No one could understand Omar at his new school except someone who could hear beyond the words and see beyond the smile. Someone who knew what to stand up for.

Rachna Sharma grew up in India and has taught for over 25-years in India,

Bahrain and Canada. She moved to Canada with her husband and her daughter in 1995. Her many years of teaching in three different countries and her own personal experiences as an immigrant have enriched her literary sensitivity.

Having worked with students from diverse cultures and in dealing with their

perceptions of the world, she has found her passion in sharing their voices.

"Weirdo" is her first book for children, sparked by her experiences in teaching

students for whom English is a second language. She currently teaches and

lives in Ontario.