Scan barcode
bobisthecoolest's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-paced
4.75
Breathtakingly beautiful. This is such an interesting format for a non-fiction novel, but it just works perfectly.
The ending was slightly bittersweet, but mainly happy and both the afternote and author’s note had me in tears.
The ending was slightly bittersweet, but mainly happy and both the afternote and author’s note had me in tears.
claire_w's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
4.25
parker00's review against another edition
5.0
A beautiful graphic novel and memoir about one boy's experience in the Somali refugee crisis. This war has raged on for decades and hundreds of thousands of peoples are now refugees in camps in Kenya waiting for the opportunity of resettlement around the world.
Omar and his brother Hassan arrived at the camp without their mother and without hope of a future. Life in a refugee camp is hard and scary at times. The author and the illustrator do an excellent job of telling this story with words and pictures to a middle grade audience. You learn not just the day to day life in the camp but also how people continue to value their culture and religion in an uncertain place. You follow Omar to school, you meet his friends, you learn some of his struggles, and see the deep affection he has for his brother and foster mother.
Read this book if you want a colorful story with an inspiring happy ending.
Omar and his brother Hassan arrived at the camp without their mother and without hope of a future. Life in a refugee camp is hard and scary at times. The author and the illustrator do an excellent job of telling this story with words and pictures to a middle grade audience. You learn not just the day to day life in the camp but also how people continue to value their culture and religion in an uncertain place. You follow Omar to school, you meet his friends, you learn some of his struggles, and see the deep affection he has for his brother and foster mother.
Read this book if you want a colorful story with an inspiring happy ending.
katieproctorbooks's review against another edition
5.0
This book is fantastic—such an amazing use of a graphic novel to bring awareness to the hardships refugees face and in a way that’s accessible to kids. I loved it so much.
library_ann's review against another edition
4.0
The story of a young Somali refugee and his brother, from when he was 4 and war came to his village, to the time that they were approved for resettlement.
Life happens where you are, even if it is in a refugee camp, although life also feels like it is on hold with all the waiting. This story is both depressing and hopeful, full of emotions. The narrator Omar tries his best to care for his brother, do the chores, and keep up with his homework, but sometimes he cracks and lashes out at those he loves. But after his outbursts, he often realizes how inconsiderate he has been, and apologizes. He has such heart too, that he even offers to stay in the camp with his foster mother when he learns that she cannot be resettled with them. My heart broke for him a little just then.
I was sad to learn in the author's notes at the end that Nima and Maryam were invented characters.
Life happens where you are, even if it is in a refugee camp, although life also feels like it is on hold with all the waiting. This story is both depressing and hopeful, full of emotions. The narrator Omar tries his best to care for his brother, do the chores, and keep up with his homework, but sometimes he cracks and lashes out at those he loves. But after his outbursts, he often realizes how inconsiderate he has been, and apologizes. He has such heart too, that he even offers to stay in the camp with his foster mother when he learns that she cannot be resettled with them. My heart broke for him a little just then.
I was sad to learn in the author's notes at the end that Nima and Maryam were invented characters.
droar's review against another edition
5.0
I got about half way though this book before I discovered that it's a biography not a fictionalized account, & then the waterworks really kicked in. Omar & Hassan's story of growing up in a refugee camp is funny, silly, heartbreaking, & hopefully all at the same time. Supremely approachable & vitally important, I hope to put this book in the hands of many patrons in days to come.
Also: Don't skip the authors notes at the end! Omar gives you an update you'll want to see!
Also: Don't skip the authors notes at the end! Omar gives you an update you'll want to see!
cheesehead_reader's review against another edition
5.0
Fantastic! This book about a young Somali refugee and his brother living in a camp in Kenya gives you an authentic look at how life is in those camps. I love that it is done in graphic novel form... the story and the illustrations bring this world to life. And don't miss the Afterword and the messages at the end of the book from Omar Mohamed and Victoria Jamieson.
ailsareads's review against another edition
5.0
One of my students recommended this book to me so I bought it for the school library. I read it this afternoon and bawled my wee eyes out. Absolutely outstanding.