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Anna, Banana #1
Anna, Banana, and the Friendship Split
A charming new illustrated chapter-book series about a girl named Anna who navigates the joys and challenges of third-grade best-friendship, with her beloved wiener dog, Banana, by her side.
Anna has two favorite things: her best friend, Sadie, and her dog, Banana. She can't wait to celebrate her birthday with both of them.
But Anna's birthday party turns into a birthday disaster when Sadie starts a terrible fight that Anna never saw coming. Anna doesn't know why her best friend is suddenly acting like her worst enemy, but she knows she'd do anything to fix it. She and Banana just need to come up with a plan.
Only, what if Sadie doesn't want their friendship to be fixed?
Anna has two favorite things: her best friend, Sadie, and her dog, Banana. She can't wait to celebrate her birthday with both of them.
But Anna's birthday party turns into a birthday disaster when Sadie starts a terrible fight that Anna never saw coming. Anna doesn't know why her best friend is suddenly acting like her worst enemy, but she knows she'd do anything to fix it. She and Banana just need to come up with a plan.
Only, what if Sadie doesn't want their friendship to be fixed?
128 pages, Hardcover
First published May 5, 2015
16 people are currently reading
805 people want to read
About the author
Anica Mrose Rissi
20 books243 followersWriter, storyteller, editrix. Author of picture books, chapter books, middle grade, and YA. Fan of dogs and ice cream. Offers energetic, interactive presentations and writing workshops for students of all ages at libraries, festivals, and schools.
Anica Mrose Rissi grew up on an island off the coast of Maine, where she read a lot of books and loved a lot of pets. She now tells and collects stories, makes up songs on her violin, and eats cheese with her friends in central New Jersey, where she lives with her dog, Sweet Potato. As a former book editor turned writer and storyteller, Anica has spoken with kids and adults across the country about all pieces of the writing process. Her essays have been published by The Writer magazine and the New York Times, and she plays fiddle in and writes lyrics for the band Owen Lake and the Tragic Loves. Anica posts about bookish things at @anicarissi on Instagram.
Anica teaches in the Writing for Children & Young Adults MFA program at Vermont College of Fine Arts and is available for in-person and virtual writing workshops and presentations with groups of all sizes and ages. Find out more at http://anicarissi.com.
Author photograph (c) Kim Indresano
Anica Mrose Rissi grew up on an island off the coast of Maine, where she read a lot of books and loved a lot of pets. She now tells and collects stories, makes up songs on her violin, and eats cheese with her friends in central New Jersey, where she lives with her dog, Sweet Potato. As a former book editor turned writer and storyteller, Anica has spoken with kids and adults across the country about all pieces of the writing process. Her essays have been published by The Writer magazine and the New York Times, and she plays fiddle in and writes lyrics for the band Owen Lake and the Tragic Loves. Anica posts about bookish things at @anicarissi on Instagram.
Anica teaches in the Writing for Children & Young Adults MFA program at Vermont College of Fine Arts and is available for in-person and virtual writing workshops and presentations with groups of all sizes and ages. Find out more at http://anicarissi.com.
Author photograph (c) Kim Indresano
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
October 1, 2015
This is a really sweet read, an early chapter book that still has depth to the story. Anna's in a situation that many kids can probably identify with: her best friend is being kind of mean to her and they get in a fight and suddenly they're not best friends anymore. Anna's mad at Sadie for what she's done, but she's also being a little mean herself, and she really misses her best friend. Especially for such a short book, I think Anica Mrose Rissi does a great job of showing the characters rather than telling about them. It's also a nice blend of serious and funny.
It reminds me of the Johanna Hurwitz friendship stories I used to love as a little girl, but (of course) with a contemporary setting.
It reminds me of the Johanna Hurwitz friendship stories I used to love as a little girl, but (of course) with a contemporary setting.
February 19, 2023
This book is about 2 best friends who are having trouble. Our main character Anna has a birthday and her best friend Sadie takes her gifts from her party and she says nothing. Then Sadie is terrible to her forever and then the last chapter they are fine again with no explanation. This was just ugly with no explanation as to why and no apologies. Yuck.
