I was incredibly excited going into the reviews this week, specifically because graphic novels hold a very special place in my heart. I was very big into manga during my middle school and high school years, and I genuinely don't think any type of graphic stories are given the admiration they deserve, especially in a school setting. When Stars are Scattered by Victoria Jamieson and Omar Mohamed is a graphic novel memoir written about Omar's experiences in a refugee camp in Kenya. Omar is in charge of taking care of his younger brother, Hassan, as he is his last surviving family member. Omar learns of the opportunity to attend school, and he wrestles with the conflict of providing a better life for his brother or leaving him alone every day to pursue the opportunity. It's an incredibly emotional read that brings forward a lot of relevant issues in a way that younger students can grasp.
While I do not personally have any experiences with refugee camps or a similar family dynamic, I've been trying to look at books through the lens of a mother. My husband and I are trying to curate a book collection in preparation for our son's arrival, and this one caught me by surprise. It's so genuine and honest in its story, and Omar is an incredibly relatable character. His decision to attend school for a better life or stay with his family is one that I can relate to; I dropped out of college halfway through my career at Seton Hall University, and it was a struggle to decide whether going back to school was right for me. When I decided to go back, I was 25, still had a year and a half to complete, and had already been engaged to my now husband and working full time. I didn't know if I could ask my husband to support me while going back to school and working full time, and while it is a different situation than what Omar is facing, I can still see how the decision was difficult for him to make.
I also think exposing young students to tough topics such as refugee camps is incredibly important. Allowing young students to see what other children are going through around the world just to survive (hopefully) helps to develop their empathy. In today's political climate, being able to see another human being and want the best for them is incredibly important, and empathy seems to be lacking greatly. Educating children on more mature topics in ways they can grasp (like a graphic novel with relatable characters around their age) is a great first step in trying to nurture human connections and compassion.
I would highly recommend this book for a library. I think it does a wonderful job of breaking the stigma that graphic novels are not "real books" or don't touch on any serious topics. The artwork is breathtaking, and it immediately captures the reader's attention while complementing the story perfectly. It shows a realistic look at the setting while still bringing beauty into a difficult situation. The story itself can be used to teach lessons not only on refugee camps and what people have to go through in order to survive, but it can also be used to teach younger students about family, empathy, and connection. I really do think it's a wonderful option for a graphic novel that can have a deep, lasting impact on young students.
Word count: 578
No comments:
Post a Comment