Planet Omar: Accidental Trouble Magnet

Planet Omar: Accidental Trouble Magnet (2019) is an illustrated chapter book by Zanib Mian. Exuberant Omar and his family move to a new neighborhood and experience anti-Muslim prejudice from their next-door neighbor and a bully at school. Omar’s imagination, faith, good humor, and innate empathy help him teach naysayers that it is okay to be different. Mian explores the importance of extending kindness, learning about and accepting other cultures, and coping with bullying. Mian, an advocate for diversity and representation in children’s literature, started Sweet Apple Publishers to promote inclusive children’s books, and created Muslim Children’s Books, which publishes Islamic children’s works targeted toward young Muslim readers.

Among its many accolades, Planet Omar: Accidental Trouble Magnet was listed as an NPR Best Book of the Year, a Kirkus Best Book of the Year, and a Top 10 NYPL Best Book of the Year. Planet Omar: Accidental Trouble Magnet is followed by Planet Omar: Unexpected Super Spy (2020), Planet Omar: Incredible Rescue Mission (2020), Planet Omar: Epic Hero Flop (2021), and Planet Omar: Ultimate Rocket Blast (2023). In 2021, Lime Pictures opted to adapt the Planet Omar series for television.

Pagination in this guide refers to the 2022 G.P. Putnam’s Sons paperback edition.

Plot Summary

Omar and his mom, dad, older sister Maryam, and little brother Esa live in England. They are Muslims: They follow the Islamic religion, and their faith is a governing part of their lives. Omar does not like change, and when the family moves to a new home, he worries about starting a new school and making friends. Their elderly neighbor, Mrs. Rogers, seems unfriendly and complains about “the Muslims” loudly on the phone. Though Omar gets frustrated with Maryam’s teenage attitude and Esa’s crying and general messiness, Omar is close to his siblings and his parents. Mom and Dad, both scientists, bond with the kids on Science Sundays, when they do a family science project. On the first day at his new school, Omar uses his active imagination to create H₂O, a giant, protective dragon that gives him confidence.

School goes well: Omar makes a new friend in red-headed Charlie, and he likes his teacher, Mrs. Hutchinson, who has expressive curly hair. However, Omar runs afoul of the class bully, Daniel Green. Daniel torments Omar and Charlie. One day, Daniel ruins Omar’s class art project. Another time, he dumps sand on Omar’s lunch and tries to headbutt him. Daniel tells Omar that Mom looks like a witch, and that Muslims will be kicked out of the country. Omar worries about Daniel’s comments, but does not tell Mom, Dad, or Maryam about the bullying. Omar’s older cousin, Reza, seems to confirm that they will all be sent back to Pakistan.

Mom’s attempts to befriend Mrs. Rogers are rebuffed when the woman shuts the door in Mom’s face and later rejects her gift of biryani, a mixed rice dish. When Mrs. Rogers falls, however, and Mom offers to go with her to the hospital, the older woman accepts Mom’s help and her attitude toward the family becomes positive. The family helps Mrs. Rogers during her recovery.

Omar is excited for the start of Ramadan, the month when Muslims fast during the day and their prayers are even more meaningful. Omar is too young to fast but may practice on weekends. Mrs. Rogers visits Omar’s family for a sundown dinner during Ramadan. She enjoys learning about their religious traditions. Omar discovers that fasting is difficult. Omar fails at his first attempt but succeeds the following weekend.

Daniel’s bullying continues to make Omar miserable at school. When the class takes a trip to London to visit the science museum, Omar is unhappy that he is in Daniel’s group. When the class switches trains, Daniel grabs Omar, who believes that Daniel is going to beat him up. Omar points out that the train carrying the rest of the class has left and that he and Daniel are alone in the Underground. Daniel is terrified: He cries, wets himself, and thinks they will die. Omar is also scared but takes a leadership role.

Omar wants to be the hero of the situation and does not want to ask for help. He and Daniel jump on the next train, but realize it is not going to their destination. They exit the Underground onto the street. A dirty figure pursues them, which Omar believes is a zombie. They flee. Daniel continues to cry.

In times of trouble, Omar’s parents ask Allah for help. Daniel wants Omar to pray for assistance. Omar says a prayer and explains to Daniel a little about his Islamic beliefs. Omar reassures Daniel that they will get home safely. Daniel admits his parents probably do not know he is gone because they focus their attention on his sick little sister, Suzy. Omar feels bad for Daniel and tries to comfort him, winning a smile from Daniel.

Omar spots the familiar London Central Mosque, which holds positive memories. The “zombie” reappears and the boys run inside the mosque. Mohamed, a kind, older man in a thobe, an Arab garment, listens to Omar’s story, calls the school, gets the boys juice and candies, and points out that their zombie was an unhoused man named Eddy, who was trying to help them. Daniel and Omar apologize and share their candy with cheerful Eddy. Omar’s and Daniel’s parents arrive for an emotional reunion and take them home.

Omar tells Charlie that Daniel is not so awful after all, and though Charlie takes some convincing, the three of them become friends. Daniel acts much nicer. Omar’s family invites Daniel’s family to a Ramadan dinner, Ramadan being the holiest month in the Islamic calendar. Daniel apologizes for the mean things he said about Omar and Muslims. Omar is reassured he will not be kicked out of the country. Omar’s family and the Greens attend mosque together for Eid, which marks the end of Ramadan. Omar enjoys observing all the different kinds of people, and notices that people who smile and have positive thoughts look pretty, even though they may not be outwardly perfect. The Greens think the service is beautiful. They join Omar’s family for the Eid feast.