Age rating and parents' guide:The Boy at the Back of the Class
by Onjali Q. Rauf
Ages 9–14
The Boy at the Back of the Class by Onjali Q. Rauf is best for children aged 9–14. It has mild violence, a few mildly scary moments, no romance and no bad language. Worth knowing: Refugee backstory.
When nine-year-old Ahmet arrives in their classroom, an empty seat at the back is finally filled. He does not speak English and rarely smiles, but a determined group of classmates soon discovers that he is a refugee who fled war in Syria and became separated from his family. Deciding to be his friends, the children hatch a bold plan to help reunite him with his parents. Told with warmth, humour, and innocence, this uplifting story gives young readers an accessible look at empathy, friendship, and the refugee crisis.
Content ratings
How much of each a parent can expect, from none to strong.
- Violence
- Mild
- Scary moments
- Mild
- Romance
- None
- Bad language
- None
Worth knowing: Refugee backstory
Content checked by Dhiraj Bodade, co-founder of Bookstaken, on .
At a glance
- Early chapter book
- Easy to get into from the first page
- Plenty of illustrations
- Emotionally light
- A good pick for reluctant readers
Great for kids who like
- Realistic Fiction (School & Friendships)
- School life
- Friendship
Reading mood
- Thoughtful
Good to talk about
- Friendship
- Family
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