Meet Amina Banana! She’s a determined and clever third grader, and star of a new chapter book series with a STEM twist. Perfect for readers of The Questioneers and Junie B. Jones!
Amina loves bananas, science, and all things yellow! Her family recently arrived from Syria to Indiana, and she's starting at a brand-new school in a brand-new country. She’s excited but also nervous, especially about making friends! But she develops the perfect formula to get everything just right:
Speak English + wear a perfect outfit + be a good student + eat American food = Make American Friends!
When the first few days are harder than Amina imagined, she’s left worrying: why doesn't her formula add up?
★ "A winning series starter with layers of depth."—Kirkus, starred review
★ "National Book Award winner Safadi and illustrator Jaleel (The Gift of Eid) reteam to compassionately capture the whirlwind first days of Amina’s life in the U.S. in this heartfelt and purpose-driven chapter book series opener." —Publishers Weekly, starred review
"Full of hope and warmth, Amina Banana packs a heavy topic - the struggles of refugees starting over - into one light and easily digestible story, which highlights the power of small acts of kindness. Every reader will be able to put themselves into the shoes of a refugee whose whole life has been turned upside down. A surefire way to encourage empathy and compassion." — Zanib Mian, author of Planet Omar and Meet the Maliks
SHIFA SALTAGI SAFADI is the author of Kareem Between and several picture books, including The Gift of Eid. She has a bachelor’s degree in English literature, teaches ELA at a local middle school, and reviews Muslim books on her blog, Muslim Mommy Blog. Shifa was born in Syria and immigrated to the US with her parents as a young girl. She lives near Chicago with her husband and four children.
Meet Amina Banana! She’s a determined and clever third grader, and star of a new chapter book series with a STEM twist. Perfect for readers of The Questioneers and Junie B. Jones!
Amina loves bananas, science, and all things yellow! Her family recently arrived from Syria to Indiana, and she's starting at a brand-new school in a brand-new country. She’s excited but also nervous, especially about making friends! But she develops the perfect formula to get everything just right:
Speak English + wear a perfect outfit + be a good student + eat American food = Make American Friends!
When the first few days are harder than Amina imagined, she’s left worrying: why doesn't her formula add up?
Praise
★ "A winning series starter with layers of depth."—Kirkus, starred review
★ "National Book Award winner Safadi and illustrator Jaleel (The Gift of Eid) reteam to compassionately capture the whirlwind first days of Amina’s life in the U.S. in this heartfelt and purpose-driven chapter book series opener." —Publishers Weekly, starred review
"Full of hope and warmth, Amina Banana packs a heavy topic - the struggles of refugees starting over - into one light and easily digestible story, which highlights the power of small acts of kindness. Every reader will be able to put themselves into the shoes of a refugee whose whole life has been turned upside down. A surefire way to encourage empathy and compassion." — Zanib Mian, author of Planet Omar and Meet the Maliks
Author
SHIFA SALTAGI SAFADI is the author of Kareem Between and several picture books, including The Gift of Eid. She has a bachelor’s degree in English literature, teaches ELA at a local middle school, and reviews Muslim books on her blog, Muslim Mommy Blog. Shifa was born in Syria and immigrated to the US with her parents as a young girl. She lives near Chicago with her husband and four children.
