Reviews

When Stars Are Scattered by Victoria Jamieson, Omar Mohamed

bearfamilyreads's review against another edition

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emotional informative slow-paced

5.0

happylilkt's review against another edition

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5.0

This was such a sweet, sad, and yet hopeful book; best of all, I had forgotten until the notes at the end that it is biographical. True stories are the best. This graphic novel gives insights into the daily life of the refugee camps in Kenya through the eyes of a very sweet and special Somalian boy Omar.

Even the most difficult material is handled very gently and there should be no qualms offering this to an elementary school reader who is mature enough to handle themes of separation from parents, death and illness, etc.

Highly recommended.

book_benagachi's review against another edition

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challenging emotional hopeful informative sad fast-paced

5.0

A really incredible book that everyone ought to read no matter what age. 

_martapimi_'s review against another edition

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emotional sad fast-paced

4.5

jenmangler's review against another edition

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4.0

This is a powerful book.

rhiannonwhite's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring medium-paced

5.0

mdevlin923's review against another edition

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4.0

Omar Mohamed's life in a refugee camp in Kenya with his brother, Hassan, and his foster mother, Fatuma. Separated from their mother during the Somalian Civil War, Omar lived most of his life in the Dadaab Refugee Camp. There he cared for his brother, went to school, discovered his passion for social work, and eventually was selected to immigrate to the United States.

Deeply moving and powerful, yet accessible to children. It's a good (sometimes humorous, sometimes saddening) view of what it's like living in a refugee camp.

encyclopediabritanika's review against another edition

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5.0

A middle grade graphic novel that was a finalist for a National Book Award, this is the true story of the author's 15 years in a refugee camp in Kenya, after fleeing war in Somalia. His father dead, his mother missing, and the care for a younger brother with special needs falling solely to him, the author finds a way, while also feeling ground down by his circumstances. Heartbreaking and also hopeful, it was an important read and I think written appropriately for 5-7th graders. I hope you share it with the middle graders in your life.

amwright's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense fast-paced

4.75

hollowpurp's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful informative inspiring sad slow-paced

4.0