Omar Rising (Hardcover) (ISBN-13: 9780593108581)

"Irresistibly appealing and genuinely inspiring--a story that helps us to see the world more clearly, and to see ourselves as powerful enough to change it." --Rebecca Stead, author of Newbery Award Winner When You Reach Me

In this compelling companion to New York Times bestseller Amal Unbound, Amal's friend Omar must contend with being treated like a second-class citizen when he gets a scholarship to an elite boarding school.

Omar knows his scholarship to Ghalib Academy Boarding School is a game changer, providing him--the son of a servant--with an opportunity to improve his station in life. He can't wait to experience all the school has to offer, especially science club and hopefully the soccer team; but when he arrives, his hopes are dashed. First-year scholarship students aren't allowed to join clubs or teams--and not only that, they have to earn their keep doing menial chores. At first Omar is dejected--but then he gets angry when he learns something even worse--the school deliberately "weeds out" kids like him by requiring them to get significantly higher grades than kids who can pay tuition, making it nearly impossible for scholarship students to graduate. It's a good thing that in his favorite class, he's learned the importance of being stubbornly optimistic. So with the help of his tightknit new group of friends--and with the threat of expulsion looming over him--he sets out to do what seems impossible: change a rigged system.

Author: Aisha Saeed
ISBN-10: 0593108582
ISBN-13: 9780593108581
Publisher: Nancy Paulsen Books
Language: English
Published: 02/01/2022
Pages: 224
Format: Hardcover
Weight: 0.75lbs
Size: 8.30h x 5.70w x 1.00d

Accelerated Reader:
Reading Level: 3.8
Point Value: 5
Interest Level: Middle Grade
Quiz #/Name: 516680 / Omar Rising


Review Citation(s):
Kirkus Reviews 12/01/2021
School Library Journal 01/01/2022 pg. 71
Horn Book Magazine 01/01/2022 pg. 121
Booklist 02/01/2022 pg. 55
Hornbook Guide to Children 01/01/2022 - Superior,Well Above Average