January 10, 2019
dealing with friends can be difficult
December 2, 2015
Anna, Banana, and the Friendship Split by Anica Mrose Rissi, illustrated by Meg Park – Realistic Fiction – 2nd grade and up – Special little friendship story packed with humor and thoughtful caring.Appreciated that there was a tough situation that isn’t ever completely resolved, which I find quite good.
July 25, 2017
Fantastic look at friendship issues. Will be adding to my classroom library.
January 25, 2021
Wauw. Sadie er en bitch..
February 28, 2020
it was a real adventure the two friends got split up! I was happy thay got back together!
great book
great book
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 16, 2015
Anna Banana is absolutely adorable while still addressing our human instincts to protect our hearts when someone hurts us. The rebuilding of a friendship is much more powerful when we see, not only how much a friendship split hurts, but also what it might cost us to repair it. Rissi has set up the reader with a diverse and interesting cast of characters that are firmly anchored in the truth of what it means to navigate the bumpy road of growing pains.
May 16, 2015
I'm totally biased. I couldn't have loved it more.
March 15, 2022
Anna was an endearing character and reading her feelings as her friendship with Sadie crumbles and continues being unresolved for a week was familiar with me. Not because I lived the exact same experience (thankfully I haven’t) but I have felt these feelings of being angry with someone and them upset but needing to resolve it.
I think my biggest criticism is that Sadie is very toxic and it isn’t truly explained why she is suddenly so mean. Anna’s mother mentions jealousy as a possibility, but Anna and Sadie never discuss it (but maybe that’s how 8 year olds resolve things) they just go back to being friends.
I’m also not a fan of the whole “won’t talk about anything personal to my parents when I am a very young child still in need of adult support” trope. Nor “boys are gross, especially my brother; can’t stand him” - my brother and I had our fights when we were young, but I didn’t think he was gross nor did I only communicate with him to share insults. We were quite close and played together a lot.
I do like that Anna made a new friend, Isabel (she also sounds like a lovely person). And ultimately, I am happy that they resolve things and don’t just sit in their own bubble, angry at each other.
I think my biggest criticism is that Sadie is very toxic and it isn’t truly explained why she is suddenly so mean. Anna’s mother mentions jealousy as a possibility, but Anna and Sadie never discuss it (but maybe that’s how 8 year olds resolve things) they just go back to being friends.
I’m also not a fan of the whole “won’t talk about anything personal to my parents when I am a very young child still in need of adult support” trope. Nor “boys are gross, especially my brother; can’t stand him” - my brother and I had our fights when we were young, but I didn’t think he was gross nor did I only communicate with him to share insults. We were quite close and played together a lot.
I do like that Anna made a new friend, Isabel (she also sounds like a lovely person). And ultimately, I am happy that they resolve things and don’t just sit in their own bubble, angry at each other.
November 18, 2021
You Call That A Friend?
SPOILERS AHEAD
The first book in the ANNA, BANANA early chapter book series was an odd read for me. I have to admit, it was entertaining. Anna’s character is clear as day and very engaging.
However, I ran into some problems with how this book treats friendship. The main problem of the story is that Anna’s best friend, Sadie, steals her necklace and generally treats Anna as if she isn’t as good as her. This is resolved when Anna makes a new friend who teaches her how to stick up for herself, and Sadie apologizes. However, the reader doesn’t really get any indication that Sadie will in fact change her ways, which makes me wonder what this book is telling young kids about how they should allow their ‘friends’ to treat them. Maybe this is laid out better in the rest of the books in the series, but nothing about this first one is calling me to look up the rest of them.
SPOILERS AHEAD
The first book in the ANNA, BANANA early chapter book series was an odd read for me. I have to admit, it was entertaining. Anna’s character is clear as day and very engaging.
