When Stars Are Scattered | 
“When Omar Mohamed was a boy living in the Dadaab refugee camp in Kenya, he loved picture books. But his school only had about three or four; the teachers brought them out for the children to read just a few times a year. Now he's the star of his own picture book...“ I found an NPR article about Mohamed and I thought that this part was full circle, especially considering how Omar felt about school initially. I'm so happy for the brothers success.
pickI really enjoyed this book and I would certainly have it in my classroom library. I like how the book was able to discuss difficult topics in an approachable manner without stripping them of emotional depth. I really enjoyed graphic novels in middle school because of how the illustrations helped the story come to life. I also liked how this was a memoir; I think it would fit great into a memoir unit to add some variety.
Fatuma's dedication to the boys was so sweet and inspiring. When she found out about Hassan's seizures she stepped up to the plate instead of being discouraged by the other women's comments or even by the n nature of the situation, Fatuma provides for the boys. She then tells them about her own boys who were killed. I teared up when Fatuma cryied over how the goat died because she “want a good enough mother.“
This part of the story reminded me partially of the part of “Solito“ when Javier is interviewed by immigration with the neighborhood man who was pretending that Javier was his son. Both scenes capture the discomfort of being under scrutiny knowing that the result of the interview could change your life forever.
When I reached the end of the novel, I found myself feeling very emotional about it all. Reading about how they reunited with their mother was so touching and heartfelt. I‘m not normally very emotional when it comes to reading so it was very moving to find myself feeling so emotional about it all. This is definitely a book I want to add to my school library. I‘m curious if its at my placement schools library.
I think it‘s really important how the author showed that Hassan was more than his disability and that he could help himself. I think it was a pivotal point where Omar realized this about Hassan and overall thought it bonded the more as well.
I really loved the choice to make this a graphic novel. It‘s more impactful this way as we are able to see wha the camps were like and how they ran. It helped me feel more connected having that visual. Using this as a medium for this work was a fantastic choice by the author.
pickThis was such a deeply moving and well illustrated story! I really loved looking into the full life experiences that Omar had throughout each step of his journey and seeing where it all took him. I'd love to include this book in a unit focusing on memoirs because it would be great to include something other than an autobiography and is great to ease into larger texts as a whole. Overall, I love it and it has so much potential in a classroom.
I've appreciated how this book has handled the extremely difficult topics which are present with everything from relocation, separation from family, poverty, homelessness, and more. It is difficult to have conversation about these topics, especially with younger audiences, and this novel especially with the graphics of everything really allows you to slowly grasp onto everything being told and allows for a deeper understanding of a hard situation.
I've been really enjoying reading this story and I think it's one of my favorites from the reading list so far. I always love the stories of family, resilience, and overcoming hardships which is all that Omar focuses on and does throughout his journey. It can be difficult to feel like your experience is relatable if there's nothing showing that same story, and I appreciate this book for how it literally shows this story for those who can relate.
I was excited to see a graphic novel on the reading list! I always leaned more towards graphic novels in middle school and I know it attracts a lot of “non-readers” like I was. I really enjoy the art style and the visual aspect always adds so many details that are so useful as the story is being told especially when it‘s an unknown experience to many.
pickI would completely recommend this book because of how powerful the message of this novel is. It teaches students how impactful and motivating an education can be, as well as the resilience it takes to pursue your dreams in the face of extreme hardships!
I love how this book touches on the hardships that women/girls face when trying to pursue their education around the world. It calls attention to the gender inequality that so many girls have to endure and how they persevere in spite of the hurdles they must face.
As I‘m reading this book, I love how colorful all the illustrations are! It really brings the book to life and the lives of the characters as well. Additionally, I love Omar‘s conviction to take care of his brother and commit himself to making their lives as easy as possible, even in the face of being without their mother. Knowing that this is a true story makes it even more admirable! Omar is definitely one of the most compelling characters!
I love the fact that this is a graphic novel! Personally, I feel like graphic novels are underutilized in the classroom because while they might seem a little juvenile, you can still tell a very meaningful story. You get insight into character descriptions, reactions, and more; which all contribute to reader comprehension and the reading experience!
The relationship between Omar and Hassan is the part of this book that I enjoyed the most. Sibling relationships are very unique and I think that the author captured that perfectly. Omar's love and care for Hassan is a central theme in this book and I think that anyone with siblings would get a lot from this book. I love the idea of using this in a middle school classroom.
I love the illustrations in this book. They have a child-like softness to them and the illustrator was very intentional about color. I recently read another graphic novel and did not notice this, but in this one the mood of the page is indicated by the primary colors of the illustrations. If the characters are sad, the page is mostly blue, scared, orange or red. This may be all graphic novels, but I thought this was a cool touch that added a lot.
I think that something very special about this book is the range of trials that the characters are experiencing. This book tackles subjects such as homelessness, disability, being separated from family, and so much more. While I don't think that they're experience as a whole is relatable to every young reader, these characters overcome so much in this book that I do think that young readers could see themselves in some parts of these characters.
pickI just finished the book and the last part was super emotional for me. I cried a few times as the story started to wrap up, especially when I saw the pictures and read the afterword where we find out that Omar and Hassan finally reunite with their mother. Maryam's poem was also very moving. Overall, I think this was such an amazing read and I would absolutely add this to my classroom library.
I liked how Omar realized that Hassan wasn't completely helpless just because he had a disability. I'm about halfway through the book, but seeing him start having more faith in Hassan and trust that others can take care of him when he can't was really great. I hope that as the story continues, we see this aspect of their relationship progress more because Omar puts a lot of pressure on himself to be a caretaker.
