FICTION

Planet Omar: Accidental Trouble Magnet

by Zanib Mian (text) & illus. by Nasaya Mafaridik
Putnam. (Planet Omar). Feb. 2020. 224p. Tr $13.99. ISBN 9780593109212.
COPY ISBN
Gr 3-6–When Omar’s family moves to a new house, that means the 10-year-old must start the year at a new school. Omar is nervous because he thinks he will stand out as the new kid and because he is Muslim. Luckily for Omar, he has a great teacher and makes a new friend, Charlie, right away. But Omar and Charlie become the target of a bully, Daniel, who seems to dislike Omar for no other reason than he is Muslim. Daniel even goes as far as saying that all Muslims will be kicked out of the country. When Omar and Daniel are thrown together into a scary situation, the boys learn more about each other and realize that maybe they don’t have to be enemies. Told from Omar’s point of view, the playful text is bolstered with illustrations throughout that show off his creativity and imagination.
VERDICT A great #OwnVoices story for children to learn more about connection and empathy.
Reviewed by Jayna Ramsey, Douglas County Libraries in Parker, CO , Feb 01, 2020

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