However, I ran into some problems with how this book treats friendship. The main problem of the story is that Anna’s best friend, Sadie, steals her necklace and generally treats Anna as if she isn’t as good as her. This is resolved when Anna makes a new friend who teaches her how to stick up for herself, and Sadie apologizes. However, the reader doesn’t really get any indication that Sadie will in fact change her ways, which makes me wonder what this book is telling young kids about how they should allow their ‘friends’ to treat them. Maybe this is laid out better in the rest of the books in the series, but nothing about this first one is calling me to look up the rest of them.
January 16, 2020
This was fine but I was disappointed that there were no real apologies at the end, from either Anna or Sadie. I felt like the whole book was leading up to a lesson about friendship, being angry, and making up. It is clear, as an adult reader, that Sadie is dealing with a lot of emotions regarding her parents' divorce, including abandonment issues, which would explain her behavior. However, this is never brought up or dealt with. I understand this is an easier chapter book geared toward younger readers but if you are going to put these issues into the book you need to follow through. There was a lot of potential to this book that fell flat or was ignored. Perhaps these issues are further discussed in the other Anna, Banana books but if you don't read past the first one you won't get closure.
October 29, 2024
I’m giving it 4 stars hopeful that the series comes with some more in depth take aways!
Anna and Sadie are besties. On Anna’s bday, Sadie hijacks her wish and from there, a riff in their friendship begins. I must say, throughout the story, Sadie is not painted as a good friend at all. While reading this with my kiddo, I had to remind her, friends do not treat each other this way. While not speaking, Anna befriends someone new. Isabel is fun, at going and sweet. I really liked how even when Anna or Sadie tried to pull Isabel into their drama, Isabel did not take sides, nor did she talk poorly of any one.
As the story progressed, there was a brief talk between Anna and her mother about Sadie’s behavior that had some valid teaching moments, but it was brief, and the the books wraps up the minimal conflict resolution and peace throughout the land.
Anna and Sadie are besties. On Anna’s bday, Sadie hijacks her wish and from there, a riff in their friendship begins. I must say, throughout the story, Sadie is not painted as a good friend at all. While reading this with my kiddo, I had to remind her, friends do not treat each other this way. While not speaking, Anna befriends someone new. Isabel is fun, at going and sweet. I really liked how even when Anna or Sadie tried to pull Isabel into their drama, Isabel did not take sides, nor did she talk poorly of any one.
As the story progressed, there was a brief talk between Anna and her mother about Sadie’s behavior that had some valid teaching moments, but it was brief, and the the books wraps up the minimal conflict resolution and peace throughout the land.
July 22, 2018
This is an entertaining realistic friendship story full of drama as Anna, the birthday girl has to deal with her best friend, Sadie who surprisingly just turns mean. This lively tale escalates as the girls' fight can't resolve itself. Anna has a loving supportive family and Banana her treasured dog, yet losing Sadie as a best friend is devastating. Attractive black & white pictures and non stop action makes this the kind of title that kids will beg for the sequel. I enjoyed it immensely because the girls' voices were so realistic and convincing. I'm delighted I finally discovered this series!
June 4, 2019
When Anna turns nine her best friend Sadie turns and starts to act horrible to her from stealing her wish and her birthday necklace present to getting her in trouble at school and saying mean things.
Only Isabel who sits by Sadie at school befriends Anna and the pair soon become good friends and Sadie gets to feel how Anna did, especially as her home life isn't great...
Showing the importance of friendship and sharing this short book is an engaging read about how it can impact young lives so much.
Only Isabel who sits by Sadie at school befriends Anna and the pair soon become good friends and Sadie gets to feel how Anna did, especially as her home life isn't great...
Showing the importance of friendship and sharing this short book is an engaging read about how it can impact young lives so much.
July 29, 2020
Anna's best friend Sadie has always been a bit bossy, but now she has crossed the line to mean.
Anna tries to cope without her best friend, and learns more about herself in the process.
Cute series, some may not like because there is no grand apology and didactic lesson in friendship. I think this is probably more true to life though, so no hate from me.
Anna is biracial. Isabel is Latina. Sadie is white.
