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Victoria Jamieson
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When Stars Are Scattered Paperback – Illustrated, April 14, 2020

by Victoria Jamieson (Author, Illustrator), Omar Mohamed (Author), Iman Geddy (Illustrator)
4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 3,664 ratings
Teachers' pick
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A National Book Award Finalist, this remarkable graphic novel is about growing up in a refugee camp, as told by a former Somali refugee to the Newbery Honor-winning creator of Roller Girl.

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 the 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 . . . but it would also mean leaving his brother, the only family member he has left, every day.

Heartbreak, hope, and gentle humor exist together in this graphic novel about a childhood spent waiting, and a young man who is able to create a sense of family and home in the most difficult of settings. It's an intimate, important, unforgettable look at the day-to-day life of a refugee, as told to New York Times Bestselling author/artist Victoria Jamieson by Omar Mohamed, the Somali man who lived the story.
Previous page
  1. Reading age
    9 - 12 years, from customers
  2. Print length
    264 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Grade level
    4 - 7
  5. Lexile measure
    GN530L
  6. Dimensions
    5.56 x 0.9 x 8.31 inches
  7. Publisher
    Dial Books
  8. Publication date
    April 14, 2020
  9. ISBN-10
    0525553908
  10. ISBN-13
    978-0525553908
  11. See all details
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From the Publisher

1

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2

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1 2 3
Roller Girl All's Faire in Middle School Olympig!
Customer Reviews
4.7 out of 5 stars
4,265
4.5 out of 5 stars
1,007
4.6 out of 5 stars
167
Price $9.64 $9.80 $8.99
More by Victoria Jamieson: A heartwarming graphic novel about friendship and surviving junior high through the power of roller derby A graphic novel about starting middle school, surviving your embarrassing family, and the Renaissance Faire An Olympics-themed picture book that brings home the bacon

Editorial Reviews

Review

A New York Times Bestseller
National Book Award Finalist
Schneider Family Book Award, Middle School Honor
YALSA Great Graphic Novel for Teens
YALSA Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers
YALSA Excellence in Nonfiction Nominee
Walter Award Winner (Younger Readers)
Amazon Best Children’s Book of 2020
New York Times Book Review Notable Children's Book
TIME Best Book of the Year
School Library Journal Best Book of 2020
Kirkus Best Children’s Book of 2020
NYPL Best Book for Kids
NPR's Book Concierge Pick
Jane Addams Children's Book Award Finalist
Charlotte Huck Award Honor Book
2021 ALSC Notable Children’s Books List
2021 Children’s Africana Book Award Honor Book
2021 Josette Frank Award Winner
2021 Notable Books for a Global Society List
2021 Kids’ Book Choice Award Winner

★ "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

★ "Tragedy is certainly present throughout the story, yet Mohamed and Jamieson’s focus on deep familial love and education works to subvert many refugee stereotypes." —Horn Book, starred review

★ "Mohamed's experience is unfortunately not unique, but it is told with grace, humility, and forgiveness. This beautiful memoir is not to be missed." —Booklist, starred review

★ "Jamieson and Mohamed together craft a cohesive, winding story that balances daily life and boredom, past traumas, and unforeseen outcomes alongside camp denizens’ ingenuity and community . . . colorist Iman Geddy’s deep purple skies drive home the title. The result of this team effort is a personal and poignant entry point for young readers trying to understand an unfair world." —Publishers Weekly, starred review

★ "The graphic novel presentation and first person narration from the young narrator creates an immediacy and connection with the events of the story. Readers are quickly drawn into Omar’s world and worry for him and his friends." —School Library Connection

"Over the next fifteen years chronicled in this moving, slightly fictionalized graphic novel, the boys grow to manhood in an overcrowded tent city . . . Jamieson’s artwork, affectionately depicting resilient kids who manage to carve out lives in a community with few solid prospects, reprises the inviting ebullience readers will recognize from Roller Girl and All’s Faire."  —BCCB


YALSA Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers

About the Author

Victoria Jamieson is the co-creator of the National Book Award finalist When Stars Are Scattered and the creator of the graphic novels All's Faire in Middle School and Newbery Honor winner Roller Girl. She received her BFA in illustration from the Rhode Island School of Design and worked as a children's book designer before becoming a freelance illustrator. She has also worked as a portrait artist aboard a cruise ship, and has lived in Australia, Italy, and Canada. Now she lives in Pennsylvania with her husband and son.

Omar Mohamed is co-creator of the National Book Award finalist When Stars Are Scattered, based on his childhood growing up in the Dadaab refugee camp, after his father was killed and he was separated from his mother in Somalia. He devoted everything to taking care of his younger brother, Hassan, and to pursuing his education. He now lives in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, with his wife and five children, and is the founder of Refugee Strong, a non-profit organization that empowers students living in refugee camps.

Iman Geddy, the colorist for this book, is an Atlanta-based designer and illustrator who is passionate about using the graphic arts for social good. Inspired by the geometric harmony of Islamic architecture as well as the colorful equatorial landscapes of eastern Africa, she creates striking art that highlights the beauty of the world around us.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Dial Books; Illustrated edition (April 14, 2020)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 264 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0525553908
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0525553908
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 9 - 12 years, from customers
  • Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ GN530L
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ 4 - 7
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.26 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.56 x 0.9 x 8.31 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 3,664 ratings

About the author

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Victoria Jamieson

Victoria Jamieson

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I grew up in Havertown, Pennsylvania, where I wrote and illustrated my first book in the third grade. SUPER COW! was a smash hit both with critics (my teacher) and collectors (my parents).

When I was twelve years old, my family moved to Florida. My parents tried to get me and my two brothers excited about our move by buying us season passes to Disney World. I loved watching the animators at work on the Backstage Tour, and I decided I wanted to work for Disney when I grew up.

