When Stars Are Scattered
Ratings27
Average rating4.7
This is a story of waiting and wanting - not for mere desires, but for basic needs. It's a story that gives you hope and causes you deep empathy and possibly, shed some tears (I can't imagine not being affected). There were countless times where I wished I could teleport myself into the book to help, to share some food, to care. It's a book that'll help you to be grateful for all that you have and make you want to share with those that need it.
When Stars are Scattered is a beautiful story about the life of Omar Mohamed in a Somali refugee camp in Kenya. Readers learn very early that his life revolves around: taking care of his brother, survival, and... waiting. It is difficult for him to see the value of an education at the refugee camp when half his brain is always wishing he were somewhere else and the other half is still looking for his mother.
With the support of mentors and friends, Omar learns to trust in his community and that, even when you're not sure you will be somewhere a long time, it is worth it to invest in your own growth and relationships. Omar is remarkably self-aware and his friends are very insightful. This is a very honest about refugee camps, the struggles that women face, the struggles of those with disabilities in these camps, friendship, and the power of a community to find meaning in life.
This is a wonderful and frustrating story. It's wonderful because it's great to hear Omar and Hassan's story in their own words with great illustrations from Jamieson. It shows perseverance and community of refugees at Daddab. But it also is frustrating that resettlement feels like a lottery and a miracle. It shouldn't be that way - there is plenty of room and work all around the world. I wish that the U.S. particularly would welcome more refugees, support them, and allow them to be safe and loved.
I was a lil skeptical of this when I first heard about it–the story of growing up in a refugee camp seemed at odds with Victoria Jamieson's vibe? But it does seem like she collaborated closely with Omar Mohamed to tell his story, and ultimately seems to me like a good use of her privilege to boost this story. I think the tone here is just right to make this story accessible for most American tweens who might not be as familiar with what it means to be a refugee. (Compared to like [b:The Unwanted: Stories of the Syrian Refugees 36912588 The Unwanted Stories of the Syrian Refugees Don Brown https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1518124719l/36912588.SY75.jpg 58671831] which sort of lacked a narrative.) It's a fine line to portray the bleakness of life in the refugee camps without making it just overwhelmingly depressing and also without erasing whatever agency the refugees do have–showing the way they came together as a community to look out for each other and share what little they do have. This is a story that would be engaging for a lot of kids who like adventure/survival type stories and stories about Kids Overcoming Things (also Kids With Disabilities) and I think will definitely open the eyes of some readers to the realities of refugee camps.
