"The Boy At the Back of the Class"

Onjali Rauf skillfully empowers children through this story book, to become aware of and understand a humanitarian crisis that the world has repeatedly seen- the refugee crisis. While children's newspapers play a critical role in helping them to keep abreast of what is happening in the world, books such as this one show children beyond headlines or snippets. This book in particular shows how an act of empathy such as an effort to reach out as a friend to help a new kid fit in, goes a long way.

What if every child could recognize that another person is going through a hard time?

While helping another person might be the kindest thing to do, what if it impacts one's own welfare or that of one's own people? How about thinking of an alternative way together? Here is a perfect book for discussions amongst young readers.

Source: Amazon

A new student in class. He shies away from everyone. He has trouble with the language the others speak. He needs a translator. He is kept in seclusion. What could be his story?

Every one of us either have been a new student somewhere or have seen a new student in our own classrooms. Nothing unusual about it. As we read this book further and learnt more about how everything about this boy at the back of the class was unusual, we had to find out what his story is.

Who is a refugee?

One of the first questions that came up as more details about him got revealed. After a brief explanation we read further only to find a far more impactful definition of refugees, the most common reasons why they are driven out of their own countries, the hardships they face on the way and seek refuge in a new country. War rings loud as a reason.

The author gently also introduces the other angle to the picture. Refugees are here to stay in the host country. Which means they need new lives. Which means, new jobs, access to basic facilities, the list is long. How does that impact the people in the host country? For starters, we learn from one of the characters, available jobs have more competition.

"That maybe so. But we must be human. We must offer help. These people have been through a lot. They have lost so much," said a middle schooler while we read and discussed this portion.

Hard to disagree with that. But at what cost?

Understanding the big picture

There is always more than what meets the eye. The most obvious way forward need not be the best one. One needs to learn to consider the implications. Isn't this an important skill for life? After all children too need to take important decisions as they grow up. Considering the effect of their choices on themselves as well as on others is important. What's a better way to learn that than being a third party having a first row seat to someone else's story?

Things we tend to take for granted

If you start listing, I am sure it is likely to be a never ending list. When children read about how things they take for granted, such as access to a good school, friends, the security of a home to go to, assured food, etc; are not available to other children for no fault of theirs, it makes readers treasure what they have even more. Another valuable lesson.

We have finished about 30% of the book so far. Theories have been laid out about where he is from. Credit to all the young readers for their patience. A Google search or an AI bot could tell them right away. But what's the fun there if there is no big reveal in the story as we discover little by little?

Stay tuned for more accounts of what we discover, discuss and exchange in our reading sessions going forward.

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The Young Readers' Club is a book club for the 8-12 age group. We also do vocabulary building activities and mini writing lessons for a little variety!

Writing programs for the 9-12 age group- Young Writers' Club Jr.  

The Young Writers' Club program for the 13-16 age group offers a weekly platform to read and discuss curated articles from the news, observe writing approaches and practise one's writing skills.

NEW! Tween Tribune  is an online magazine for the Young Writers' Club (Jr.) program for tweens. Weekly updates of our discussions are published. Once in 6 months, the best of writing by the tween members is made available to read.

 NEW! Musings from the Young Writers' Club is an online magazine showcasing the work we do at the Young Writers' Club.