Anna tries to cope without her best friend, and learns more about herself in the process.
Cute series, some may not like because there is no grand apology and didactic lesson in friendship. I think this is probably more true to life though, so no hate from me.
Anna is biracial. Isabel is Latina. Sadie is white.
January 2, 2019
I read the book Anna, Banana, and the Friendship Split. This book is about two friends had a fight and at last, they solved it. Anna's best friend is Sadie. They play together and talk together every time. But, on Anna's birthday, they had a fight. At last, they become friends again. I liked this book because it talks about friendships. It is a good book to read about.
July 31, 2017
This is a really great little book, that introduces very real characters facing very real issues for an early elementary school girl! My daughter was engrossed. I loved it and can't wait to get her the next one.
June 30, 2024
Such a cute read! Led to great opportunities talking to the littles about friendships and how complicated they could be, and how our friends SHOULD treat us. Also was a great time for my hot headed girl to learn about second chances and forgiveness XD
April 5, 2019
I don't really get why these girls are friends...but alright. Loved the dachshund though.
September 14, 2020
The story is well done. The author graciously donated a set of books to my library and when the students responded favorably, I ordered hardback copies.
June 8, 2022
Sadie was a friend to Anna. It was kind of mean to take Anna's birthday necklace and I didn't like that part.
June 18, 2019
Score! This was offered as a free book when my rising third grader signed up for the summer reading challenge at our local library. She gave a thumbs up on the series and asked if we could borrow the next installment. She finished it in one day.
September 17, 2019
I really liked this book because it was about to girls who weren’t friends because of a necklace that the other girl wanted and she was unhappy because she wanted it to and she didn’t want to be friends because she wanted the necklace too.
January 27, 2019
A wonderfully sensitive chapter book about what happens when a friendship turns sour and the importance of standing up for oneself. The writer excels at creating tension, and as a people-pleasing child (and adult TBH), this story made me so anxious for Anna.
Great resolution and I’m excited to read more in the series. Would recommend.
Great resolution and I’m excited to read more in the series. Would recommend.
December 19, 2016
[This is a review of books one and two in the Anna, Banana series.]
Anna has always shared everything with her best friend, Sadie, but she's not happy when, in book 1, Anna Banana and the Friendship Split, Sadie claims Anna's special birthday necklace as her own. Worse, now Sadie is ignoring Anna and acting like they are no longer friends. Forced to branch out, Anna grows closer to Isabel. When Anna and Sadie patch things up in book 2, Anna, Banana, and the Monkey in the Middle, suddenly Anna feels caught in the middle between the two girls, who pull her in opposite directions.
This new series gives honest and believable insight into the problems that sometimes arise in elementary school friendships. While none of the characters is especially well-developed, each girl represents a role in a friendship triangle that will be familiar to many readers. The girls also come from different racial backgrounds, which ensures the book will satisfy the outcry for more diverse books.
Strangely, despite the prominence of her name in the title of the series, Banana the dog does not figure heavily into either of these first two books, suggesting that she has been included only to facilitate the catchy title. While bananas work nicely with "split" and "monkey," the title loses its pizzazz when it becomes clear that the dog is tangential to the main focus. These books are very much about humans, which works very well, but will disappoint readers drawn in by the dog prints on the books' covers.
Other disappointments include gratuitous toilet humor (yes, kids like it but that doesn't mean the adults who write for them have to glorify it), the unrealistically easy resolution to the problems between Anna and Sadie without a proper apology or explanation and overall bland and forgettable writing. While this series is likely to find readers among third and fourth graders it pales in comparison to The Best Friend Battle and The Mean Girl Meltdown by Lindsey Eyre, which cover the same ground through the lens of a much more positive worldview.
Anna has always shared everything with her best friend, Sadie, but she's not happy when, in book 1, Anna Banana and the Friendship Split, Sadie claims Anna's special birthday necklace as her own. Worse, now Sadie is ignoring Anna and acting like they are no longer friends. Forced to branch out, Anna grows closer to Isabel. When Anna and Sadie patch things up in book 2, Anna, Banana, and the Monkey in the Middle, suddenly Anna feels caught in the middle between the two girls, who pull her in opposite directions.
