Setting and Plot
This is the name of the specific refugee camp in Kenya where Omar and Hassan live, which translates to "City of Light."
What is Ifo?
This is the name of the girl who was forced to leave school to get married, but continued to study in secret.
Who is Maryam?
Omar is initially hesitant to go to school because he does not want to leave this person alone.
Who is Hassan?
This is the "thick" item that refugees hope to receive in the mail, which indicates they have been selected for resettlement.
What is an envelope?
In the beginning of the book, these often wake Hassan up, representing his traumatic past.
What are nightmares?
This is the number of days that pass between when refugees are permitted to go to a distribution center to receive food rations.
What is 15 days?
This is the nickname Hassan has for their mother, which is the only word he says.
What is Hooyo?
Tall Salad gives Omar these two items before his first day of 5th grade to encourage his studies.
What are a notebook and a pencil?
This character gives Omar a bottle of sand as a parting gift.
Who is Tall Salan?
This phrase is often used by Omar to describe how he moves forward in life despite his hardships.
What is "One foot in front of the other"?
Fatuma gives Hassan this nickname because his hair grows in to make his face look like this shape.
What is "My Heart"?
This character is Omar's best friend and walks with him to middle school every day.
Who is Jeri?
The school lessons are taught in this language, which surprises Omar on his first day.
What is English?
Omar is jealous when this friend is interviewed for resettlement first, causing tension in their friendship.
Who is Nimo?
This color is used in the graphics to represent the home that Omar remembers in Somalia.
What is green?
This item is used to create a makeshift soccer ball that the children play with during lunch.
What are plastic bags?
She is the foster mom who takes care of Omar and Hassan, but cannot come to America because she is not a legal member of their family.
Who is Fatuma?
Omar tells his teacher he wants to become this type of professional when he grows up.
What is a Social Worker?
Maryam gives Omar this parting gift, which includes a poem she wrote about finding their way.
What is an envelope?
This is the "best thing" about the camp that is ironic, as it refers to the lack of anything to do.
What is it being a "waiting room"?
Near the end of the story, this specific event triggers Hassan to run away, causing a massive, panicked search.
What is the death of a baby goat?
This is the name of the of the UN officer who visits the school and encourages Omar to pursue his education?
Who is Susana Martinez?
Nimo and Maryam dream of getting a scholarship to move to this specific country.
What is Canada?
This is the city in Arizona where Omar and Hassan settle in 2009.
What is Tucson?
The authors use this technique to show that Omar's story represents the lives of thousands of other refugees.
What is using simple, expressive artwork to show large crowds or shared experiences?