Orion Children’s Books ISBN 9781510105010 £6.99
An accomplished novel for children aged 9-11 examining the issues surrounding the current refugee problem. Onjali Q Raúf has created a very recognisable group of friends and their classroom life through her careful characterisation and descriptions of events. Most children will recognise the school bully, the unpopular teacher and the respected adults in the school environment as well as the intricacies of friendships and family life. Four children are keen to make friends with a new boy who has arrived in their Year 5 class at a school in London. The new pupil, Ahmet, is a mystery. He is uncommunicative and frightened, spending all his time with an adult helper. Slowly the friends discover that he is a refugee from Syria and that he is living in Britain without his parents. So begins an excellently handled exploration of the issues surrounding the refugee situation, and a resolution for Ahmet is reached through the straightforward problem solving skills of four nine year olds. This novel is full of wonderful opportunities for PHSE work as well as looking into how the media works and asking questions about the ways in which facts can be skewed to fuel bigotry and ignorance. It also sends out a strong message that ordinary people can make a difference where it is needed. Highly recommended as an important read for both older children and adults.
Helen Cook, retired KS2 teacher at St Illtyd’s Primary School, Llantwit Major