When Stars Are Scattered by Victoria Jamieson and Omar Mohamed

 

 

When Stars Are Scattered Cover Art


    The other novel I chose for this week is also focused on two brothers. This time, the story is told from the perspective of Omar, the older brother. Omar tells the reader about how he and his younger brother Hassan were separated from their parents in Somalia, and how they now live in a refugee camp in Kenya. Omar does not attend school most of his childhood because he has to take care of Hassan. Hassan has epilepsy, and can only say the word "Hooyo", which is Somali for "home" or "mother". Omar tries to remain hopeful and talks often about the life they will live whenever they get out of the refugee camp and find their Mother. Omar's day-to-day life is changed whenever he is offered a chance to go to school with the other kids. Omar really enjoys school overall- and is a fast learner. He realizes he needs his education if he is ever going to do anything with his life when he finally leaves the refugee camp.  Throughout the novel we see Omar grow up in the refugee camp, and it is not until he is a young adult that he and Hassan fly to North America. 

    This book is beautiful, but a heart breaker. Before reading, I knew that refugee camps could be rough. What I did not realize is how many people are there for 10+ years. There are many children who spend their entire childhood in a refugee camp, and never know any kind of life outside of it.


    For classroom use, I think this could be a really great book. The main character is about middle school age in the beginning, and he goes through a lot of development and feelings that students could relate to. Additionally, it addresses Somalian culture (as well as some other African countries) which is not discussed very often in American classrooms. I also see it being a great novel about perseverance and hard work. This novel serves as a reminder that no matter how old you are, you are capable of amazing things. Sometimes, I think students need to be reminded of that, especially if they are facing adversity.

    

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