We have to leave our home, but home never leaves us. — Victoria Jamieson & Omar Mohamed, When Stars are Scattered

If you’ve read When Victoria Jamieson and Omar Mohamed scatter Stars, you know it’s filled with resilient characters who bring this powerful true story to life.

This graphic novel, based on Omar Mohamed’s real-life experiences, follows two Somali refugee brothers living in the Dadaab refugee camp in Kenya. As they navigate displacement, loss, and hope, they encounter both hardships and kindness.

In this blog, we’ll examine the main characters in When Stars Are Scattered, from determined Omar to his nonverbal brother Hassan and the supportive community around them. Each character brings authenticity to this moving story of perseverance.

If you’re curious about who’s who, their relationships, and their roles, keep reading!

Plot Summary of When Stars are Scattered

With hard work, dreams come true. But I also know that good luck plays a role. — Victoria Jamieson & Omar Mohamed, When Stars are Scattered

When Stars Are Scattered follows Omar Mohamed, who fled Somalia with his younger brother Hassan after their village was attacked and they were separated from their mother.

The story begins when Omar is about twelve years old and living in the Dadaab refugee camp in Kenya. Omar serves as both brother and parent to Hassan, who is nonverbal and experiences seizures. Their daily lives consist of collecting firewood, getting water, and relying on UN food rations.

Despite encouragement from their foster mother, Fatuma, Omar initially resists attending school because he doesn’t want to leave Hassan alone.

Eventually, Omar decides to attend school while a neighbor watches Hassan. We follow his educational journey as he excels academically despite starting school later than most children. The brothers face numerous challenges: hunger, medical issues, uncertainty about resettlement, and not knowing what happened to their mother.

As Omar advances through school, he forms meaningful friendships, particularly with Jeri, who dreams of becoming a pilot despite the limited opportunities for girls in the camp.

When Omar reaches secondary school, the competition becomes more intense as students vie for limited sponsored positions to continue their education. Throughout the story, Omar struggles with guilt about leaving Hassan to attend school, worries about their future, and the emotional toll of their past trauma.

After years of waiting, the brothers finally receive news about potential resettlement to America, but this brings new concerns about adapting to a completely different life.

The narrative spans approximately fifteen years, showing Omar’s growth from a hesitant boy to a young man determined to help both his brother and his community. The story concludes with Omar and Hassan’s resettlement to America, where Omar eventually fulfills his dream of helping other refugees while continuing to search for their mother.

Main Characters and Arcs in When Stars are Scattered

Sometimes, I need to be reminded that I don’t have to have a perfect life to have a good life. — Victoria Jamieson & Omar Mohamed, When Stars are Scattered

1. Omar Mohamed

Omar is the protagonist and narrator of the story. When we meet him, he’s a young boy carrying the heavy responsibility of caring for his younger brother.

Omar’s character arc is defined by his growing understanding that education can be the key to a better future, not just for himself but also for Hassan.

Throughout the story, Omar evolves from a protective brother who fears leaving Hassan’s side to a determined student who balances studies with caregiving duties.

His internal conflict centers around guilt—guilt for surviving, for leaving Hassan to attend school, and for moments of resentment toward his responsibilities.

By the end of the story, Omar has developed a broader perspective on how he can help not only Hassan but also other refugees.

2. Hassan

Hassan is Omar’s younger brother who doesn’t speak and experiences seizures. Despite his challenges, Hassan communicates through expressions, gestures, and emotional connections.

While Hassan’s developmental arc isn’t as pronounced as Omar’s, we see him grow more comfortable with others as Omar attends school.

Hassan’s character serves as both Omar’s primary motivation and his biggest source of worry. His joyful personality, despite difficult circumstances, provides emotional depth to the story.

3. Fatuma

Fatuma is an elderly woman who takes in Omar and Hassan and becomes their foster mother in the camp. She is wise, kind, and supportive.

Fatuma encourages Omar to attend school while helping with Hassan. Her character arc involves her health struggles as she ages in the difficult camp conditions.

She represents the community support system that exists even in the harshest environments and provides motherly guidance that Omar desperately needs.

4. Jeri

Jeri is Omar’s best friend who dreams of becoming a pilot despite the limited opportunities for girls in the camp.

Her character arc revolves around maintaining her ambition in the face of pressure to follow traditional expectations for girls.

Jeri represents determination and the particular challenges faced by girls in refugee situations. Her friendship with Omar is based on mutual respect and shared academic ambitions.

Side Characters in When Stars are Scattered

When you have one dream for so long time, it’s hard to think of a new one. — Victoria Jamieson & Omar Mohamed, When Stars Are Scattered

While Omar and Hassan are the central focus, several important side characters enrich the story of life in the Dadaab refugee camp.

1. Maryam: A neighbor who helps watch Hassan when Omar begins attending school. Her kindness is essential to Omar’s ability to pursue education.

2. Nimo: A strong-willed girl in Omar’s class who isn’t afraid to speak her mind. She challenges gender norms in the camp and becomes an important friend.

3. Mr. Abdikadir: The compassionate teacher who encourages Omar to enroll in school and continues to support his education.

4. Susana: A UN worker who helps with resettlement cases. She shows particular concern for Omar and Hassan’s case.

5. Jeri’s Father: Though initially supportive of Jeri’s education, he later pressures her to leave school, highlighting the challenges girls face in pursuing education.

6. Hamadi: A friend who provides loyalty and comic relief throughout Omar’s educational journey.

7. Omar’s Mother: Though physically absent, she is a powerful presence in Omar’s memories and dreams. The mystery of her fate drives much of Omar’s emotional journey.

