The Boy At the Back of the Class: Onjali Rauf

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Everything changes for a group of nine year olds, when new boy comes to their class. As they find out later, Ahmet is Syrian refugee with heart-breaking experiences. They try to befriend him and help him as much as they can. And whoa, their adventures will become legendary. This is a wonderful readalike to Wonder. I love the messages of having the courage to stand up to bullies and the importance of being an ally for people in need. ❤️❤️

I know it is middle grade but I’ll recommend it to all the grown-ups. It is never late to read a thing or two about Humanity from a child perspective. Humanity isn’t that complicated if you’ll try to make things simple. This book is filled with all those small acts of kindness which seem small but can make a huge impact. I remember asking her, when we were a little older, if she was happy living in the states, where there was no war. She told me that if the war ever stopped, she and her family would return, because that was their home, and they missed it. But the truth is, Ahmet really isn't very strange at all. 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 be his friend.The second reading task is to write a recount of the events of playtime, from both of the character’s points of view, switching between them both.

Rauf loses the plot at this point, and the rundown to the inevitable happy ending does not ring true for one moment.I just adored how our MC immediately decided to become friends with Ahmet and that she brought him fruits and sweets to make him happy. That was just so adorable and sweet. I loved how her friends also wanted to become friends and did the same thing. I loved how easily they embraced Ahmet in their group and how they were there for him to help him out. Ten-year-old Aniyah and her little brother Noah find themselves living in foster care after the sudden disappearance of their mum. With her life in disarray, Aniyah knows just one thing for sure: her mum isn’t gone forever. I’ve been getting into trouble for as long I can remember. Usually I don’t mind ‘cos some of my best, most brilliant ideas have come from sitting in detention.