When Stars Are Scattered

Part 1, Introduction-Chapter 3

Reading Check

1. Their mother (Part 1, Introduction)

2. Fatuma (Part 1, Introduction)

3. Ifo (Part 1, Chapter 1)

4. 7 years (Part 1, Chapter 1)

5. Soccer (Part 1, Chapter 3)

Short Answer

1. Omar feels the need to protect Hassan because he had seizures when he was younger. When Omar can attend school, he worries about being in a class where students are much younger than he is. He also worries that he and Hassan will be separated somehow while he is away. (Various chapters)

2. English is not Omar’s first language. He is already behind the other students and must scramble to catch up while interpreting a new language. (Part 1, Chapter 3)

Part 1, Chapters 4-7

Reading Check

1. Because of “empty days” (Part 1, Chapter 5)

2. Every 15 days (Part 1, Chapter 5)

3. Nimo’s (Part 1, Chapter 6)

4. Canada (Part 1, Chapter 6)

5. She is to marry. (Part 1 Chapter 7)

Short Answer

1. The girls in Omar’s school are expected to work while the boys play. Omar notices he is the only boy responsible for a younger sibling. The other younger children have girls to tend to them. (Part 1, Chapter 4)

2. Jeri, who has a limp, advises Omar not to underestimate Hassan. Omar realizes Jeri is correct and begins giving Hassan more chores. (Part 1, Chapter 6)

Part 2, Introduction-Chapter 11

Reading Check

1. A goat named Brownie (Part 2, Introduction)

2. A Social Worker for the UN (Part 2, Introduction)

3. As “God’s waiting room” (Part 2, Introduction)

4. Buffis (Part 2, Chapter 8)

5. Hassan (Part 2, Chapter 8)

6. Scoops of orange powder (Part 2, Chapter 9)

Short Answer

1. Maryam hugs Nimo and weeps because they will be parted. Jeri begins to isolate himself from Omar, upset that Omar made the list. (Part 2, Chapter 11)

2. She shares her recollections of the first time she saw Mogadishu in Somalia when it was peaceful. (Part 2, Chapter 11)

Part 2, Chapters 12-14

Reading Check

1. Sadiya’s house (Part 2, Chapter 12)

2. Canada (Part 2, Chapter 14)

3. A girl (Part 2, Chapter 14)

Short Answer

1. Sadiya died on the refugee’s journey to Kenya. (Part 2, Chapter 12)

2. Fatuma lost her own children in Somalia. She agreed to foster Hassan and Omar even though Hassan was difficult to care for. (Part 2, Chapter 12)

3. He yells at and shoves Hassan, fights with Jeri, and tells Maryam she does not understand what it feels like to have crushed dreams. (Part 2, Chapter 14)

Part 3, Introduction-Chapter 17

Reading Check

1. Susana (Part 3, Introduction)

2. Nimo (Part 3, Chapter 14)

3. Fatuma (Part 3, Chapter 15)

4. Mama (Part 3, Chapter 16)

5. Stars (Part 3, Chapter 17)

Short Answer

1. Hassan runs away because he sees the strong Fatuma cry at the loss of a baby goat and cannot process the scene. (Part 3, Chapter 14)

2. He sees and feels her spirit in all the people who cared for him during the years he was at the Somali camp. (Part 3, Chapter 17)

Afterword and Author’s Notes

Reading Check

1. Tucson, Arizona (Afterword)

2. 2014 (Afterword)

3. International development (Afterword)

4. Sarura (Afterword)

Short Answer

1. Because he never lost hope, Hassan was able to overcome impossible odds to resettle and embrace his new life in America and was also able to find his mother after 23 years. (Afterword, Author’s Notes)

2. Victoria learned the story of Omar and Hassan through Omar’s experiences. She liked learning about Omar’s story and wants to encourage others to do the same. (Author’s Notes)