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Planet Omar: Accidental Trouble Magnet
Last updated Sunday, May 25, 2025
Author: Zanib Mian
Illustrator: Nasaya Mafaridik
Date of Publication: 2020
ISBN: 059310921X
Grade Level: 4th (GLCs: Click here for grade level guidelines.)
Date(s) Used: Jun. 2025
Synopsis:
Welcome to the imaginative brain of Omar!
Omar and his family have just moved, and he is NOT excited about starting at a new school. What if the work is too hard or the kids are mean or the teacher is a zombie alien?!
But when Omar makes a new best friend, things start looking up. That is, until a Big Mean Bully named Daniel makes every day a nightmare!
Luckily, Omar's enormous imagination and goofy family help him get through life's ups and downs.
| Note to readers: |
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Omar and his siblings were born in London, England. Their parents are from Pakistan. If there is a map or globe in the room, try and point out where Pakistan and London are (Hint: Pakistan is on the northwest border of India).
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| Discussion topics for before reading: |
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Omar and his family are Muslims. They have some very different customs and practices from non-Muslims. Do you know any Muslims? If you do, what kinds of customs do they have that are different from yours?
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Omar is starting at a new school at the beginning of the book. Were any of you new at
your school this past year? What was it like? If you were not new, was there another
student who was the “new kid” in your class? What do you think it was like for them?
Vocabulary
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Muslim: a person who follows the teachings of Islam.
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shenanigans: tricky behavior. High spirited mischief.
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Allah: the word of God in Islam.
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mosque: the building for public worship by Muslims (their church).
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hijab: a covering for the hair and neck worn by some Muslim women.
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zombie: a lifeless, will-less and speechless human thought to have died and been reanimated.
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dragon: a mythical creature, like a serpent or giant lizard, with wings. May breathe fire or steam.
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imam: the prayer leader at a mosque.
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| Discussion topics for during/after reading: |
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Omar is about your age, 8 or 9. He has an older sister, Maryam, age 13 and a younger brother, Esa, age 3. Do you have siblings? If you do, how many? What are their ages? How do you get along with them? Is it similar to Omar or is it different?
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How would you suggest Omar solve his issues with Daniel? Does Daniel have his own issues at home? (Hint: Finish the book to find out!)
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| Craft ideas: |
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Draw a picture of your family.
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Father’s Day is Sunday, June 15, 2025. Make a greeting card for someone; father, grandfather, uncle,
etc.
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Draw a picture of something you are going to do this summer. Examples: Camping, go to the beach, take a
road trip.
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| Special activities: |
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Do the Word Search.
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FINALLY, remember when there is a really hot day and you live in an apartment or house with no air
conditioning, the is a place you can go that does have AC … the LIBRARY and it's FREE.
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*Note: These craft ideas are just suggestions.
You can use them, but you don't have to use them.
You can expand upon them, or add your own twist.
Remember, though, that the focus of your time should
not be on the development and execution of a craft;
the focus should be on the read-aloud and the
enjoyment of the book!
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