DAY 14 of 25 Days of Book Reviews
Genre: Middle Grade, Graphic Novel, Memoir, Nonfiction Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Recommend to Others?: Yes
You are viewing: When Stars Are Scattered Characters
ABOUT: Heartbreak and hope exist together in this remarkable graphic novel about growing up in a refugee camp, as told by a Somali refugee to the Newbery Honor-winning creator of Roller Girl.
Omar and his younger brother, Hassan, have spent most of their lives in Dadaab, a refugee camp in Kenya. Life is hard there: never enough food, achingly dull, and without access to the medical care Omar knows his nonverbal brother needs. So when Omar has the opportunity to go to school, he knows it might be a chance to change their future . . . but it would also mean leaving his brother, the only family member he has left, every day.
Heartbreak, hope, and gentle humor exist together in this graphic novel about a childhood spent waiting, and a young man who is able to create a sense of family and home in the most difficult of settings. It’s an intimate, important, unforgettable look at the day-to-day life of a refugee, as told to New York Times Bestselling author/artist Victoria Jamieson by Omar Mohamed, the Somali man who lived the story.
Read more : When To Start Cilantro Seeds Indoors
“Those who are lost look to the stars to lead them home.”
Heartbreaking, poignant, and hopeful, When Stars Are Scattered is a graphic memoir that chronicles Omar Mohamed’s childhood as a refugee after fleeing the civil war in Somalia (1991-present).
Omar takes care of his younger brother, Hassan, while they wait for their mom to return, so they can return to their farm in Somalia. Meanwhile, we experience his life while at the refugee camp and the many challenges he faced, such as the anxiety over the care of his brother who is nonverbal and has seizures and getting an education.
We also get glimpses on how the war camp life affects different people. Admits the fear, anger, and despair, there’s lots of waiting for something better, of that one day someday. When they can all finally go home. A shared, persistent hope and love.
It’s not just the story of a refugee, but of a son wanting his family whole again. A brother who had to grow up fast in order to take care of his sibling. A child lost in the dark just trying to find their way home again.
Read more : How Old Was Samuel When God Called Him
When Stars Are Scattered was fantastically adapted and told. Omar’s story was very effective as a graphic novel (a visual view of the refugee crisis) for a middle grade audience (given his time as a refugee was a majority of his childhood). Memoirs, biographies, and such have never been my cup of tea, but in this format the story was more accessible to me.
When Stars Are Scattered was an incredibly engaging read about a truly inspiring person. I wholeheartedly recommend this heartbreaking and poignant story of unrelenting hope. I also recommend reading the afterword and Omar and Victoria’s notes too.
Favorite Quotes:
- (p.37) “I remember this star, though. Maybe it’s not even a real memory, but this star makes me feel safe, like my mom and dad are nearby. I used to actually talk to the star, which seems really childish to me now. Still, feeling like my parents are close makes it easier to make big decisions.”
- (p.111) “We may be refugees and orphans, but we are not alone. God has given us the gift of love.”
- (p.212) “I thought back to what Jeri told me, years ago. None of us ask to be born where we are, or how we are. The challenge of life is to make the most out of what you’ve been given. And despite all of the things I don’t have…I have been given something very important. The love of others is a gift from God, and it shouldn’t be taken for granted.”
- (p.255) “Those who are lost look to the stars to lead them home.“
More by Victoria Jamieson
All’s Faire in Middle School
AS ALWAYS, HAPPY READING!!! CONNECT WITH ME | Goodreads | Instagram
Source: https://t-tees.com
Category: WHEN
