Audiobook
$0.00
with membership

Hardcover
$18.40

Paperback
$8.39

$8.39 with 40 percent savings

List Price: $13.99

Get Fast, Free Shipping with Amazon Prime FREE Returns

FREE delivery Tuesday, July 29 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35

Or Prime members get FREE delivery Tomorrow, July 25. Order within 8 hrs 18 mins.

In Stock

$$8.39 () Includes selected options. Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. Details

Enhancements you chose aren't available for this seller. Details

${cardName} not available for the seller you chose

${cardName} unavailable for quantities greater than ${maxQuantity}.

Ships from

Amazon.com

Sold by

Amazon.com

Payment

Secure transaction

Add a gift receipt for easy returns

Other sellers on Amazon

New & Used (159) from $1.75

Review- When Stars Are Scattered.MOVBrittany Besnyl

Image Unavailable

Image not available for
Color:

To view this video download Flash Player

Follow the author

Victoria Jamieson

Follow

When Stars Are Scattered: (National Book Award Finalist) Paperback – Illustrated, April 14, 2020

by Victoria Jamieson (Author, Illustrator), Omar Mohamed (Author), Iman Geddy (Illustrator)

3,918 ratings

Teachers' pick

See all formats and editions

{"desktop_buybox_group_1":[{"displayPrice":"$8.39","priceAmount":8.39,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"8","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"39","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"xJpm72prW%2FB90gwggf%2BnFEmfBde7P%2BwpU67doPw5HXHgbYnxR1mkV0yvU1DMJ8Y%2F1bT4ck45duG8wm7t8izhKLA7p7krYF%2F6miRxltORB79p0W02XS%2Fo8FFoyBnpRWg8ICPnbigVQRGJLxmC0MFmfA%3D%3D","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"NEW","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":0}]}

Purchase options and add-ons

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.

From the Publisher

	Roller Girl	All's Faire in Middle School	Olympig!

Customer Reviews	4,412	1,030	181
Price	$7.88	$8.21	$6.20
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
Publication date ‏ : ‎ April 14, 2020
Edition ‏ : ‎ Illustrated
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Print length ‏ : ‎ 264 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0525553908
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0525553908
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.26 pounds
Reading age ‏ : ‎ 9 - 12 years, from customers
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.56 x 0.97 x 8.25 inches
Grade level ‏ : ‎ 4 - 7
Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ GN530L
Best Sellers Rank: #5,270 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #3 in Children's Africa Books
- #31 in Children's Fiction on Social Situations
- #57 in Fantasy Manga (Books)
Customer Reviews:
3,918 ratings

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.

Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Upload your video

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.

Victoria Jamieson

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.

Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

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

3,918 global ratings

How customer reviews and ratings work

Review this product

Write a customer review

Customers say

Customers find this graphic novel to be a poignant story about life as a refugee, written in a kid-friendly way that educates young readers. The book effectively conveys the struggles of being a refugee through honest storytelling, and one customer notes it provides a powerful account of a former Somali refugee's experiences. Customers appreciate the graphic novel format, with one mentioning how the drawings draw readers in, and they value the book's themes of perseverance and compassion.

Select to learn more

Story quality Readability Graphic novel style Writing quality Empathy Diversity Openness Strength

101 customers mention "Story quality"101 positive0 negative

Customers praise the book's story, describing it as poignant and truly inspiring, with one customer highlighting its portrayal of life as a refugee.

"Great book. Really nice art and really touching story." Read more

"This is a a beautiful story about two Somalian refugee brothers who have not given up hope on finding their mother or being reassigned to America...." Read more

"...They asked questions and were really in tune with the narrative. Great read." Read more

"Amazing book. My 11 years old daughter read it in one day. She said it was a great book and she wants to read it again. Highly recommended." Read more

47 customers mention "Readability"47 positive0 negative

Customers find the book highly readable and educational, particularly suitable for upper elementary students, with one customer noting it is told in a kid-friendly way.

"...The graphics were so pretty and the story was so emotional and educational...." Read more

"My students love this book!" Read more

"Best graphic novel we’ve read. Educational and inspiring. Beautiful artwork." Read more

"...in a soft bed, eating nutritious, abundant food, and receiving free quality education...." Read more

30 customers mention "Graphic novel style"30 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the graphic novel style of the book, finding it heartwarming and engaging, with one customer noting that the drawings draw readers in.

"...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..." Read more

"...It is beautiful, honest, real, and probably one the greatest graphic novels I’ve read. If it can hook a proud non-reader, it can hook you...." Read more

"Beautifully written and illustrated, a story of the heart, the impossibility of waiting, and trust in faith...." Read more

"It’s a memoir in graphic novel format, and I love how bright and vivid the colors are.⁠ ⁠..." Read more

16 customers mention "Writing quality"16 positive0 negative

Customers praise the writing quality of the book, describing it as a beautifully written graphic novel, with one customer noting it works perfectly with the text.