I think it was the right choice to tell this story as a graphic novel. The visual aspects and being able to physically see what the refugee camps were like helped me connect with the story a lot more than if it was only described. You also get to see Omar and Hassan's close bond and the way they interact with the other kids. The visual medium was very powerful.
pickI found this book to be a beautiful and empowering story about family and perseverance. Throughout this book, I found myself stunned by the gorgeous visuals and complex themes within the narrative. I love how this story focuses on the importance of education and working hard towards your goals despite your circumstances. I think this is an important story that every child should check out.
Wow, this has been my favorite book from this class! One of my favorite lines was, “The United Nations may decide whether I leave or stay…but only I could decide what I would make of my life”. Omar learned a lesson essential to living a positive life: one cannot control all aspects of their circumstances but one can control how they respond to/what they make of those circumstances. This book promotes gratitude, hope, family, and perseverance!
I have gotten to read two graphic novels over the last two weeks because of my choice reading and I am really glad that it worked out this way. Although each of these novels are very different, there is something very special about the way that graphic novels can explore scary topics extensively, but alongside the graphics I think that it can make these topics much easier to bear, especially for younger students. I really like this as a MS book.
It broke my heart when Omar thought he saw his mom in a crowd and was disappointed. He seemed ashamed of himself for having any expectation of seeing her. It made him wonder whether she had chosen to abandon them. His hopelessness and worries of being unwanted were really sad to read. Also, though Omar‘s circumstances are much more difficult than most, it was relatable how he wanted to go back to school to distract his mind from overthinking.
I really love how this graphic novel depicts people who disabilities. For instance, in chapter five, Omar‘s friend tells him that him and Hassan, people with disabilities, are not “babies” and can contribute to society like everyone else. I thought this was a very powerful moment in the novel and believe that it could benefit students who may not know how to test their disabled peers.
Omar‘s joy from finally having access to education and the way he excitedly shares his knowledge with his brother reminds me of how privileged I and many in this country are to have access to an education. Though knowledge is immaterial, it is powerful! Aside from that, jumping to another topic, I love how Omar‘s religion is incorporated into the book, as his connection with God provided hope and perspective amidst his sorrows.
pickThis is the story of Somalians Omar Mohamed and his brother Hassan, who subsist in a refugee camp in Kenya. A story that is sad but hopeful, as well as true-told to the author by Omar
#Pantone2024
#ReadAway2024
I just started reading When Stars Are Scattered! I was really surprised to find out that this was a graphic novel. I really like the art style in this book. Everything looks so colorful and playful, an interesting contrast to the content in the story. I believe that middle school students would really enjoy a book like this due to its simple format and handling complex topics in a digestible way.
I really like the detail Jamieson and Mohamed included in certain parts of this book; for example, the letters “UNHCR” on the tents. I also like how, throughout the book, the author highlights different languages- not just English.
This panel actually made me tear up, which was unexpected to be honest. I was talking with a friend yesterday about the importance of literature (he is a math major) in the world; granted, so rarely does lit lead to material wealth in any form, but so often does it make life worth living. To think that even Omar and Hassan and the other refugees found solace in stories is heartwarming, and reminds me of the interconnectedness that lit fosters.
This page made me think a lot about my grandmother, actually; she grew up in an extremely poor family with fourteen siblings, and dropped out of high school to take care of the siblings and her parents' farm. While she doesn't have the exact same story as Omar and Hassan, I think about the decisions that she had to make and the way that she fought to stay in school, even though it didn't work out for her in the end.
This moment in the graphic novel was a lot for me. Before applying to the Engl Educ major, I thought a lot about what education meant, both for me and for people around the world. Education is access, empowerment, and opportunity. I cannot relate to Omar's story here, but I can empathize; the fear and concern and the hope and the turmoil of emotions that he's feeling really hit me quite hard.
This is just a yes. Omar Mohamed first arrived in the US in my adopted hometown & graduated from the university where I work. Anyway, no book blurb will do this book justice. Must read & experience.
In a refugee camp, everything can change…and nothing can change. I‘m still here, so that hasn‘t changed.
My fourth graders watched a book trailer for this and were instantly intrigued. Many of them have read it already and are sharing the book with each other.
pickA story of two brothers who were separated from their mother during the war in Somalia. They are living in a refugee camp. The novel goes through their time in the refugee camp as they grow and have to make decisions.
pickA intriguing non fiction graphic novel
Read for:
#TheNerdDaily2022ReadingChallenge
#TheStoryGraphGenreChallenge2022
#PopSugarReadingChallenge2022
4/5
My progress on #ReadingAfrica2022: four countries, with post-apcocalyptic novel, a murder mystery, a kids' book, and a bail.
pickThis was really thoughtful and well written: I appreciated that the audio was done using different voices which really made it come to life. The true story of young Omar Mohamed, who shares a bit at the end, caring for his disabled younger brother and seeking freedom from a refugee camp in Kenya after fleeing war-torn Somalia.
#Booked2022 #Weather
#ReadingAfrica2022 #Somalia
pickRead this with my son. Amazing graphic novel. Really pulls you in and puts thing into perspective. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
2 hours 12 minutes for 264 pages read. #24hourreadathon
pickWhile ultimately hopeful, I feel like I‘ve been through the wringer.
pickI read this graphic novel in audio form after I saw it recommended because of the excellent full-cast recording. The book is the true story of 2 Somalian boys who lived in a Kenyan refugee camp for years. Omar, the eldest, feels responsible for his young, mute brother. They live w/their foster mother, struggle to go to school, get an interview w/the UN to be placed in a new country & to find peace when the world is completely out of their control.
pickOh my heart! Please go read this so I‘m not the only one crying while reading a graphic novel. This one was SO good.
