Many readers know Victoria Jamieson for her wildly popular graphic novels,
Roller Girl and
All's Faire in Middle School. Jamieson brings her vibrant, expressive illustrations to a different kind of story to share Omar Mohamed's life with young readers. The book begins in the Dadaab refugee camp in Kenya. Omar and his brother Hassan sleep in their own tent alone, although they are only children. A woman named Fatuma looks out for them, but she is not their mother. You find out that the boys fled Somalia together, and hold out hope that their mother is alive somewhere. Omar spends his days (which are generally long, monotonous, and filled with hunger) taking care of his brother Hassan, who does not speak and has some other disabilities. When Omar is asked to attend school he is afraid to leave Hassan even for a few hours a day. When he does go to school he discovers that he is smart and that education might be his way out of the camps if only he can get resettled in another country. Jamieson and Mohamed have told this story perfectly. This gem should be read by EVERYONE.
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