"This book is amazing, I highly recommend. Beautifully written, a very thoughtful story about love, strength and courage." Read more

""When Stars Are Scattered" is a beautifully written graphic novel...." Read more

"This book is written so well, so simply, in a way that my child that I read this too was able to understand every single nuance, every single..." Read more

"...It's quite long, 17 chapters and 256 pages. It is very easy reading though, and a real page turner...." Read more

14 customers mention "Empathy"14 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's emotional depth and compassion, with one customer noting that parts of the book made them cry, while another mentions how it encouraged them to embrace others.

"...It teaches amazing lessons on relationships, compassion, gratitude, and so much more. This book is now one of my personal favorites." Read more

"...'s retelling of his youth takes you on a journey of frustration, kindness, heartbreak and hope full of gentle humor, hard truths and surprising..." Read more

"...This graphic novel kept my students engaged, chuckling, and sometimes even crying...." Read more

"...These sort of books create an understanding which creates a better world for all." Read more

12 customers mention "Diversity"12 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's portrayal of refugee experiences, with one customer noting how it allows readers to get to know a refugee kid, while another mentions how it helps understand a different world.

"...This book gave me an opportunity to expose my daughter to diversity and examine the conditions of her own life...." Read more

"...Aside from that it opens their mind to a different culture and way of life. I loved the questions my son would ask after reading it...." Read more

"This book is heartwarming and the struggles of being a refugee...." Read more

"...It connects all we talk about in my grade level. Human rights, refugees, 1st world vs 3rd, racism, sexism, social injustice, classism… most..." Read more

11 customers mention "Openness"11 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's openness, describing it as honest and profoundly eye-opening, with one customer noting how it provides a different perspective on world issues.

"This is such a powerful book that helps to open the reader's eyes about the life of refugees in a refugee camp!..." Read more

"...It is an amazing story about hope, perseverance, love, and real world problems...." Read more

"When Stars Are Scattered is a memoir that everyone should read, presenting a true and in depth look at the life of a refugee...." Read more

"...This book was the first one he ever finished. It is beautiful, honest, real, and probably one the greatest graphic novels I’ve read...." Read more

9 customers mention "Strength"9 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's portrayal of resilience and perseverance, with one customer noting how it maintains hope throughout the narrative.

"...It is an amazing story about hope, perseverance, love, and real world problems...." Read more

"...It’s a story about human grit and resilience that is difficult to really hit home for many American children, but the stunning illustrations carry..." Read more

"...Beautifully written, a very thoughtful story about love, strength and courage." Read more

"...It has a reoccurring theme of heartbreak and hope throughout the narrative, which is generally how life usually is...." Read more

Reviews with images

See all photos

Top reviews from the United States

There was a problem filtering reviews. Please reload the page.

Amazon Customer
Daughter loves it
Reviewed in the United States on July 20, 2025
Verified Purchase

My daughter had to get it for a summer reading . She loves it!

Read more

Helpful

Report
Melissa
Good Story for all Humans to Read
Reviewed in the United States on July 6, 2025
Verified Purchase
Great copies of a great read! This true story is illustrated in a graphic novel that all students appreciate. I highly recommend.

Read more

Helpful

Report
Iowachick22
Must Read for Kids!
Reviewed in the United States on April 25, 2025
Verified Purchase
My daughter loved this book. Her father lived in a refugee camp before he immigrated to the US and I believe this book gave her some insight into his life.

Read more

Helpful

Report
Amazon Customer
Riveting and refreshing to have depth and cultural exposure in a graphic novel...
Reviewed in the United States on May 30, 2020
Verified Purchase
This is a a beautiful story about two Somalian refugee brothers who have not given up hope on finding their mother or being reassigned to America. It’s a story about human grit and resilience that is difficult to really hit home for many American children, but the stunning illustrations carry this message through-out the story. My 9-year-old struggled to get into the first chapter, but when I sat down and read it to her, she was hooked. We almost finished the entire book in two reading sessions. This book gave me an opportunity to expose my daughter to diversity and examine the conditions of her own life. During this quarantine pandemic, my daughter has had to face some difficult changes in our family structure and sell her home. This book was a lesson to her to hold on to the ones she loves, and remember how lucky she is to be sleeping in a soft bed, eating nutritious, abundant food, and receiving free quality education. My daughter was particularly stunned about the refugee girls who don’t have choices about whom they marry and whether or not they go to school. I whole-heartedly recommend this book to any graphic novel enthusiast, or just anyone. Parents, read it to your child and talk with them about the similarities and differences of their life to Omar and Hassan’s. Thank you, Omar, for sharing your life story with the world and for organizing Refugee Strong so we can help. Please, Jamieson, find more diverse stories like this to capture and I will buy every one of them.

