Please note that this video contains a direct quote from Refugee Boy, including language which may offend and themes that may be triggering for some pupils. Teacher review is recommended prior to use in class.
ALEXANDER VLAHOS:Everyone around you has a story if you just stop and ask them, and books are a brilliant way of discovering some of those stories. Stories like Alem's, in this book, called Refugee Boy. Alem's mother is from Eritrea, a country in Africa, and Alem's father is from Ethiopia, the country just over the border. When a war breaks out between these two countries,
ALEXANDER VLAHOS:neither place is safe for Alem and his parents. Alem is just 14, and is in real danger.
ALEXANDER VLAHOS:"Alem looked on terrified as the soldier shot a number of bullets into the floor around the feet of his mother and father. His father screamed with fear. 'Please, leave us!' 'We only want peace.'
ALEXANDER VLAHOS:The soldier continued shouting, 'Are you Eritrean or Ethiopian?' 'Tell us, we want to know.' 'I am an African,' Alem's mother replied. The soldier raised his rifle, and pointed it at Alem's mother. 'You are a traitor.' He turned and pointed the rifle at Alem's father.
ALEXANDER VLAHOS:'And he is the enemy.' Then he turned and pointed the rifle at Alem's forehead. 'And he is a mongrel."
ALEXANDER VLAHOS:With hatred and war all around them, Alem's dad does something very brave. He brings Alem to Britain and leaves him here, so he won't die in the fighting back at home. Britain isn't Alem's home so he must become a refugee here, and that life is hard. Full of shocks and new experiences,
ALEXANDER VLAHOS:appearing in court in front of judges, having his fingerprints taken, and questions. Questions all the time. And then there's new lessons at the new school. New people, new music. Even the diet is new. Meat and two veg, and gravy just to keep the food wet. But Alem does get a new foster family,
ALEXANDER VLAHOS:here where I am, in Manor Park in East London. And these are the streets that Alem walks, taking it one day at a time. Never forgetting everything he has left behind. Alem missed seeing animals that weren't just pets. He missed the sounds of home, he missed the smell of its earth, the smell of its people and even the smell of its cities.
ALEXANDER VLAHOS:But the home Alem loves is a war zone. And suddenly, he can't believe it. Alem discovers his new home, Britain, may be about to send him back there.
ALEXANDER VLAHOS:While Alem is facing all of these new challenges, he's slowly starting to make new friends. I really like this part of the book, with Alem and his foster sister, Ruth. Alem shows Ruth a photo of him and his parents.
ALEXANDER VLAHOS:"How old were you when this was taken?' she asked, looking at the happiness on the faces. '12,' Alem replied. 'Do you have any more photos?' 'No, just that one, and that one is wearing out' 'because it has been in my bag,' 'in my pockets, under my pillow, and I keep holding it.' 'Come here and watch me,' Ruth said, smiling.
ALEXANDER VLAHOS:Alem stood over her as she booted up the computer and began to work. Her speed and expertise astounded him. Within 20 minutes, she had scanned in the photo and made it into his desktop image. 'There you go' she said, leaning back to admire her handiwork. 'From now on, every time you boot up your computer,' 'that's what you'll get.'
ALEXANDER VLAHOS:Alem thought it was wonderful." I really wanted to read that part of the book to you, because this story is about acceptance, for Alem to be accepted as part of Britain but in that particular section, Alem gets accepted by his foster sister, Ruth. And from that moment onwards, their relationship does blossom. So this book might seem like a serious read
ALEXANDER VLAHOS:but I assure you it's not. It's full of humour, and the roller-coaster ride that you go on with Alem. It's definitely, definitely one to read.
ALEXANDER VLAHOS:Alem is honest and brave. He fights to stay alive. He fights back. So do his new friends, here in Manor Park. So if you read Refugee Boy, you can meet Alem and discover the rest of his story yourself.
ALEXANDER VLAHOS:'I think that's why books are so fantastic. 'Because they tell the stories of extraordinary people. 'People I bet you see around you every day. 'And you're one of those people too. 'So, after reading someone else's story, 'why not sit down and write one of your own? 'A story about you.'
Video summary
Actor Alexander Vlahos reads extracts from 'Refugee Boy' by Benjamin Zephaniah, explaining why he loves the book, how it captured his imagination, and why he loves to read.
The real and animated worlds collide to reveal the wonder that is contained within the book.
Alexander explores the world of the novel in the very place it is set: Manor Park in East London.
This clip is from the series Bringing Books to Life 2.
Please note that this video contains a direct quote from Refugee Boy, including language which may offend and themes that may be triggering for some pupils. Teacher review is recommended prior to use in class.
Refugee Boy Teacher Notes
KS3 English Discussion Questions
Before watching the video:
- When you hear the word ‘refugee’, what thoughts or images come to your mind?
- Do you know anyone who has had to leave their home country due to conflict or difficult circumstances?
- How important is it to understand and empathise with the experiences of people from different cultures?
While watching the video:
- Pause at 00:47 - From which countries do Alem's parents come from?
- Pause at 02:17 - How does Alem's father help him escape the conflict in their home country?
- Pause at 05:00 - What does being a ‘refugee’ mean? Where exactly does Alem grow up in the UK?
After watching the video:
- How do you think being a young refugee, like Alem, differs from the experience of an adult refugee?
- Did watching this video change anything about your understanding of refugees’ experiences?
- How can we, as individuals and communities, support and create a welcoming environment for refugees?
KS3 English Activity Suggestions
- Create a Personal Diary: Step into Alem's shoes and record a series of diary entries recounting a week in his life as a young refugee in London. Share your thoughts, feelings, challenges and moments of hope he has.
- Research and Report on Real-Life Refugees: Choose a real-life refugee story and research their experiences. Present a report to the class, focusing on their challenges, achievements and the impact of their journey.
- Organise a Fundraising Event: Collaborate with your classmates to hold a fundraising event in your school to support organisations aiding refugees. Present your plans and ideas to the local community to increase awareness.
Take a look at our 500 Words resources for further inspiration around story writing.
These videos contribute to the current national curriculum requirements in:
- England - KS3 English: Develop positive attitudes to reading and understanding of what they read.
- Northern, Ireland - KS3 Language and Literacy: Extend the range of their reading and develop their own preferences.
- Scotland - 3rd Level Literacy and English: Reading - Enjoyment and choice.
- Wales - Progression Step 4 Languages, Literacy and Communication: Literature fires imagination and inspires creativity.
These discussion questions and activity suggestions provide opportunities to develop english and geography knowledge and skills in meaningful contexts across all UK curricula, as well as global citizenship and personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education.
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