When Stars Are Scattered — Victoria Jamieson & Omar Mohamed (2020)
Reflection
When Stars Are Scattered is a deeply moving graphic novel memoir that tells the true story of Omar Mohamed and his younger brother, Hassan, growing up in a refugee camp in Kenya after fleeing war-torn Somalia. The narrative combines Omar's personal reflections with the vivid, expressive illustrations of Victoria Jamieson, creating a text that is both emotionally rich and visually compelling. The memoir does more than recount events - it invites the reader into the lived experience of displacement, uncertainty, resilience, and hope. The graphic format humanizes what could be abstract or distant, making it accessible and impactful for young adult readers.
What Stood Out
1. Humanizing a Global Issue - Displacement and refugee life are topics that many students may only encounter through news stories. This memoir brings those realities to a personal level, showing how Omar and Hassan navigate daily life, uncertainty about the future, and the responsibility of caring for family.
2. Graphic Memoir as an Empathy Bridge - The illustrations are integral to meaning, not decorative. Ficial expressions, spatial layouts, and symbolic imagery deepen the emotional resonance. For adolescent readers, the visual narrative creates a bridge into experiences that might otherwise feel distant or overwhelming.
3. Resilience Without Simplification - The story does not shy away from hardship, but it emphasizes agency, ingenuity, and hope. Omar's determination to seek education, care for his brother, and engage with community resources shows resilience that feels authentic and inspiring. The memoir reminded me that young people are capable of profound insight and agency even in the most difficult circumstances. For the classroom and library, this book serves as a gateway to discussion about global citizenship, equity, and the shared human experience.
Personal Reaction
Reading When Stars Are Scattered was both grounding and enlightening. I was struck by how much weight each small decision carried for Omar and Hassan, whether it was choosing food, navigating bureaucratic challenges, or holding onto hope for resettlement.
Critical Reflection
When Stars Are Scattered extends the possibilities of graphic novel memoir by centering refugee experience through lived testimony. The narrative highlights the ethical complexity of survival, family responsibility, and educational access within displacement contexts. The visual format mediates traumatic content while sustaining narrative integrity and dignity.
Importantly, the memoir positions resilience within structural constraint—offering a counternarrative to simplistic “overcoming” tropes. For adolescent readers, the text supports global literacy and empathy development without romanticizing hardship.
Library & Instructional Application
- Supports global citizenship education and culturally responsive discussion.
- Strong anchor for visual literacy and memoir study.
- Excellent cross-curricular collaboration potential (social studies + ELA).
- Expanding Cultural Awareness
- This graphic novel memoir enhances empathy and global understanding, making it valuable for social studies, world history, and literature units.
- Encouraging Diverse Voices
- The inclusion of this book in a YA collection signals a commitment to narratives that reflect a wide range of lived experiences beyond the context of the United States.
- Programming & Dialogue
- This book could anchor library-led discussions or collaborations with social studies teachers on topics such as refugee experiences, cultural adaptation, or global justice
- Discussion Questions
- 1. How do Omar's responsibilities toward his brother shape his choices and growth?
- 2. In what ways does the graphic format help you connect emotionally with the characters?
- 3. What does When Stars Are Scattered teach us about community, survival, and hope?
Final Thoughts
When Stars Are Scattered is essential YA literature because it invites adolescent readers to step into the world of another person with empathy and curiosity. It challenges assumptions about what it means to belong and highlights the strength and resilience that can emerge even in uncertain circumstances. This graphic novel memoir belongs on classroom shelves and in library collections as a text that teaches both history and humanity.
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