The Boy at the Back of the Class Character Analysis

Alexa (The Narrator)

Nine-year-old Alexa is the protagonist of The Boy at the Back of the Class, although her name isn’t revealed until the end of the novel. She is curious, adventurous, kind, and brave. When a… read analysis of Alexa (The Narrator)

Ahmet Saqqal

Ahmet is a young refugee from Syria. He lived there with his mum, dad, younger sister, and cat until a war broke out and made it too dangerous for them to stay. So, Ahmet and… read analysis of Ahmet Saqqal

Alexa’s Mum

Alexa’s mum is smart and hardworking. She has two jobs: on weekdays, she works as a librarian, and on Saturdays, she works as a nurse. Even though she’s busy, she always makes time for Alexa… read analysis of Alexa’s Mum

Alexa’s Dad

Alexa’s dad, who was born in Austria and worked as a carpenter, died in a car crash when Alexa was six years old. Alexa remembers her dad as funny, talkative, and good at storytelling. He… read analysis of Alexa’s Dad

Mrs. Khan

Mrs. Khan is Alexa’s teacher. She’s kind and smart, and she organizes fun new projects for her students to work on. When Ahmet joins her class, she does her best to make him feel… read analysis of Mrs. Khan

Brendan the Bully

Brendan the Bully is one of Alexa’s classmates and one of the novel’s antagonists. He’s mean, and he hates people who are different from him. He beats up anyone who is smaller than him… read analysis of Brendan the Bully

Josie

Josie is one of Alexa’s best friends. Tall, brown-eyed, and freckled, she’s fast and good at soccer and math. She and Alexa have known each other since preschool. Josie has loyally stuck by Alexa’s… read analysis of Josie

Tom

Tom is one of Alexa’s best friends. He is short and skinny with spiky hair, and he’s the funniest of his friend group. He and his family—including his parents and three older brothers—moved to… read analysis of Tom

Michael

Michael is one of Alexa’s best friends. He has a neat Afro, comes from a rich family, and is quiet and smart. His best subject is history. Because he’s clumsy and bad at sports… read analysis of Michael

Uncle Lenny

Uncle Lenny is Alexa’s mum’s brother. He has always been there for Alexa and her mum, but even more so ever since Alexa’s dad died. He visits them every week, often bringing Alexa treats… read analysis of Uncle Lenny

The Man in the Red Turban

The man in the red turban is the owner of a small shop that sells all kinds of fruits and vegetables. He’s funny, kind, and friendly, and he generously offers Alexa two pomegranates for free… read analysis of The Man in the Red Turban

Mrs. Sanders

Mrs. Sanders is the school principal. She’s a serious and stern disciplinarian, so many students are scared of her. At the same time, she also looks out for her students. She works with Mrs. Khan… read analysis of Mrs. Sanders

Lieutenant Chris Taylor

Lieutenant Taylor is one of the Queen’s special guards who wear red uniforms and large furry hats. He meets Alexa after she interrupts the Changing of the Guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace. He gives Alexa… read analysis of Lieutenant Chris Taylor

Second Lieutenant Walter Kungu

Second Lieutenant Kungu is one of the Queen’s special guards. Along with Lieutenant Taylor, he talks to Alexa after she interrupts the Changing of the Guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace. He promises to make… read analysis of Second Lieutenant Walter Kungu

Grandma Jo

Grandma Jo is Alexa’s grandmother on her dad’s side of the family. She lived in Salzburg, Austria. During World War II, Grandma Jo was a refugee, and she helped other refugees escape from… read analysis of Grandma Jo

Mr. Irons

Mr. Irons is the strictest teacher at Alexa’s school. He has a bad temper and is notorious for bullying students. He allows Brendan the Bully to get away with mean behavior, while he unfairly… read analysis of Mr. Irons

Mr. Greggs

Mr. Greggs is one of Alexa’s neighbors in her apartment building. He believes refugees and immigrants just want benefits without having to work for anything. He berates Alexa and her mum for trying to… read analysis of Mr. Greggs

Ms. Hemsi

Ms. Hemsi is the new assistant in Mrs. Khan’s class who helps Ahmet at school. Like Ahmet, Ms. Hemsi is Syrian and speaks Kurdish, so she translates for him as he’s still learning English… read analysis of Ms. Hemsi

Minor Characters

The Woman in the Red Scarf (Ms. York)

The woman in the red scarf is Ahmet’s foster mother. Her name is Ms. York. She waits on the playground to pick up Ahmet from school every day. Besides caring for Ahmet, she also works with charities and the government to help reunite Ahmet with his family.

Mr. Brown

Mr. Brown is one of the teachers at Alexa’s school. Alexa hears him say that he feels sorry for Ahmet because Ahmet is a refugee who had to flee from a terrible war. Mr. Brown disapproves of Mrs. Grimsby’s prejudice against refugees.

Mr. Fry

Mr. Fry is a member of Parliament who believes the country shouldn’t accept any refugees. He makes headline news by denouncing Alexa and Tom as “radical refugee terrorists” after they go to Buckingham Palace to try to help Ahmet.

Mrs. Grimsby

Mrs. Grimsby is one of the teachers at Alexa’s school. Alexa hears her say that refugees are untrustworthy and greedy because they come to the UK just to take British people’s jobs.

The Boy at the Back of the Class Characters