When Stars Are Scattered

Omar demonstrates in several ways the extent to which he has matured when Part 3 begins. Physically, he is slightly taller as a young man; he wears the uniform of a high school student. He tends to his uniform daily, taking great care to keep it clean. The uniform, a literal gift from Susana that makes Omar’s attendance at high school a possibility, symbolizes the gift of education in Omar’s life. His regard for its cleanliness and condition symbolizes his understanding that one’s knowledge must be appreciated, tended to, and never taken for granted. Omar has grown emotionally as well. He gratefully allows Maryam to help with Hassan so that he (Omar) can finish school, and he appreciates Jeri’s friendship deeply, knowing that their camaraderie helps prevent depression and demoralization. Omar has also grown in terms of mental strength and fortitude. He shows this when others tell him to wait till morning to venture across the bush searching for Hassan. However, in a bold, telling moment, Omar makes a conscious and firm choice to avoid waiting. His decision to keep searching shows that he is capable of decision-making, and his long walk to the next camp demonstrates physical strength and fortitude. Notably, in a weak moment in Dagahaley camp, the love and compassion of strangers (Sarura’s family) bolster him and renew his courage and fortitude to go on.

Having come of age physically, emotionally, and mentally, Omar is much better able to handle the news of a second interview at the UN than when he was in junior high. He proves this by calmly preparing for it while continuing those activities he knows now are most important: school and tending to family. When Fatuma asks if he would like to practice his story, he says no: “If I don’t know my life story by now, I’ll never know it” (241). When Omar realizes Fatuma cannot come with Hassan and him to America, he is able to hear and believe Fatuma’s guidance despite his heartbreak and protestations; he agrees to try for resettlement without her. His maturity and empowerment are further emphasized when he interviews without the aid of an interpreter. At the same time, he knows when to accept help to produce the best possible result (Susana’s assistance with forms and applications). At the climactic moment of finally discovering whether or not he and Hassan will resettle, Omar bravely accepts the news. As the falling action commences, he finds it terribly difficult to say goodbye, but his spiritual growth allows him to focus on his many gifts, some of them sacrifices made by others such as Fatuma, Maryam, and his mother.

As the story closes, several details echo earlier points in Omar’s story. Maryam’s poem, for example, and its theme of staying true to one’s story calls to mind the wisdom of Nimo’s mother when Omar would listen to her storytelling: “She says Somalia is a nation of poets, and it’s important to keep the old stories and songs alive” (82). Salan’s gift of sand particles reminds the reader of his inspirational words—now also ironic—that convinced Omar to attend school: “You are one of thousands—of hundreds of thousands of refugees here in Dadaab. You’re about as likely to get chosen to go to America as I am to find that grain of sand again” (32). Most effectively, when Omar and Hassan are called to come forward to collect their envelope, which will reveal whether they resettle or not, Omar notes that they walk together, “one foot in front of the other” (249). These words reiterate verbatim his description of how he and Hassan managed to walk from their village in Somalia the whole way to Dadaab in Kenya when they were very young: “We didn’t know where we were going, but we all kept walking. One foot in front of the other” (186). Omar also uses the phrase to describe how he and Hassan return to Fatuma after her friend carelessly claims that their village, Mareerey, is a deserted “ghost town” (92). The news drives Omar to run away briefly, but he gathers his strength and returns “one foot in front of the other” (94). Through the repeat usages, the phrase comes to symbolize Omar’s courage, resiliency, and leadership.

As with each of the other sections of the book, art images help to convey story details without any words. In the farewell scene, Omar holds Maryam’s new baby as Fatuma embraces Hassan, and Jeri cries when Omar hugs him goodbye. Omar’s view out the window of the plane—bright stars on a dark violet night sky—parallel the opening artwork of the story. The Afterword and Author’s Notes serve as fulfilling, brief accompaniments to the end of the graphic narrative; the reader learns about Mr. Mohamed’s successes in America and, miraculously, his and Hassan’s reunion with their mother in 2017. This event underpins the worth of Mr. Mohamed’s message to “never lose hope” (262).