This week’s book recommendation comes from Samantha Edwards, Youth and Family Engagement Librarian at the North-East Branch of the Kansas City Public Library.

Samantha chose “When Stars are Scattered” by Omar Mohamed from the library’s Juvenile section. She calls it a semi-autobiographical graphic novel about two brothers living in a refugee camp.

“Omar has lived most of his life in Dadaab, a refugee camp in Kenya,” Samantha said. “Omar gets a chance to go to school but worries about leaving his nonverbal brother on his own every day. While the story depicts the hardships of growing up in a tough environment, it also reveals the gentle humor and resiliency of childhood in any circumstance. Beautifully illustrated by Victoria Jamieson, this was my favorite read of 2020.”

“When Stars are Scattered” is available to those with a Kansas City Public Library card as a hard copy or eBook.