When Stars Are Scattered

The questions inside

One per chapter, across all 20 chapters — every question is editable before you print.

1. What do you learn about Omar, Hassan, and the refugee camp in this chapter? Describe the setting and explain how it affects their daily life.
2. How does Omar show that he feels responsible for Hassan? Use details from the chapter to explain what kind of brother Omar is.
3. What role does Fatuma play in Omar and Hassan’s lives? Why do you think she is important to them?
4. Omar has to think carefully about going to school. What are the reasons he might want to go, and what are the reasons he might feel worried?
5. How do Omar’s feelings about school begin to change? What does this show about his hopes for the future?
6. The word “refugee” is important in this story. Based on what happens in the chapter, what does being a refugee mean for Omar and Hassan?
7. How do Omar’s friends help him get through hard days in the camp? Give an example of friendship from this chapter.
8. Hassan does not always use words to communicate. How does Omar understand what Hassan needs or feels?
9. What challenges do Omar and Hassan face when it comes to basic needs like food, water, or medical care? How do they respond to these challenges?
10. What does this chapter show about the importance of education, especially for children who have difficult lives?
11. Omar often has to wait for things he cannot control. How does waiting affect him in this chapter?
12. What conflict does Omar face between following his own dreams and taking care of Hassan? How would you feel in his place?
13. How do memories of Somalia and Omar’s family shape the choices he makes in the camp?
14. Which choice in this chapter do you think is the hardest for Omar? Explain your opinion with reasons from the story.
15. How does the idea of resettlement affect Omar and the people around him? Why do you think it brings both hope and fear?
16. Make a prediction: What do you think will happen next for Omar and Hassan, and what clues from the story support your prediction?
17. When Omar faces disappointment, what helps him keep going? What does this teach readers about resilience?
18. How does the community in the camp support Omar and Hassan? Describe one moment that shows people caring for one another.
19. Omar and Hassan experience big changes near the end of the story. What might be exciting about these changes, and what might be scary?
20. What is one major theme of When Stars Are Scattered? Explain how Omar and Hassan’s story helps you understand that theme.

Example answers

Printed at the front of the booklet, so your reader can see what a strong answer looks like.

How does Omar show that he feels responsible for Hassan? Use details from the chapter to explain what kind of brother Omar is.

I think Omar shows responsibility by watching Hassan closely and making sure he is safe. He pays attention to what Hassan needs, even when it is hard or tiring. This shows that Omar is caring and loyal. He acts almost like a parent because he wants to protect his brother.

How does the idea of resettlement affect Omar and the people around him? Why do you think it brings both hope and fear?

Resettlement gives Omar hope because it could mean a safer life and more chances for the future. At the same time, it is scary because he does not know if it will happen or what a new country would be like. I think people in the camp feel nervous because they have already lost so much. Hope can be exciting, but waiting for it can also hurt.

What is one major theme of When Stars Are Scattered? Explain how Omar and Hassan’s story helps you understand that theme.

One major theme is that family can help people stay strong during hard times. Omar and Hassan do not have an easy life, but they keep going because they love and need each other. Omar takes care of Hassan, and Hassan gives Omar a reason to keep hoping. Their story helped me understand that family is not only about where you live, but about how you care for each other.