Teach Reading and Writing Issue 19

7 About this book Danko, Fabian and Zirka live in Rondo, a town famous for its singing flowers; until the darkness of War arrives and steals their music. Danko, Fabian and Zirka try to fight War on its own terms, but it takes creative ingenuity, co-operation and beauty to defeat it, rather than brute force. Supported by the Translate Ukraine Program, this powerful allegory speaks from the heart about timeless issues About this book Omar and his disabled brother have been at Kenya’s Dadaab refugee camp for seven years. They want to go home, but while they’re waiting – for their mother to find them, for the war in Somalia to end, for another country to offer them a visa – Omar cares for Hassan, struggles to get an education and dreams of a better life. Told in an engaging and accessible graphic novel Thinking and talking • Has this book changed your understanding about life in a refugee camp? How? • What impact does caring for Hassan have on Omar? • How does Omar’s life in the camp differ from yours? In what ways is it similar? Try this… n Find out about Somalia, Kenya and Dadaab. Report on what you’ve discovered using words and pictures, graphic- novel-style. n What challenges do Omar and his friends face? What attitudes, behaviours and skills help them stay positive? What could you learn from the children in this story? n In role as a character in this book, write a letter to your class. What do you want them to know about life in the camp, and why? 8 When Stars are Scattered BY VICTORIA JAMIESON AND OMARMOHAMED, FABER & FABER 16 | www.teachwire.net with strong contemporary relevance. In the company of kind and eccentric creatures who don’t appear strong enough to battle anything, children are encouraged to value what matters and work together for a better world. Thinking and talking • What impact does War have on Rondo? • How do Danko, Fabian and Zirka defeat it? • What have you heard about the war in Ukraine? Has it changed your lives? How? Try this… n Rondo’s anthem is Mozart’s Rondo alla Turca. Listen to the music as you paint brightly-coloured flowers. What would they sing about? Share ideas, then compose a special peace-song for your flower chorus. n What does Zirka see from above, as the light-machine battles War’s darkness? Record her observations in words and pictures on white paper squares, then fold into origami birds. n Use the text, images and your imagination to build pre- and post-war character studies of Danko. What does he learn? How does he change? What would post-war Danko tell his pre-war self? In pairs, roleplay the conversation. KEY S TAGE 2 format, this story is based on the real-life Omar’s own experiences, and emphasizes the importance of friendship, dreams, hard work and hope. It brings the impact of war to life for children in UKS2 and makes a good starting point for factual research and further discussion. How War Changed Rondo BY ROMANA ROMANYSHYN AND ANDRIY LESIV, ENCHANTED LION BOOKS KEY S TAGE 2