8. Iman: A nurse at the camp who helps care for Hassan during his seizures.

9. Mukhtar, Jamal, and Sadiq: Omar’s roommates in secondary school who become like brothers to him.

Understanding Relationships in When Stars Are Scattered

Everyone has something to teach you, if you’re willing to learn. — Victoria Jamieson & Omar Mohamed, When Stars are Scattered

Omar and Hassan

The heart of the story is the relationship between Omar and Hassan. After losing their parents, Omar takes on the roles of brother and caretaker.

Their bond is characterized by deep love, protection, and occasional frustration. Omar consistently sacrifices for Hassan’s well-being.

Hassan, though nonverbal, communicates his love and trust for Omar through his actions and expressions.

Their relationship evolves as Omar learns that caring for his brother means not just daily protection but also planning for their future through education.

Omar and Fatuma

Fatuma becomes the closest thing to a parent that Omar and Hassan have in the camp. She provides not just shelter but wisdom and emotional support.

Omar initially relies heavily on Fatuma’s guidance but grows to support her as well when her health declines.

Their relationship demonstrates how a chosen family can form in the absence of a biological family.

Omar and Jeri

Omar’s friendship with Jeri is based on mutual respect, shared academic ambitions, and an understanding of each other’s struggles.

They encourage each other’s dreams and provide emotional support when facing setbacks.

Their relationship shows how important peer connections are for children in traumatic situations.

Omar and His Mother

Though physically absent, Omar’s relationship with his mother exists through memory and hope. He dreams of her regularly, holding onto the belief that she is alive somewhere.

This connection to his past drives his actions and provides both comfort and pain.

The uncertainty of her fate creates an unresolved aspect to Omar’s emotional life that he must learn to live with while still moving forward.

Genre and Themes in When Stars Are Scattered

You’re a sweet boy with a good heart. Such things are rare and should be protected. — Victoria Jamieson & Omar Mohamed, When Stars Are Scattered

When Stars Are Scattered primarily falls within the genres of graphic memoir, biographical fiction, and coming-of-age stories. It combines elements of historical context with personal narrative to create an accessible yet profound reading experience.

The major themes explored in the book include

Resilience and Hope: The story consistently shows how Omar, Hassan, and others maintain hope despite seemingly insurmountable challenges.

Family Bonds: Both biological and chosen family relationships are central to the narrative, showing how connections sustain us in difficult times.

Education as Liberation: Omar’s journey highlights how education can transform lives and provide pathways out of difficult circumstances.

Refugee Experience: The book provides an insider’s perspective on the realities of refugee camp life, humanizing statistics and news stories.

Disability and Caregiving: Hassan’s condition and Omar’s role as caregiver explore the challenges and rewards of caring for someone with special needs.

Gender Expectations: Through Jeri’s storyline and other female characters, the book examines how gender norms impact opportunities, especially in traditional communities.

Loss and Uncertainty: The ongoing mystery of their mother’s fate and the precarious nature of refugee life explore how people cope with unresolved loss.

Readers’ Ratings and Reviews

What happens when your whole life is waiting? — Victoria Jamieson & Omar Mohamed, When Stars Are Scattered

When Stars Are Scattered has received widespread acclaim from readers and critics alike:

• This heartfelt graphic novel is a must-read. Omar’s story is told with such honesty that you feel like you’re right there with him in Dadaab. -School Library Journal, starred review.

• A powerful testament to the refugee experience and the power of education. -Booklist, 5-star review.

• The graphic novel format is perfect for this story, with expressions that communicate emotions beyond words. -Goodreads user, 5-star review.

• The book doesn’t shy away from hard truths but presents them in a way that children can process and discuss with adults. -Amazon customer, 5-star review.

What sets this book apart is its basis in personal experience, its hopeful tone despite harsh realities, and its accessible format for younger readers.

Book Recommendations If You Liked When Stars Are Scattered

People were not meant to be alone. — Victoria Jamieson & Omar Mohamed, When Stars Are Scattered

If you were moved by When Stars Are Scattered, here are some excellent recommendations:

• New Kid by Jerry Craft

• It’s Trevor Noah: Born a Crime (Young Readers Edition) by Trevor Noah

• Harbor Me by Jacqueline Woodson

• The Bridge Home by Padma Venkatraman

• Amal Unbound by Aisha Saeed

• Refugee by Alan Gratz

• Other Words for Home by Jasmine Warga

• A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park

• The Red Pencil by Andrea Davis Pinkney

• Inside Out and Back Again by Thanhha Lai

Conclusion

Hope is both the first and the last thing we have. — Victoria Jamieson & Omar Mohamed, When Stars Are Scattered

When Stars Are Scattered is a powerful graphic memoir that brings to life the refugee experience through authentic characters and relationships.

Omar and Hassan’s journey from the uncertainty of camp life to resettlement in America shows both the harsh realities of displacement and the resilience of the human spirit.

The characters make the abstract concept of “refugee” concrete and personal. Through Omar’s eyes, readers witness the everyday challenges, small victories, and profound losses that shape life in the Dadaab refugee camp.

The graphic novel format makes this important story accessible to a wide range of readers, inviting empathy and understanding.

If you’re looking for a book that builds compassion, provides global perspective, and celebrates the power of education and perseverance, When Stars Are Scattered is an essential read.

More from The Authors

Victoria Jamieson’s other works include:

• Roller Girl
• All’s Faire in Middle School
• Pets on the Loose! series

Omar Mohamed founded Refugee Strong, a nonprofit organization that works to support refugee students through educational initiatives.