book cover

Planet Omar: Incredible Rescue Mission

by Zanib Mian, illustrated by Nasaya Mafaridik

Interest age: 6 to 11
Reading age: 8+

Published by Hodder, 2020

  • Chapter books
  • Funny

About this book

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!

Black and white illustrations and fabulous use of font and formatting maintain the high energy levels as the boys’ alien-fuelled plot bounces along. Be ready for an alien cat with a malfunctioning fur disguise, irrefutable signs of an alien landing and a spectacular Pakistani wedding that shows no evidence of alien involvement but is great fun all the same.

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.

About the author

Zanib Mian fell in love with writing at primary school. After studying molecular cell biology at University College London, she taught science in secondary school before deciding to move into children’s publishing. Zanib felt that characters from all minorities were missing from books for young children and launched Sweet Apple Publishers with a clear commitment to publishing inclusive books.

Her books include Oddsockosaurus and The Robot That Said Moo. They have featured on the BBC’s CBeebies Bedtime Stories show and in the Guardian for their contribution to diverse children’s literature. The Muslims won the 2018 Little Rebels Award and was longlisted for the 2018 UKLA Book Awards. She has also been nominated for the 2019 Carnegie Medal. Zanib lives in Wembley, London.

More books like this

Share this page Twitter Facebook LinkedIn