# The Boy at the Back of the Class

**Author:** Onjali Q. Raúf
**Grade range:** Grades 3–6
**Age range:** 8–11
**First published:** 2018
**Genre:** Realistic Fiction
**ISBN-13:** `9781984850782`
**ISBN-10:** `1984850784`
**Canonical URL:** https://readinglist.school/book/the-boy-at-the-back-of-the-class
**License:** [CC BY 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) — please credit ReadingList.school when citing.

## About this book

A new boy named Ahmet sits silently at the back of the class — a refugee separated from his family — so four classmates hatch a daring plan to help him. Onjali Q. Raúf's award-winning grades 3-6 novel tells a refugee story with humor and heart from a child's point of view.

## Themes

- empathy
- friendship
- immigration
- courage

## Where this book is assigned

### Battle of the Books (state reading programs)

- **recommended** · 3rd grade · North Carolina — [source: NCSLMA Elementary Battle of the Books 2025-2026 (Grades 3-5)](https://school.teachingbooks.net/tb.cgi?lid=14871)
- **recommended** · 4th grade · North Carolina — [source: NCSLMA Elementary Battle of the Books 2025-2026 (Grades 3-5)](https://school.teachingbooks.net/tb.cgi?lid=14871)
- **recommended** · 5th grade · North Carolina — [source: NCSLMA Elementary Battle of the Books 2025-2026 (Grades 3-5)](https://school.teachingbooks.net/tb.cgi?lid=14871)

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