This is a really hilariously funny, warm hearted, easy-to-read tale, with a gentle moral of how if people work together they can achieve wonderful things. Zanib Mian’s wit and great ability to create believable characters makes this a must read. The illustrations by Nasaya Mafaridik create the perfect mood and this new series will very much suit fans of Tom Gates. This is book two in the Planet Omar series, and readers will also enjoy Zanib Mian’s Accidental Trouble Magnet (previously published as The Muslims) but it’s not necessary to read this first. Yet when mean Mrs Rogers has an accident, Omar's family is there to help. And when Omar and bully Daniel get stranded on a school trip in London, Omar realises that Danny isn't so tough after all... Planet Omar has all of the everyday life family drama and silly humour of Tom Gates and Sam Wu, and it's wonderful to read a funny book for kids featuring a Muslim family. 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?!

Planet Omar: Incredible Rescue Mission | BookTrust Planet Omar: Incredible Rescue Mission | BookTrust

A very kid-friendly and appealinglyhonest story about being different, being labeled ‘other.'”— The New York Times Book Review An exciting middle-grade debut starring a Muslim boy with a huge imagination. An NPR Best Book of the Year. Mrs Hutchinson is the best teacher in the universe. She’s the only reason Omar isn’t in a really bad mood about the start of the new school term. So imagine the trauma of finding a fierce, crinkly-faced supply teacher, with spiky heels and a personality to match, has replaced Mrs H at the front of the classroom.

None of the other teachers will say where she is so Omar and his friends, Daniel and Charlie, decide they have to investigate. As they collect their evidence, everything seems to point to one unlikely conclusion: Mrs Hutchinson has been abducted by aliens! Omar’s funny, relatable narrative is the perfect answer to the call for both mirrors and windows to fill bookshelves with diverse stories. Omar and his friends are distinct individuals with their own opinions and cultural influences but, rather than being a problem, their differences give the friendship real depth and make them a great team. Previously published as The Muslims, which won the Little Rebels book prize in 2018, this newly illustrated and reworked version of Zanib Mian's hilarious, sweet story is an absolute delight.

Planet Omar: Accidental Trouble Magnet | BookTrust Planet Omar: Accidental Trouble Magnet | BookTrust

Wildly imaginative Omar’s free-association narrative, laced with expressive hand lettering and Mafaridik’s playfully exaggerated line art, remains chipper and uplifting.”– Publishers Weekly At least Eid’s around the corner which means a feast (YAY) and presents (DOUBLE YAY). Well, as long as I can stay in Mum and Dad’s good books long enough… My parents decided it would be a good idea to move house AND move me to a new school at the same time. As if I didn’t have a hard enough time staying out of trouble at home, now I’ve also got to try and make new friends. What’s worse, the class bully seems to think I’m the perfect target.In their debut, Mian and Mafaridik create a relatable and hilarious story . . . Exploding with personality and imagination, Omar is an easy character to love.”— Booklist, starred review The playful text is bolstered with illustrations throughout that show off [Omar’s] creativity and imagination. A great #OwnVoices story for children to learn more about connection and empathy.” —S chool Library Journal