Planet Omar: Accidental Trouble Magnet

“And she put her nose higher in the air as if she was smelling something there that she didn’t like.”

In the novel, one’s physical characteristics often reveal their internal state. Omar riffs on the common idiom “nose in the air” to describe Mrs. Rogers when she peeks over the fence at them the first time, when she haughtily acts like she is better than them. The implication is that Omar’s family is inferior, “bad-smelling,” or repugnant to Mrs. Rogers. Omar’s comment foreshadows Mrs. Rogers’s future unfriendliness and her anti-Muslim prejudice.

“Now, Esa is annoying sometimes, but he IS my little brother and I worry about him, so I quickly sneaked a look behind us.”

Although Omar describes Esa as the sticky, messy, “little human thing we call a brother,” Omar loves him (52). Omar checks on Esa when he goes to sit by himself at the mosque—and causes trouble. Omar’s comment exemplifies how deeply his family cares about each other.

“My mom never really understands about how I imagine things, so there was no point explaining—I guess it’s the kind of thing grown-ups forget how to do.”

Omar’s imagination is a vital part of his identity. It helps him cope with his fears and worries, and with being victimized by Daniel’s bullying. Here, Omar speculates that the creative ability to imagine things may be limited to kids. This helps characterize Mom, who works as a meticulous scientist in a field where practicality trumps imagination. Omar does wonder whether Mrs. Hutchinson, with her love of creative projects, may still be able to imagine things, showing that maybe imaginative powers are also tied to personality and life choices.

“I wondered if it was sarcasm, but my sarcasm detector isn’t very good. I can get confused when people say things all upside down.”

Daniel’s “upside-down talking” confuses Omar, who has trouble parsing verbal irony—when one says one thing but means the opposite (63). Omar, forthright and kind-hearted, does not use put-down humor. Daniel, in contrast, uses sarcasm as one of the tools in his bullying arsenal to belittle Omar and Charlie.

“She looked like one of those helium balloons that hardly has any helium left in it at all.”

Omar’s uses a simile to capture Mom’s unhappiness after her attempt to introduce the family to Mrs. Rogers. Mrs. Rogers’s hostility and unwillingness to get to know them reveal her Islamophobia, which leaves Mom feeling “deflated” in spirit.

“My parents do their duas whenever they think of something they want to talk to Allah about.”

Throughout the novel, Omar shows how Islam is a central part of his and his family’s daily lives. Mom and Dad show commitment to their faith and connection to Allah by saying duas, performing salat, and following Islamic principles. Mom and Dad are role models for Omar, Maryam, and Esa in practicing their Islamic faith.

“I wondered if he looked like some of his paintings, all out of shape, but happy.”

Contemplating Picasso, Omar advances his theory about how people’s inner nature is reflected in their outer appearance. The Picasso paintings Omar likes are abstract and positive, possibly reflecting Picasso’s personality. Omar thinks that what matters most is on the inside, and that good thoughts manifest in outward smiles and kindness: an important theme in the novel.

“At this point I realized that being smart with a bully wasn’t very smart at all.”

Omar wants to cry when Daniel wrecks his lunch, but instead makes a funny wordplay on “sand-wich.” Omar learns that while a clever comeback (and some imaginary support from H₂O) may increase Omar’s confidence, it increases Daniel’s aggression. Daniel reacts physically to the challenge; his bullying is escalating, and Omar’s attempts to handle the bullying himself are not working.

“You better go back to your country before we kick you all out.”

Daniel’s anti-Muslim statement dehumanizes Omar and his family. Daniel sees Omar as different and inferior to himself and the people who he feels belong in “his” country. Daniel implies that Omar and other Muslims will be forcibly removed if they do not leave Britain on their own. Although Daniel later admits he was only repeating what another relative told him, the statement illustrates the Islamophobia and xenophobia often experienced by Muslims. It also reveals how prejudice is learned.

“I don’t actually have any Rollerblades. I don’t know how to roller skate, but that’s the great thing about imagining: you can do anything you want.”

Omar’s imagination gives him limitless possibilities. Omar understands that the creative mind can help one deal with and rise above real-life difficulties, from family tension on a road trip to being bullied. Omar’s imagination is always with him, and he is somewhat comforted knowing that even if he loses his home and gets sent to Pakistan, he will still have his creativity.

“My lovely neighbors helped me, John. They’re such good people, you know.”

After Mrs. Rogers accepts Mom’s kindness, she stops badmouthing Omar’s family on the phone to her son John. Mrs. Rogers realizes that the negative stereotypes she held about Muslims were wrong and recognizes that Omar’s family is truly “good people.” Mom’s kindness changes Mrs. Rogers’s beliefs and illustrates how Kindness Begets Kindness.

“Mrs. Rogers knew the iftar routine now.”

When Mrs. Rogers visits Omar’s family during Ramadan for several iftar meals, breaking the day’s fast, she leans about their Islamic faith and joins in their observances. Through interaction, Mrs. Rogers loses her fear of both Islam and Omar’s family. In this way, Zanib Mian suggests the importance of learning from people different from oneself.

