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The Girl at the Front of the Class
The debut picture book from Onjali Q. Raúf, the bestselling and award-winning author of The Boy at the Back of the Class.
There's a new girl in my class. She has eyes as wide and as golden as a tiger's, a face as pale as a glass of milk, and hair as shiny as a mirror. I'd like to be her friend. But she never wants to play with me in the playground or makes sandcastles in the sandpit.
The cleverest people I know say that the new girl is sad because she had to leave her home, her family, her school, her toys, her books and all her friends too.
But I've got a plan! There's something I can do to make her feel better when she's missing everything she's left behind . . .
This heartfelt story about the power of friendship and kindness shows young children what steps they can take to make refugee children feel welcome.
There's a new girl in my class. She has eyes as wide and as golden as a tiger's, a face as pale as a glass of milk, and hair as shiny as a mirror. I'd like to be her friend. But she never wants to play with me in the playground or makes sandcastles in the sandpit.
The cleverest people I know say that the new girl is sad because she had to leave her home, her family, her school, her toys, her books and all her friends too.
But I've got a plan! There's something I can do to make her feel better when she's missing everything she's left behind . . .
This heartfelt story about the power of friendship and kindness shows young children what steps they can take to make refugee children feel welcome.
- GenresChildrensPicture Books
36 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 12, 2024
2 people are currently reading
52 people want to read
About the author
Onjali Q. Raúf
27 books285 followersOnjali Q. Rauf is the founder of Making Herstory, an organisation mobilising men, women and children from all walks of life to tackle the abuse and trafficking of women and girls in the UK and beyond. In her spare time she delivers emergency aid convoys for refugee families surviving in Calais and Dunkirk, and supports interfaith projects.
Her first novel, The Boy at the Back of the Class, has sold over 100,000 copies and won multiple awards. Her second book, The Star Outside My Window, publishes in October 2019.
Her first novel, The Boy at the Back of the Class, has sold over 100,000 copies and won multiple awards. Her second book, The Star Outside My Window, publishes in October 2019.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
September 21, 2024
It began with a knock on the classroom door.
The children looked up to see a small shadow waiting outside.
This shadow was a girl with pale skin, shiny hair, and wide eyes. Their teacher asks them to be kind, but the new girl doesn't return their smiles.
One boy tries hard to befriend her, but still, she hardly takes any notice of what's happening around her. All she will do is draw. But the things she drew were surprising to her classmate - upsetting things and lots of tears.
He wants to know why she is drawing such things, and begins to learn about his classmate and her recent past. She still won't speak.
All at once, he finally realises a way to make her smile.
This picture book is a companion to the multi-award winning novel - The Boy at the Back of the Class.
The heart-wrenching themes of war, loss, grief and powerlessness are gently portrayed on the page through a young girl's drawings. These are the only way she can try and process what has happened in her life.
Another student can see she is scared, feeling lost and scared to meet anyone's gaze. His acceptance, understanding, empathy and kindness is what finally breaks through to her as he uses something she knows and enjoys to engage with her.
The Girl at the Front of the Class is relatable to younger children, easily opening discussions about empathy and understanding for refugees and asylum seekers.
A gentle but powerful, full-colour picture book.
The children looked up to see a small shadow waiting outside.
This shadow was a girl with pale skin, shiny hair, and wide eyes. Their teacher asks them to be kind, but the new girl doesn't return their smiles.
One boy tries hard to befriend her, but still, she hardly takes any notice of what's happening around her. All she will do is draw. But the things she drew were surprising to her classmate - upsetting things and lots of tears.
He wants to know why she is drawing such things, and begins to learn about his classmate and her recent past. She still won't speak.
All at once, he finally realises a way to make her smile.
This picture book is a companion to the multi-award winning novel - The Boy at the Back of the Class.
The heart-wrenching themes of war, loss, grief and powerlessness are gently portrayed on the page through a young girl's drawings. These are the only way she can try and process what has happened in her life.
Another student can see she is scared, feeling lost and scared to meet anyone's gaze. His acceptance, understanding, empathy and kindness is what finally breaks through to her as he uses something she knows and enjoys to engage with her.
The Girl at the Front of the Class is relatable to younger children, easily opening discussions about empathy and understanding for refugees and asylum seekers.
A gentle but powerful, full-colour picture book.
September 4, 2024
Loved the book. Beautifully written with amazing pictures. Got the book in return for honest review from topstta give away.
Even though the book is written with the girl being a refugee, even as an immigrant I found it very relatable. Would never forget the colleagues of mine who were extra kind to me. <3
Can't wait to read it with my neieces
Even though the book is written with the girl being a refugee, even as an immigrant I found it very relatable. Would never forget the colleagues of mine who were extra kind to me. <3
Can't wait to read it with my neieces
February 11, 2025
What a gorgeous book, that explains how children who are refugees due to war or displacement, can be affected, and how one young child just wants to be their friend. The pictures Layla draws of her displacement from her home, I was stunned by, at the terrible imagery, though it all works out well in the end.
October 5, 2025
Vidunderlig bok! Har jo lest meg opp på hans univers, men ikke fått lest så mange av bøkenen enda, tok med meg flere hjem fra denne turen. Vet at boken om gutten brukes i mange klasserom for litt eldre elever, denne derimot passer perfekt inn i klasserommet for de litt mindre elevene. En flott bok om vennskap, tålmodighet og det å flykte.
November 13, 2025
prentenboek over een gevlucht meisje. ze komt nieuw in de klas. haar klasgenootje wil haar zich welkom laten voelen.
met mooie compacte tips voor kinderen om zelf te gebruiken.
thema: vluchten, vrienden maken, je welkom voelen
met mooie compacte tips voor kinderen om zelf te gebruiken.
thema: vluchten, vrienden maken, je welkom voelen
November 22, 2024
Mooi prentenboek over een meisje (vluchteling) dat nieuw in de klas komt. Hoe help je haar om zich een beetje thuis te gaan voelen?
December 9, 2024
Dit prentenboek kan heel hulpzaam zijn om
kinderen in een klas begrip te geven voor nieuwe klasgenoten die gevlucht zijn uit een ander land.
kinderen in een klas begrip te geven voor nieuwe klasgenoten die gevlucht zijn uit een ander land.
December 17, 2024
Mooi~ Korte review volgt.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews