Vocab
This is a feeling to describe having no feelings, happy or sad. When Omar is upset, he is described as feeling this way.
What is numb?
The camp where Omar and Hassan live. There is not much food or money, but people make what they can.
What is Dadaab?
This character gets married at a young age and is forced to drop out of school.
Who is Maryam?
This event causes the boys to flee to Dadaab. It is a civil war.
The war in Somalia.
This is how Omar describes the food he gets from the UN. It is a set amount of food that they get each month.
What are rations?
The name of the individual camp within Dadaab where Omar and Hassan live. It means "city of light."
What is Ifo?
Omar and Hassan leave this character behind in Somalia. They have hope that she will come back, and they are reunited with her in the epilogue.
Who is Omar's mother?
This is what happens to Hassan when he runs into another camp. Thankfully, other people in the camp are willing to help Hassan after this happens.
What is gets his clothes stolen?
This is a person who helps refugees in camps. This is the job Omar wants to have in the future.
What is a social worker?
Where Omar and Hassan were born. They left their mother behind there.
What is Somalia?
Omar and Hassan's adoptive mother. She is very caring and believes that everything will be okay. She convinces Omar to leave her behind.
Who is Fatuma?
This is how Jeri and Omar make additional money during Ramadan.
What is selling orange drink?
What is a scholarship?
Where is Canada?
Omar's kind and caring brother. He loves animals, but he can only say one word.
Who is Hassan?
These determine whether Omar and Jeri can go to high school. They work really hard to succeed, and their hard work pays off.
What are exams?
During this Islamic celebration, people fast during the day. That means they do not eat or drink.
What is Ramadan?
What is America?
The protagonist of the novel. He struggles with going to school, but eventually does so.
Who is Omar?
This character bullies Hassan.
Who is Tall Ali?