When Stars Are Scattered

When Stars Are Scattered is a graphic memoir coauthored by Omar Mohamed and Victoria Jamieson. Mohamed, a Somali refugee, and Jamieson created the book based on Mohamed’s actual experiences as a small child fleeing civil war in Somalia and as a young man growing up in Dadaab, one of the world’s largest refugee camps. Published in 2020, the story is a winner of the Walter Dean Myers Award for Younger Readers and was a finalist for the National Book Award for Young People’s Literature. It was also included among the YALSA Great Graphic Novels for Teens and the YALSA Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers. When Stars Are Scattered explores themes of maintaining empathy; appreciating one’s gifts; and balancing dreams, hard work, and faith. This guide references the 2020 edition published by Dial Books, an imprint of Penguin Random House.

Content Warning: Violence, war, and death are mentioned and implied through words and images.

Summary

The narrative is told in the format of a graphic novel, with comic-book-style panels of colorized illustrations, dialogue and thought bubbles, and narration. Young protagonist Omar Mohamed narrates the story in the first-person present tense.