Amina banana and the formula for friendship
(Book)

Amina's family have been adjusting to all sorts of differences since they arrived from Syria. Amina's top priority is making friends, and being scientifically inclined, she has a formula that she is sure will work. But on her first day of school, it becomes clear that it won't be that easy. Wherever she turns, she is beset by a new challenge: being misunderstood because of her accent, the confusion caused by strange American idioms, disgusting school lunches, and people mispronouncing her name. Fortunately, her teachers are kind, and Amina quickly finds a group of girls who appreciate her differences and share their own, even while one mean girl teases her. Amina's vulnerability is coupled with tenacity, and soon enough she has everyone eating the ful that she makes to accompany her science report. Amid a fast-paced, humorous, tender, and ultimately optimistic story, Safadi captures the family's nostalgia for Syria while they find a place in a new community. Back-matter recipes and a note about the Syrian conflict add important context. A new series to look forward to.

Shifa Saltagi Safadi, illus. by Aaliya Jaleel. Putnam, $16.99 hardcover (128p) ISBN Optimistic about her family's move from Syria to Indiana, science-minded third grader Amina creates a four-step formula for making friends. But students mock her English-speaking skills, and when potential new friend Crystal attempts to reassure her--"Don't worry, I don't bite"--Amina grows concerned: "Americans bite each other?" 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. Further incidents highlight how idiom-rich English is often confusing for Amina. When a student insists Amina "spill the beans" on ful--a Syrian fava-bean dish--Amina takes the phrase literally. Though she's embarrassed by her perceived faux pas, it leads to empathetic overtures of friendship: "It must be confusing for you to hear all these phrases," one classmate says, followed by Crystal's promise to meet Amina where she's at ("We'll try to explain better"). Animated b&w artwork depicts friendly-faced, visually diverse students. Back matter includes a taste experiment, recipe, and note about the Syrian refugee crisis. Publishing simultaneously: Amina Banana and the Formula for Winning. Ages 6--9. Author's agent: Janine Le, Janine Le Literary. (May)

Amina has crafted the perfect formula for fitting in. Having recently settled in Indianapolis with her Syrian refugee family, Amina is starting third grade late in the term. She plans to "speak English perfectly, wear a perfect outfit, be a good student, [and] eat American food." But everything unravels when she mispronounces words and struggles to be understood--to the scorn of some of her classmates. When the students are told they must each give a presentation on a dish they've prepared, Amina is disheartened--how can she deliver a whole speech in English? But after talking with Egyptian American classmate Fatima, Amina finds a recipe for friendship and belonging. Safadi and Jaleel seamlessly weave Amina's Syrian and Muslim identities into both art and text. Safadi pinpoints experiences that many English language learners will recognize: the oddity of idioms, the often-frustrating gap between Amina's rich inner monologue and her less-than-fluent spoken dialogue, the loneliness that results from not being able to fully communicate, and the joys of forging connections as Amina becomes part of a warm, diverse group of friends. Her journey is realistically rocky but immensely rewarding, with teachable moments for readers young and old--for instance, a classmate correcting a teacher who mispronounces Amina's name. Children will be heartened by Amina's small triumphs, like when a new friend lovingly graces her with the nickname "Amina Banana." A winning series starter with layers of depth. (scientific method steps, science experiment, recipe for ful mdamas [fava beans], author's note about the Syrian refugee crisis)(Chapter book. 7-10) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Amina's family have been adjusting to all sorts of differences since they arrived from Syria. Amina's top priority is making friends, and being scientifically inclined, she has a formula that she is sure will work. But on her first day of school, it becomes clear that it won't be that easy. Wherever she turns, she is beset by a new challenge: being misunderstood because of her accent, the confusion caused by strange American idioms, disgusting school lunches, and people mispronouncing her name. Fortunately, her teachers are kind, and Amina quickly finds a group of girls who appreciate her differences and share their own, even while one mean girl teases her. Amina's vulnerability is coupled with tenacity, and soon enough she has everyone eating the ful that she makes to accompany her science report. Amid a fast-paced, humorous, tender, and ultimately optimistic story, Safadi captures the family's nostalgia for Syria while they find a place in a new community. Back-matter recipes and a note about the Syrian conflict add important context. A new series to look forward to. Grades 1-4. Copyright 2025 Booklist Reviews.

Shifa Saltagi Safadi, illus. by Aaliya Jaleel. Putnam, $16.99 hardcover (128p) ISBN Optimistic about her family's move from Syria to Indiana, science-minded third grader Amina creates a four-step formula for making friends. But students mock her English-speaking skills, and when potential new friend Crystal attempts to reassure her—"Don't worry, I don't bite"—Amina grows concerned: "Americans bite each other?" 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. Further incidents highlight how idiom-rich English is often confusing for Amina. When a student insists Amina "spill the beans" on ful—a Syrian fava-bean dish—Amina takes the phrase literally. Though she's embarrassed by her perceived faux pas, it leads to empathetic overtures of friendship: "It must be confusing for you to hear all these phrases," one classmate says, followed by Crystal's promise to meet Amina where she's at ("We'll try to explain better"). Animated b&w artwork depicts friendly-faced, visually diverse students. Back matter includes a taste experiment, recipe, and note about the Syrian refugee crisis. Publishing simultaneously: Amina Banana and the Formula for Winning. Ages 6–9. Author's agent: Janine Le, Janine Le Literary. (May)