When Stars are Scattered by Victoria Jamieson & Omar Mohamed

 

Based on Mohamed’s actual experiences, this is a compelling and moving account of Somali brothers Omar and Hassan. They’ve witnessed their father’s murder and lost their mother in the flight to the Kenyan refugee camp of Dadaab. An elderly woman oversees their care, but Omar feels he is responsible for the care of his younger brother who has been left mute by the ordeal, As a result, Omar doesn’t go to the camp school until a teacher is alerted to his intelligence and challenges him to join.  The frustrating uncertainty of the boys’ future is balanced by humor and glimpses of kindness, as well as Jamieson’s beautiful artwork.