Frieda Pinto, Vanessa Redgrave to star in The Boy at the Back of the Class

Frieda Pinto and Vanessa Redgrave are the latest to join the cast of The Boy at the Back of the Class, which is based on the acclaimed children's book of the same name written by Onjali Q Rauf.

Stephen Herek is set to direct the film, which revolves around a mysterious boy called Ahmet who joins nine-year-old Alexa's school. As Alexa learns that he is a refugee, separated from his family, she will do anything she can to help. With the adults out of the way, Alexa and her school friends come up with a daring plan to reunite Ahmet with his family ' the start of an adventure that will take them all the way to Buckingham Palace, the official plotline reads.

Penned by screenwriter Tim John, The Boy at the Back of the Class is backed by Adam Rolston and David Braithwaite of Studio Pictures. Nicola Pearcey of Picnik Entertainment and Paul Grindey are onboard the project as the executive producers.