Victoria Jamieson, who earned widespread acclaim with Roller Girl, teams up with former Somali refugee Omar Mohamed to deliver “When Stars Are Scattered,” a profound and poignant graphic novel that delves into the resilience and struggles of life in a refugee camp. A National Book Award Finalist, this collaboration brings forward a narrative that is both heartrending and enlightening, offering readers a window into a world defined by both hardship and hope.

Set in Dadaab, a sprawling refugee camp in Kenya, the graphic novel closely follows the lives of two brothers, Omar and Hassan. The gravity of their situation is palpable — Hassan is nonverbal, requiring care that the camp is ill-equipped to provide, and Omar, as his caregiver, bears weighty responsibilities that extend far beyond his years. The stark realities of their daily existence are depicted with a blend of gentle humor and raw honesty, avoiding neither the dire scarcities they face nor the dullness that permeates their days.

The narrative truly begins to unfold when Omar is presented with the opportunity to attend school, a rarity that is tinged with both promise and guilt. Education could be their ticket to a better life, yet it would mean leaving Hassan each day. This moral quandlem — the choice between personal growth and familial duty — is captured with nuanced storytelling and expressive illustrations that convey the complex emotions and challenging decisions refugees like Omar must grapple with.

The art in “When Stars Are Scattered” extends the narrative in meaningful ways, illustrating the stark contrasts of camp life and the vibrant community that exists within its boundaries. Jamieson’s illustrations, paired with Mohamed’s firsthand experiences, enrich the story, making the emotional highs and lows even more potent. The visual storytelling is not just complementary but integral, depicting the brothers’ struggles and triumphs in a manner that is both accessible and engaging.

One of the book’s most significant strengths is its ability to humanize the refugee experience, presenting Omar and Hassan not just as statistics in ongoing global crises, but as real people with dreams, fears, and desires. It challenges the reader to look beyond the headlines, fostering empathy and understanding for conditions that are too easily ignored or misunderstood.

“When Stars Are Scattered” is a remarkable addition to the canon of graphic novels that do more than entertain; they educate and impact. For Omar Mohamed, the narrative is not just his story — it is a voice for the thousands whose stories go unheard. For readers, it offers both a mirror and a window, a chance to see life from a perspective that is unimaginely challenging, yet full of the same hopes and dreams that touch all human life.

In summary, Victoria Jamieson and Omar Mohamed’s work is a testament to the enduring spirit of family, the pain of separation, and the unyielding hope that drives people forward against all odds. It is an essential read, not just for its creative merits but for the vital story that it tells — one that is all too real for millions of people worldwide.