Planet Omar: Accidental Trouble Magnet
#1 of 5 in Planet Omar Series
What’s inside...
An exciting #OwnVoices middle-grade debut starring a Muslim boy with a huge imagination. 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! Daniel even tells Omar that all Muslims are going to be kicked out of the country . . . Could that possibly be true? Luckily, Omar's enormous imagination and goofy family help him get through life's ups and downs. Omar's funny, relatable narrative is the perfect answer to the call for both mirrors and windows to fill bookshelves with diverse stories.
Discussion points
What do you think Omar felt when he started at his new school? Have you ever felt the same way?
Omar uses his imagination to handle difficult situations. Can you think of a time when your imagination helped you?
How did Omar's family support him throughout the story? Why is family support important?
Omar experiences bullying in the story. What are some ways we can stand up to bullying or help someone who is being bullied?
What did you learn about Omar's culture and religion? How does learning about different cultures help us?
Tip: Role play these questions
Start the discussion by sharing your own experiences related to starting something new or feeling different, mirroring Omar's experiences in the book.
Praise your child’s responses and encourage them to think deeply by asking follow-up questions to their answers.
Discuss the importance of empathy and understanding different backgrounds, drawing parallels to Omar’s diverse cultural experiences.
Use examples from the book to talk about big themes like kindness, family, and resilience, and relate them to your child's daily life.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Embracing Diversity
Explanation: Omar navigates a new school environment while preserving his cultural identity, showcasing the importance of embracing one's heritage.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to appreciate and respect different cultures and backgrounds in their own classrooms and communities.
Example Lesson: Dealing with Bullying
Explanation: Omar faces challenges with a school bully and learns to deal with them in peaceful and clever ways.
Real-World Application: This helps children understand effective strategies to handle bullying, promoting assertiveness and seeking help from adults when needed.
Example Lesson: Importance of Family and Friendship
Explanation: The story highlights Omar’s interactions with his family and friends, showing the support and love they offer each other.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to value and nurture relationships with their family and peers, understanding that these bonds are vital for personal support and growth.
Example Lesson: Problem Solving and Creativity
Explanation: Omar uses his imagination and creativity to solve problems and navigate everyday challenges at school.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to think creatively and develop problem-solving skills that can be applied in school tasks and in resolving interpersonal conflicts.
Example Lesson: Resilience and Adaptability
Explanation: Despite various misadventures, Omar shows resilience and adaptability, continually finding joy and humor in his situations.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of staying positive and adaptable in the face of challenges, enhancing their emotional intelligence and coping mechanisms.