I attended the Rhode Island School of Design, but soon found myself drawn back towards illustration instead of animation. After graduation and a slew of ill-fated careers (including a portrait artist on a Carnival Cruise ship and a conductor of illegal tours through the Vatican Museums), I began working as a book designer with a children's book publisher in New York.

I live in Pennsylvania with my husband, son, and surly cat Sharon.

Customer reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars
4.8 out of 5
3,664 global ratings
Great book in great condition
5 Stars
Great book in great condition
This book wasn't easy to find at in-person stores, so I'm glad Amazon had it at a reasonable price! I can't recommend it enough! It's such a beautiful story. It's a graphic novel that can be easily read by ages 8+, but the content would make more sense for the 12-15+ age group. I read it as an adult, and absolutely adored it, so it really does appeal to all ages and is a book that you could read multiple times over your life and glean new things from it each time.
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Top reviews from the United States

Thepurplequeen230
5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing book!
Reviewed in the United States on April 18, 2024
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This is one of the few books that I truly believe that should be taught in our high schools. It is an amazing story about hope, perseverance, love, and real world problems. If you are a teacher and are looking for a book that will capture your students, please read this book.
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Torie
5.0 out of 5 stars LOVE!
Reviewed in the United States on April 13, 2024
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I love this book! I'm 21 and read this book for my class and it was very interesting. I would read it 10 times over again
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Katie Cline
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book in great condition
Reviewed in the United States on August 14, 2023
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This book wasn't easy to find at in-person stores, so I'm glad Amazon had it at a reasonable price! I can't recommend it enough! It's such a beautiful story. It's a graphic novel that can be easily read by ages 8+, but the content would make more sense for the 12-15+ age group. I read it as an adult, and absolutely adored it, so it really does appeal to all ages and is a book that you could read multiple times over your life and glean new things from it each time.
Customer image
Katie Cline
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book in great condition
Reviewed in the United States on August 14, 2023
This book wasn't easy to find at in-person stores, so I'm glad Amazon had it at a reasonable price! I can't recommend it enough! It's such a beautiful story. It's a graphic novel that can be easily read by ages 8+, but the content would make more sense for the 12-15+ age group. I read it as an adult, and absolutely adored it, so it really does appeal to all ages and is a book that you could read multiple times over your life and glean new things from it each time.
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3 people found this helpful
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scarlett
5.0 out of 5 stars AMAZING READ!!
Reviewed in the United States on February 1, 2024
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This book is such a cute read and shares such a heartwarming story…I cried multiple times lol.I definitely recommend to grades 5th and up
One person found this helpful
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Deane Rynerson
5.0 out of 5 stars One of my Favorite Graphic Novels and Memoirs
Reviewed in the United States on June 3, 2023
Verified Purchase
When Stars Are Scattered is a memoir that everyone should read, presenting a true and in depth look at the life of a refugee. The art style is simple, but expressive and suits the story well and Omar Mohamed's retelling of his youth takes you on a journey of frustration, kindness, heartbreak and hope full of gentle humor, hard truths and surprising twists and turns that will engage a reader of any age.
One person found this helpful
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Tween Mom
5.0 out of 5 stars 10-Year-Old Approved
Reviewed in the United States on April 15, 2024
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My daughter loved this book and read it twice so far.
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Nena
4.0 out of 5 stars Necesario!
Reviewed in the United States on April 4, 2024
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Lo compre para la escuela de mi hija. La portada es delgada.
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Sarah Malik
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book - So many amazing themes to explore, focus on, and appreciate.
Reviewed in the United States on April 7, 2021
Verified Purchase
"When Stars Are Scattered" is a beautifully written graphic novel. It has a reoccurring theme of heartbreak and hope throughout the narrative, which is generally how life usually is. It gives an amazing glimpse and understanding of what it means to be a refugee, especially for school-aged children. If I could give it 10 stars, I would! My 8 year old and 10 year old have read it multiple times, my 5th grade students loved our 2-month long discussion and analysis of the book, and it has so many lessons and opportunities for meaningful discussions. You can analyze the Islamic faith and two of the pillars: prayer and fasting. You can analyze Omar's internal struggle and resilience. You can analyze Hassan's disability and his role and potential in society. You can analyze the definition and role of family and community. Don't be fooled into thinking this is just another "comic book" because it's not.
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Top reviews from other countries

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Renata Alessandra da Silva
5.0 out of 5 stars avaliação
Reviewed in Brazil on February 16, 2024
Verified Purchase
Chegou no prazo certo e certinho
One person found this helpful
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ayesha
5.0 out of 5 stars Heart touching ♥
Reviewed in Canada on January 12, 2022
Verified Purchase
I am nine years old. My mom bought me this book. I enjoyed reading this book alot. I got to know lot about how people spend their life in refugee camps. Thay have tough times there but they are still very grateful. To be honest its emotional, sad 😥 but you don't want to put it down until you finish it. Amazing book!!
4 people found this helpful
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Dana
5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing (real)
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 19, 2024
Verified Purchase
This is the most beautiful book I ever read and the way it pictures the truth of refugees camp was like the truth. It was indeed beautiful I wish I could find more books like this
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Rameesa
5.0 out of 5 stars Great read
Reviewed in India on December 19, 2023
Verified Purchase
It’s a must read for all ages
Me and My daughter finished it in 1 day
Our eyes were filled with tears in many parts.
One person found this helpful
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Chaitanya Bhate
5.0 out of 5 stars Wspaniałe doświadczenie
Reviewed in Poland on September 22, 2023
Verified Purchase
Doskonały stan i terminowa wysyłka. Polecam.
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