“Mrs. Hutchinson’s hair sprang to life, like flowers that had just been watered.”

Omar’s simile again reveals his imagination, and the way that external appearances mirrors one’s inner nature. Omar interprets Mrs. Hutchinson’s moods through the state of her curls, He notes that when the class does something creative, her curls are “happy and bouncy,” but when she is angry, “they looked more like the twisty metal part of a drill” (62, 44). Mrs. Hutchinson’s hair characterizes the pleasant teacher.

“Every time he glared at me, or pushed me and Charlie around on the playground, it reminded me of what he’d said—that I should be kicked out of my home and sent to a country I’d never visited.”

Daniel’s anti-Muslim sentiment creates a deep-seated insecurity within Omar, who continues to fear being forced out of the country. Daniel’s use of racist intimidation makes his bullying even worse. Omar doesn’t understand why he, a British native, does not have the same right to his own home as Daniel. Omar does not believe that his Muslim faith makes him different or lesser than others.

“I seem to be a magnet for trouble.”

Omar’s comment reflects the novel’s title and foreshadows trouble ahead on the class trip. However, he also acts as a magnet for connection and unity. Omar brings Charlie and Daniel, who have very dissimilar personalities, together in friendship. He states: “But I had been an accidental magnet again and pulled them together and I was completely super sure they’d get along” (191). Omar’s magnetism illustrates the novel’s emphasis on kindness and understanding.

“I wanted to be a hero.”

When they are separated from the class, Omar seizes the opportunity to reverse the power imbalance between him and Daniel. By taking charge of the situation and facilitating their safe return, Omar knows that he will be a real-life hero, matching the one in his imagination. Omar’s empathy is the most heroic element of his rescue. Although Daniel has been his enemy, Omar offers him comfort and kindness, not just a path to physical safety.

“Allah, I’m sorry I forgot to ask you before, but we’re kind of lost, and we need your help. We lost all our teachers and we don’t know where they are. We don’t even know where WE are, actually. And also, there might be a zombie trying to catch us. I’m trying to look after Daniel, but he keeps crying a lot. Please, can you help us? I don’t know how, but I guess you know. Thank you. I love you.”

 This is the first time Omar shares any of his prayers with the reader. Omar’s silent prayer is heartfelt and informal, revealing his personal connection to Allah. Omar knows that however he prays, in whatever language, Allah will hear him and answer his prayer. Omar also believes that Allah knows how to solve their problems. Omar’s simple prayer illustrates his deep faith and shows readers that the Islamic faith is not mysterious or frightening.

“God can hear everything, even whispers, and even what you’re saying to yourself in your own head.”

When Omar explains his Islamic beliefs to Daniel, he feels that they are obvious, but realizes that Daniel does not know about them. Omar softens his “well, duhhh” response, showing kindness to Daniel and helping educate him. As Daniel learns more about Omar’s faith and Omar himself, Daniel stops seeing Omar as an “other.”

“Yeah, if they even notice I’m gone, or if they even care.”

Daniel’s comment to Omar reveals the root of his unhappiness, and likely the cause of his bullying behavior. Daniel feels lonely and in the way at home since his parents are absorbed in caring for his little sister. Daniel’s admission helps Omar understand Daniel more and feel compassion for him, illustrating The Power of Acceptance Through Understanding.

“Is this the first time he’s ever smiled at me? I thought. That felt really weird. Didn’t he hate me?”

Omar is surprised and confused when Daniel smiles “a snotty smile” at him (177). Omar acts compassionately when trying to relate to Daniel’s home life and by saying that Daniel must be strong inside, like Batman. Daniel’s smile reveals that he is changing his attitude toward Omar and his own feelings about himself.

“The man smiled like he was very proud of us and like he knew all the secrets of the world.”

Mohamed, the older man in the mosque who helps Omar and Daniel, represents the safety and security that Omar associates with the mosque, and by extension, his faith. Mohamed’s kindness and wisdom affirm Omar’s beliefs and are the answer to his prayer. Mohamed’s warmth shows Daniel that Islam and Muslim people are non-threatening.

“I could hardly believe that in just a few days, Daniel had gone from being the person I liked least of all to being my friend.”

Omar’s experience being lost with Daniel helps him understand the other boy, and helps Daniel learn about him. This leads to acceptance, respect, and friendship. Daniel goes from being a bully to a supportive friend to both Omar and Charlie.

“Omar, I am very proud that you are Daniel’s friend, and I wouldn’t want you going anywhere.”

Mr. Green apologizes for Daniel’s anti-Muslim comment that caused Omar such distress. Mr. Green reassures Omar that he and his family see Omar as an individual—a good friend, and a good, unique person—not as an “other.” He removes Omar’s fears and clears up the awkwardness between the families, who can feel equal and comfortable together now that they have gotten to know one another.