Wednesday, March 22, 2023

When Stars are Scattered

 

When Stars are Scattered by Omar Mohamed & Victoria Jamiesan  256 pp.

This graphic novel and National Book Award Finalist is the true story of Omar, the author, and his brother Hassan who are living in the Dadaab Somali Refugee Settlement in Kenya. After running after their village is attacked, Omar and Hassan are separated from their mother. They are put in the care of an older woman refugee because their mother had not been found. Omar is very protective of his brother who has special needs. Hassan does not speak and has seizures. Omar is given the chance to go to school but at first cannot be convinced because he feels it's his job to care for his younger brother. Finally he is convinced to attend the camp school. Soon they are interviewed for the possibility to leave the camp to go live in another country. The wait is very long before the boys are finally sent to the U.S. After fifteen years in a refugee camp Omar completed college and started Refugee Strong, a nonprofit helping to fund education and health programs for refugees.

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