The Boy at the Back of the Class
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Description
TRANSLATED INTO 20+ LANGUAGES
WINNER OF THE BLUE PETER BOOK AWARD (UK) 2019
WINNER OF THE WATERSTONES CHILDREN'S BOOK PRIZE (UK) 2019
WINNER OF THE SAKURA MEDAL (JAPAN) 2020
WINNER OF THE CHILDREN'S COWBELL AWARD (SWITZERLAND) 2021
WINNER OF THE PRIX JANUSZ KORCZAK PRIZE (FRANCE) 2022
THE BOY AT THE BACK OF THE CLASS STAGE PLAY NOMINATED FOR AN OLIVIER (UK) 2026
'There used to be an empty chair at the back of my class, but now a new boy called Ahmet is sitting in it. He's a refugee who's run away from a War. A real one. With bombs and fires and bullies that hurt people. And the more I find out about him, the more I want to help ...
That's where my best friends Josie, Michael and Tom come in. Because you see, together we've come up with a plan...'
On a perfectly ordinary school day, something extraordinary happens: a boy with pale skin, lion eyes and a tattered red rucksack walks in. Unable to speak English and seated at the back of the class, Ahmet 'the refugee kid' becomes the perfect target for bullies and rumours alike.
But Ahmet has also captured the attention and empathy of a fellow classmate, who will do anything to help him find his family. Even if that involves a plan - or five, and the Queen herself!
Told with heart and humour, The Boy at the Back of the Class is a child's perspective on the refugee crisis, highlighting the importance of friendship and kindness in a world that doesn't always make sense.
With beautiful illustrations by Pippa Curnick
*BEAUTIFUL GOLD FOIL ANNIVERSARY EDITION NOW AVAILABLE - FIND IT UNDER 'ALL FORMATS AND EDITIONS'*
Book Information
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„The entire world is full of hearts searching for a place to call home. But refugees are different, because they don’t just look for a home. They look for peace too. And because of that, they possess the most special hearts anyone could ever have.“ Ein wirklich warmherziges Buch über Freundschaft, Familie, Ausgrenzung, Mobbing und der Suche nach Gerechtigkeit und Wahrheit. Definitiv auch für kleinere Leser empfehlenswert.
(Started reading this book a while back, but life got in the way. But due to the encouragement of my eldest Goddaughter (trust me, I'll read any book recommendation make by my godchildren) I continued to read. I'm so glad I did, because this is perhaps one of the best books I've read in a long time, and I'm not just talking about books aimed at a younger audience either! I'm not aware of another kids author who quite so sublimely slips into mindset of a child so effortlessly! It shines with empathy and compassion, and could teach an adult a thing or two, and not just kids.
Description
TRANSLATED INTO 20+ LANGUAGES
WINNER OF THE BLUE PETER BOOK AWARD (UK) 2019
WINNER OF THE WATERSTONES CHILDREN'S BOOK PRIZE (UK) 2019
WINNER OF THE SAKURA MEDAL (JAPAN) 2020
WINNER OF THE CHILDREN'S COWBELL AWARD (SWITZERLAND) 2021
WINNER OF THE PRIX JANUSZ KORCZAK PRIZE (FRANCE) 2022
THE BOY AT THE BACK OF THE CLASS STAGE PLAY NOMINATED FOR AN OLIVIER (UK) 2026
'There used to be an empty chair at the back of my class, but now a new boy called Ahmet is sitting in it. He's a refugee who's run away from a War. A real one. With bombs and fires and bullies that hurt people. And the more I find out about him, the more I want to help ...
That's where my best friends Josie, Michael and Tom come in. Because you see, together we've come up with a plan...'
On a perfectly ordinary school day, something extraordinary happens: a boy with pale skin, lion eyes and a tattered red rucksack walks in. Unable to speak English and seated at the back of the class, Ahmet 'the refugee kid' becomes the perfect target for bullies and rumours alike.
But Ahmet has also captured the attention and empathy of a fellow classmate, who will do anything to help him find his family. Even if that involves a plan - or five, and the Queen herself!
Told with heart and humour, The Boy at the Back of the Class is a child's perspective on the refugee crisis, highlighting the importance of friendship and kindness in a world that doesn't always make sense.
With beautiful illustrations by Pippa Curnick
*BEAUTIFUL GOLD FOIL ANNIVERSARY EDITION NOW AVAILABLE - FIND IT UNDER 'ALL FORMATS AND EDITIONS'*
Book Information
Posts
„The entire world is full of hearts searching for a place to call home. But refugees are different, because they don’t just look for a home. They look for peace too. And because of that, they possess the most special hearts anyone could ever have.“ Ein wirklich warmherziges Buch über Freundschaft, Familie, Ausgrenzung, Mobbing und der Suche nach Gerechtigkeit und Wahrheit. Definitiv auch für kleinere Leser empfehlenswert.
(Started reading this book a while back, but life got in the way. But due to the encouragement of my eldest Goddaughter (trust me, I'll read any book recommendation make by my godchildren) I continued to read. I'm so glad I did, because this is perhaps one of the best books I've read in a long time, and I'm not just talking about books aimed at a younger audience either! I'm not aware of another kids author who quite so sublimely slips into mindset of a child so effortlessly! It shines with empathy and compassion, and could teach an adult a thing or two, and not just kids.