Harsh Realities Combine With Hope in This Graphic Novel for Kids

One Boy’s Struggle to Overcome the Odds

It’s no secret all three of my kids love graphic novels. They have each read all the Diary of a Wimpy Kid books so many times, I couldn’t begin to count. So when I see them reaching for a new book time and time again, I can recommend it with confidence. That’s the case with When Stars Are Scattered by Victoria Jamieson and Omar Mohamed.

When Stars Are Scattered Graphic Novel on Amazon

This graphic novel details the daily life of Omar, who lives in a refugee camp in Kenya. Though a temporary solution, Omar and his younger brother Hassan have lived there for seven years. This story of daily life comes straight from a person who experienced it, thanks to Omar Mohamed sharing the hopes and heartbreaks that filled his childhood in harsh conditions.

As a parent, I like this book because it gives my kids a window into not just another country, but another life. Not everyone gets blessed with a house, enough food, or even parents nearby. Yet despite the desperate conditions, this heartwarming book manages to convey an overwhelming sense of hope. Even a kid can make choices to positively influence their world, no matter how close or far.

Omar faces hard choices, like whether to leave his brother to go to school. While my kids have plenty to eat and a roof over their heads, they have checked this book out from the library time and time again for more than six months. Unlike fantasy novels, this book brings a different world to life for them, one that isn’t so far from reality, and keeps them coming back for more.

Whether you want to introduce your child to the hardships other kids around the world face in a way that isn’t scary for them, or just broaden their horizons, this graphic novel makes a great place to start.