When Stars are Scattered by Victoria Jamieson
Posted on 09/23/2020
Photo: When Stars are Scattered by Victoria Jamieson book cover

"A shining example of how a graphic novel can tackle serious issues in a way with which students can easily connect."                                                                                    Catherine Cox, Normal Park Museum Magnet

When Stars are Scattered by Victoria Jamieson is the Hamilton Book of the Week nominated by Normal Park Museum Magnet Omar and his younger brother, Hassan, have spent most of their lives in Dadaab, a refugee camp in Kenya.  Life is hard there: never enough food, achingly dull, and without access to medical care, Omar knows his nonverbal brother needs.  So when Omar has the opportunity to go to school, he knows it might be a chance to change their future.  However, doing so would mean leaving his brother every day, the only family member he has left.  Heartbreak and hope exist together in this remarkable graphic novel about growing up in a refugee camp, as told by a Somali refugee to the Newbery Honor-winning creator of Roller Girl.

 

Editorial Reviews

Amazon

from Amazon Readers

 

 

From Amazon.com:
"Jamieson's characteristically endearing art, warmly colored by Geddy, perfectly complements Omar's story, conjuring memorable and sympathetic characters who will stay with readers long after they close the book . . . This engaging, heartwarming story does everything one can ask of a book, and then some." —Kirkus, starred review

"With this sensitive and poignant tale, Jamieson and Mohamed express the power of the human spirit to persevere." —School Library Journal, starred review

 

To check out more recommended books in the Hamilton Book of the Week at https://www.hcde.org/parents___students/suggested_reading.

 

Hamilton Book of the Week seeks to move Hamilton County Schools closer to district goals found in the Future Ready 2023 action plan.  We hope to encourage kids to read more books for fun by sharing books popular at area schools. 

Goals more students reading will address include:

  • Reading improvement will increase the number of students on-track or mastering English language arts
  • Improve the district ACT score to a district average of 21    
  • Reach the target goal of a 90 percent graduation rate by 2023