Character traits are the special qualities that make a character in a story unique and interesting.

How a text relates to a reader, another text or the wider world can be called a connection.

A recommendation is a suggestion for a text that is well-suited to a reader’s age and their interests.

Developing responses to 'When Stars are Scattered' through rich discussions

English

Developing understanding of 'When Stars are Scattered' through rich discussions

In ’When Stars are Scattered: book club’ pupils have explored a refugee's memoir in graphic novel form. In ’No Country and Frizzy: graphic novels exploring identity and belonging’ pupils will explore a fictional narrative set in a near-dystopian future. Themes such as politics and migration are present in both texts.

In 'El Deafo: book club’ pupils have explored authentic experiences through the graphic novel form. In ’When Stars are Scattered: book club’ a narrative with increasingly mature themes is told, exploring the refugee experience.

In this unit, pupils explore and discuss the graphic novel memoir, 'When Stars are Scattered'. They discuss Omar Mohamed's experience of living in a refugee camp in Kenya and identify the key themes in the text. Finally, pupils make personal connections and recommendations.

'When Stars are Scattered': book club

Discriminatory behaviour or images, whether on the grounds of race, gender, disability, religion or belief or sexual orientation, or otherwise.

Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

Subjects which particular individuals may be sensitive to, eg, adoption, migration, bereavement or death, divorce, poverty, deprivation.

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Depiction of war, threats of war, death or the aftermath of war.

Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

a suggestion for a text that is suited to a reader’s age and interests

special qualities that make a character in a story unique

how a text relates to a reader, another text or the wider world

experiencing fear or nervousness in response to a threat

emotionally unsettled due to disappointment or frustration

 having favorable circumstances or good luck in life

Match the following character names to their relationship to Omar.

Which of the following **connections** is the following sentence: 'When Stars are Scattered' made me reflect on refugees who are still in camps or left without any support or help. 

Which of the following are themes that could be identified from the text?

Refer to the 'Author's note'. True or False? 'When Stars are Scattered' is based on the author's real-life experiences?

Who are the creators of 'When Stars are Scattered'?

'When Stars are Scattered' is set in which African country?

Which **character trait** is shown in this sentence: Lucas spent his Saturday volunteering at the local animal shelter.

What is the name of Omar and Hassan's legal guardian at Dadaab Refugee Camp?

people who have fled war, violence, conflict or persecution to find safety

people responsible for converting content between languages

when the text relates to personal experiences, feelings or thoughts

when the content of the text relates to another text

when the content relates to events and issues in the real world

Match the following types of connections.

Starter Quiz

Who are the creators of 'When Stars are Scattered'?