Amina Banana and the Formula for Winning (Amina Banana #2)

Written by Shifa Saltagi Safadi
Illustrated by Aaliya Jaleel
Published by G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers

Amina Banana’s third grade class is abuzz with excitement for the upcoming spelling bee. But spelling in English is tough for Amina. Still, she’s going to prove to her classmates that even if English is an additional language for her, she can take home the gold medal.

If only the formula for winning wasn’t so complicated!

Make more duaa + study spelling words every day until the spelling bee + write down each word ten times so my hand memorizes it + spell each word out loud ten times + don’t get distracted by anything else! + don’t share your secrets with anyone = WINNER!

Amina is determined to win, but with a formula that long, how will Amina be able to study, keep up with tasks at home and stay true to her friends – who are also her biggest competition at the bee?

Don’t miss the rest of the series! Explore:

Primary ISBN: 9780593699232
Publication Date: May 2025
Available As: Hardcover, Paperback, Audiobook, eBook
Chapter Book, Age 06 or older

Community Represented: Syrian/Syrian American

Themes: Cultural Empowerment, Cultural Empowerment & Joy: Family, Cultural Empowerment & Joy: Food, Cultural Empowerment & Joy: Identity, Discrimination: Language Ability, Discrimination: Microaggression, Education & Literacy, Family Relationship: Parents, Family Relationship: Siblings, Format: Audiobook, Identity: Multilingual, Multilingual: Arabic Featured Words, Own Voices/Lived Experience, Refugee: War/Conflict, Religious Background: Muslim, STEM, Welcoming by Individual, Welcoming by School

Setting: United States (Indianapolis IN)

Character's Place in the Immigration Journey: Refugee

Book Creator(s) Connection to the Community Represented: Own Voices/Lived Experience

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