OMAR RISING, by Aisha Saeed, Nancy Paulsen Books, Feb. 1, 2022, Hardcover, $17.99 (ages 10 and up)
A boy faces the inequalities of being a scholarship student at an elite boarding school in Aisha Saeed’s follow-up to Amal Unbound, Omar Rising.
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. —Synopsis provided by Nancy Paulsen Books
Omar Rising is a book that sticks with you. Omar’s drive and tenacity are contagious. He’s the character you want to root for, and the friend you want your children to have.
As Omar pushes back against systemic injustice, he opens the eyes of the more privileged students who are ignorant to the inequalities within the system. The power dynamics begin to shift when all the students join together.
Omar Rising is a hopeful look at youth using their voices for change. Author Aisha Saeed carefully balances optimism vs. reality, creating a compelling read that will speak to readers from all backgrounds.
Though Omar Rising is a companion novel to Amal Unbound, it stands alone and can be read separately. However, based on the quality of both, I suggest reading them in succession.
