The Flying Classroom

By Erich Kästner
Translated by Anthea Bell 

"It’s not the most famous book by the author of Emil and the Detectives but it’s his best… breathes new life into the school story"  —Alex O’Connell, Books of the Year The Times

"Atmospheric… bittersweet… a memorable exploration of bravery, boyhood and friendships"  —Wall Street Journal

Martin’s school is no ordinary school. There are snowball fights, kidnappings, cakes, a parachute jump, a mysterious man called ‘No-Smoking’ who lives in a railway carriage and a play about a flying classroom.

As the Christmas holidays draw near, Martin and his friends – nervous Uli, cynical Sebastian, Johnny, who was rescued by a sea captain, and Matthias, who is always hungry (particularly after a meal) – are preparing for the end-of-term festivities. But there are surprises, sadness and trouble on the way – and a secret that changes everything.

The Flying Classroom is a magical, thrilling and bittersweet story about friendship, fun and being brave when you are at your most scared. (It also features a calf called Eduard, but you will have to read it to find out why.)

Paperback 
160 pages
Pushkin Children's Books, 2025
5.08 x 7.77 inches
ISBN 9781782694656
Children's Books