The Boy at the Back of the Class by Onjali Q Rauf

Rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

A wonderful and timely novel that will help middle graders gain some insight into the refugee crisis. Ahmet is the new boy at the back of the class. He doesn't speak English and he looks very sad. A group of his classmates befriend Ahmet and learn that he is a refugee. They are inspired by his story to come up with a brave and risky mission to try to help Ahmet and his family. I read this to my kids (boy age 9 and girl age 11) and we all loved it. Filled with adventure, humor and loads of compassion. 

Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette Books for allowing me to read an advance copy of this novel in exchange for my honest opinion.

Enjoyable by kids and parents: Yes
Kids chose reading over extra screen time: Yes
Offensive Language: None
Violence: Some - there is some hitting and bullying.
Adult Concepts: The refugee crisis is obviously front and center in this book and while deaths are mentioned and it is heart-wrenching at times, it is handled well for the middle grade audience.
Age Range: 7 and up