Read more

96 people found this helpful

Helpful

Report
Latigo Fender
Moving and compelling story
Reviewed in the United States on October 24, 2024
Verified Purchase
Content be hard for readers younger than twelve due to the difficult nature of the story involving death of people and animals.

Read more

One person found this helpful

Helpful

Report
Cristina
Everyone should read it!
Reviewed in the United States on July 20, 2024
Verified Purchase
This is such a powerful book that helps to open the reader's eyes about the life of refugees in a refugee camp! I loved the story and learned so much from it! I am hoping to be able to use it in my classroom!

Read more

One person found this helpful

Helpful

Report
Lynx
Beautiful Graphic Novel
Reviewed in the United States on February 17, 2021
Verified Purchase
It’s a memoir in graphic novel format, and I love how bright and vivid the colors are.⁠
⁠
Omar and his brother have been living in a refugee camp in Kenya for seven years when our book opens. Along with thousands of others, they’ve fled Somalia when war broke out in their country. The details surrounding how they ended up in the camp come later in the book, and I am not going to spoil them for you. They’re cared for by Fatuma, who is a sort of foster mom for them, and Omar does a lot of the work that needs to be done to keep the three of them alive.⁠
⁠
One of the most memorable things for me from early in the book was the fact that they didn’t have something as simple as a real soccer ball. Instead the children in the camp gathered up plastic bags and fashioned them into a ball like shape so they would have something to play with. ⁠
⁠
We get to see and experience Omar’s reservations about deciding to attend school rather than take care of his brother. Making the decision was hard for Omar and anyone who has had to make a difficult decision and weigh the potential pros and cons of a situation will be able to appreciate his struggle.⁠
⁠
Omar has to fight against so many things at such a young age and while being responsible for his brother. It’s inspiring to anyone who feels like just getting through the day is difficult. It’s such a great book for anyone who needs a reminder that they’re not alone in their struggle to find a reason to move forward, to reach for something that might be just out of reach, or to hope for a better future.⁠

Read more

7 people found this helpful

Helpful

Report
Katie Cline
Great book in great condition
Reviewed in the United States on August 14, 2023
Verified Purchase
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.

Read more

Katie Cline

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.

Images in this review

8 people found this helpful

Helpful

Report

Top reviews from other countries

Translate all reviews to English

Cliente Amazon
Ottima lettura per ragazzi
Reviewed in Italy on July 22, 2022
Verified Purchase

La storia a fumetti è divertente da leggere

Read more
Report
Translate review to English
Mama
Una historia muy didáctica
Reviewed in Spain on January 11, 2023
Verified Purchase
Que es un refugiado? Como es la vida de un refugiado? Un libro muy didáctico y entretenido, al ser en formato viñeta. Que sea una historia real lo hace mucho más atractivo.

Read more
Report
Translate review to English
Siti N.
Thumbs up
Reviewed in the United Arab Emirates on September 13, 2021
Verified Purchase
Nice book for kids.

Read more
Report
Claiire1212
Beautiful, moving and inspiring
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 1, 2023
Verified Purchase
This book is an absolute gem. It is unique, full of character, resilience and hope. It is a graphic novel based on the story of a boy in a refugee camp and his hope and down days too. The story is a real boys story and is beautifully captured in words and pictures. The artwork is beautiful and the whole book is a powerful and magnificent read. Can't recommend enough, and I'm a picky reader! Loved the photos at the end of the book too of the real people, amazing to see and very educational. Touches on some very important issues in society.

Read more
Report
Vinodh
One of the best book i read to my son
Reviewed in India on July 17, 2025
Verified Purchase
Its great book. Me and my 7 year old throughly enjoyed. It covers many many important topics that children should know. There are many fiction covering a topic or two. This covers a lot.

Read more
Report

See more reviews

Image Unavailable

Follow the author

When Stars Are Scattered: (National Book Award Finalist) Paperback – Illustrated, April 14, 2020

Purchase options and add-ons

Frequently bought together

More items to explore

From the Publisher

Editorial Reviews

Review

About the Author

Product details

Videos

Videos for this product

About the author

Victoria Jamieson

Customer reviews

Review this product

Customers say

Select to learn more

Images in this review

Reviews with images

Great book in great condition

Top reviews from the United States

There was a problem filtering reviews. Please reload the page.

Great book in great condition

Images in this review

Top reviews from other countries

5.0 out of 5 stars Ottima lettura per ragazzi

5.0 out of 5 stars Una historia muy didáctica

5.0 out of 5 stars Thumbs up

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful, moving and inspiring

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best book i read to my son

Ottima lettura per ragazzi

Una historia muy didáctica

Thumbs up

Beautiful, moving and inspiring

One of the best book i read to my son