The Boy at the Back of the Class

When a quiet new boy named Ahmed joins Alexa's class in London, his classmates are curious about why he keeps to himself and avoids lunch and recess. Alexa and her friends soon learn that Ahmed is a refugee from Syria who does not speak English and has endured frightening losses, including being separated from his parents after fleeing war. As they slowly befriend him with the help of a translator, they begin to understand his painful journey and his loneliness. Determined to help, Alexa and her friends create a brave plan to speak up for Ahmed when they learn that the United Kingdom may close its borders to refugees. Along the way, Alexa faces bullying and prejudice, including hurtful comments about her own Indonesian background. She also discovers that her grandmother was once a refugee during World War II, helping her see that refugee stories span generations. The novel sensitively introduces young readers to the refugee experience, encouraging empathy, courage, and standing up for what is right, while also providing background information and discussion questions about refugees and how to help.