Planet Omar: Accidental Trouble Magnet

Through all their eccentricities, minor squabbles, and moments of love and joy, Omar’s family is like innumerable other families in the world. The only difference between them and others in Omar’s new neighborhood is their Islamic faith. The family shares characteristics with other American families: Mom is meticulous and kind, Dad has a more relaxed approach to troubles, Maryam has teenage mood swings, and Esa exhibits typical, annoying three-year-old behaviors—like licking brownies. Despite sibling disagreements, and occasionally being a magnet for trouble—like taking the TV remote batteries to sneak in some extra secret video game time—Omar and his family love each other. Though Esa is sticky and loud, Omar worries about him sitting alone in the mosque, and he readily admits that grumpy Maryam makes delicious brownies. The family is close-knit and supportive.

Through her characterization of Omar’s loving family, Zanib Mian gently educates the reader about the practice of Islam and the hurtful effects of Islamophobia. Omar’s family life shows readers that Islamic beliefs are non-threatening, and, like other religions, have deep traditions and beautiful ceremonies. Omar’s family helps dispel negative stereotypes about Muslims, showing they are not so different from anyone else.

The class bully and the novel’s primary antagonist, Daniel Green keeps Omar’s school days from being 100% awesome. Daniel’s hostility stems from feelings of being left out, as his parents focus their time and attention on his ill sister, Suzy. Daniel resents it when Omar gets praise and positive attention from Mrs. Hutchinson, something Daniel himself receives little of, in class or at home.

Daniel’s jealousy and loneliness manifest in bullying. When Daniel angrily calls Omar a “teacher’s pet,” he implies that Omar is actively seeking the teacher’s favor and receiving it more than other kids—but he mostly means more than himself. Daniel attempts to erode Omar’s confidence, bringing Omar down socially and emotionally with his bullying, while making himself feel more powerful. Daniel’s racist comments about Muslims add a different level to his bullying by negatively focusing on Omar’s difference.

Daniel is a dynamic character who changes over the course of the novel. Thanks to Omar’s kindness and empathy, Daniel comes to understand and like Omar as a unique individual, and no longer bullies him. Daniel’s personality also changes for the better. His parents’ reaction to Daniel’s experience of being lost shows Daniel that they do love him. At dinner, Omar observes that Daniel’s “dad kept ruffling his hair, and his mom kept touching his shoulder like she wanted to check he was still there” (189). Secure in his family’s attention, Daniel no longer needs to bully. Instead, he works on being a good friend.

Omar describes Mrs. Rogers as the family’s “creepy, rude next-door neighbor” (56). White-haired, cardigan-wearing, elderly Mrs. Rogers is one of the novel’s early antagonists. She represents what happens when people are not open to understanding other cultures. Mrs. Rogers does not want to meet or know Omar’s family. She speaks about them disparagingly by religion, calling them only “the Muslims.” Mrs. Rogers judges the family based on negative stereotypes she has internalized about Muslims. She looks for and believes the worst about them, complaining that they cook smelly, spicy food, and that the kids are too loud.

Like Daniel, Mrs. Rogers is a dynamic character who transforms during the novel. When Mrs. Rogers accepts Mom’s help, she recognizes the family’s kindness, and becomes one of their strong supporters. Mrs. Rogers illustrates the negative effects of believing false information about Muslims and shows how learning about other cultures leads to acceptance and appreciation.

Mian uses the character of Mrs. Rogers to gently teach readers—who may be just like Mrs. Rogers—that Muslim families may have different traditions, but they are as kind and compassionate as non-Muslims, and that the practices of Islam may differ from other religions but are not threatening.