49 pages • 1 hour read
The Boy at the Back of the Class
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Chapters 1-6Chapter Summaries & Analyses
Content Warning: This section of the guide includes depictions of bullying, racism, and death.
Chapter 1 Summary: “The Empty Chair”
Nine-year-old Alexa starts the new semester in Mrs. Khan’s class. One of her favorite things about school is getting school supplies with her mom—whom Alexa calls Mum—on their Sunday adventures. One year, she got an astronaut ruler. This year, she gets Tintin-themed supplies.
Another thing Alexa likes about school is spending time with her three best friends, Tom, Josie, and Michael. Tom is from America. Josie is smart and plays soccer, and Michael is silly and clumsy. Each of them likes different subjects, but they all get along and love playing together. This year, the friends are thrilled to be in Mrs. Khan’s class, because she’s a better teacher than their last teacher, Mr. Thompson.
Three weeks into the semester, the principal, Mrs. Sanders, visits Alexa’s class and announces that they have a new student, Ahmet. Ever since Dena moved to Wales, there has been an empty chair at the back of the classroom. Ahmet takes the empty chair. Alexa is immediately curious about him, especially because Ahmet is quiet and looks scared.
