I sought out When Stars Are Scattered when I heard great things about the audiobook version. It wasn’t until the end of the book that it clicked that this was originally a graphic novel illustrated by Victoria Jamieson, author of Roller Girl (one of the best graphic novels I have read!). I immediately sought out the graphic novel.
This is a book that deserves all the accolades that it has received. Whether you enjoy it in audiobook version (full cast! awesome!) or in graphic novel version (equally awesome!), you can’t go wrong. This story is poignant, moving, and at times emotionally difficult. Readers of all ages will feel what it is like to live in a refugee camp–and will most likely start to wonder why as a world we can’t do better.
Everything about this novel is first rate. Do yourself a favor and read it today.
Review of the Unabridged Audiobook
Content Analysis:
Profanity/Language: None
Violence/Gore: Boys scuffle in anger; young character is beat up and clothes are stolen (no details), severe but non-life-threatening injuries; multiple reports of war; boy recounts to an adult what happened to him in Somalia when he was very little including details of gunshot, death, death of a parent, extreme hunger, war.
Sex/Nudity: None
Mature Subject Matter:
Refugees, war, displacement, hunger, death of family members, verbal abuse, abandonment, extreme poverty.
Alcohol / Drug Use:
Chewing of Khat leaves.
