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Planet Omar: Unexpected Super Spy

by Zanib Mian, illustrated by Nasaya Mafaridik

Interest age: 6 to 11
Reading age: 6+

Published by Hodder, 2020

  • Chapter books
  • Funny

About this book

Omar is a 9 year old boy who lives with his annoying older sister Maryam and little brother Esa, dreaming about how he can get enough money to buy a NERF Laser Blaster - or, even better - a Ferrari. But when his mosque is in danger of being closed down, Omar switches his mission to raising the £30,000 that’s needed for the emergency building repairs. Yet when Omar organises a school talent show to raise the money, the funds go missing. Juggling many potential suspects, Omar and his friends need to become super spies to find the culprit and get the money back.

This is a really hilariously funny, warm hearted, easy-to-read tale, with a gentle moral of how if people work together they can achieve wonderful things. Zanib Mian’s wit and great ability to create believable characters makes this a must read. The illustrations by Nasaya Mafaridik create the perfect mood and this new series will very much suit fans of Tom Gates. This is book two in the Planet Omar series, and readers will also enjoy Zanib Mian’s Accidental Trouble Magnet (previously published as The Muslims) but it’s not necessary to read this first.  

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.

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