This new series gives honest and believable insight into the problems that sometimes arise in elementary school friendships. While none of the characters is especially well-developed, each girl represents a role in a friendship triangle that will be familiar to many readers. The girls also come from different racial backgrounds, which ensures the book will satisfy the outcry for more diverse books.
Strangely, despite the prominence of her name in the title of the series, Banana the dog does not figure heavily into either of these first two books, suggesting that she has been included only to facilitate the catchy title. While bananas work nicely with "split" and "monkey," the title loses its pizzazz when it becomes clear that the dog is tangential to the main focus. These books are very much about humans, which works very well, but will disappoint readers drawn in by the dog prints on the books' covers.
Other disappointments include gratuitous toilet humor (yes, kids like it but that doesn't mean the adults who write for them have to glorify it), the unrealistically easy resolution to the problems between Anna and Sadie without a proper apology or explanation and overall bland and forgettable writing. While this series is likely to find readers among third and fourth graders it pales in comparison to The Best Friend Battle and The Mean Girl Meltdown by Lindsey Eyre, which cover the same ground through the lens of a much more positive worldview.
September 7, 2015
It is Anna's birthday and her best friend Sadie is over to celebrate. When Anna goes to blow out her candles and make a wish, Sadie convinces her to wish for a pony. Going against what she personally wants, Anna listens to Sadie, and later is surprised when she opens up a present with a beautiful pony necklace. Her wish came true!
Instead of being happy for Anna, Sadie turns mean and wants to steal Anna's dog, Banana. When that doesn't work, she takes Anna's new necklace claiming it is half hers anyway because she came up with the wish in the first place. Anna doesn't know what to do, and tries her very best to make up with Sadie, even saying sorry when things weren't her fault. Nothing seems to work until Anna decides to stiffen her spine and be mean right back. It makes her feel awful, but it works, and Sadie realizes she still wants to be friends.
My Thoughts-
This story rang true to me. I can remember well the angst of childhood and the cat fights between us young girls. This book is dead on as it addresses childhood behavior. Sadie's behavior is awful and poor Anna will do anything to win back her best friend. As an adult I couldn't help but think Anna would be better off without Sadie, but for a child, they would only feel as if they'd done something wrong and try to fix things.
I like that the parents and teacher are portrayed as trusted and intelligent individuals. The school setting will be familiar to children as well as the different events that take place. My only issue was that we never find out why Sadie is suddenly so mean and hateful. There is no satisfaction for the reader about Sadie. Anna just thinks that thinks are A Okay as soon as Sadie starts playing with her again. For that reason, I'm giving this read 4 stars!
Instead of being happy for Anna, Sadie turns mean and wants to steal Anna's dog, Banana. When that doesn't work, she takes Anna's new necklace claiming it is half hers anyway because she came up with the wish in the first place. Anna doesn't know what to do, and tries her very best to make up with Sadie, even saying sorry when things weren't her fault. Nothing seems to work until Anna decides to stiffen her spine and be mean right back. It makes her feel awful, but it works, and Sadie realizes she still wants to be friends.
My Thoughts-
This story rang true to me. I can remember well the angst of childhood and the cat fights between us young girls. This book is dead on as it addresses childhood behavior. Sadie's behavior is awful and poor Anna will do anything to win back her best friend. As an adult I couldn't help but think Anna would be better off without Sadie, but for a child, they would only feel as if they'd done something wrong and try to fix things.
I like that the parents and teacher are portrayed as trusted and intelligent individuals. The school setting will be familiar to children as well as the different events that take place. My only issue was that we never find out why Sadie is suddenly so mean and hateful. There is no satisfaction for the reader about Sadie. Anna just thinks that thinks are A Okay as soon as Sadie starts playing with her again. For that reason, I'm giving this read 4 stars!
November 16, 2015
It's Anna's birthday and she's celebrating with her family and her best friend Sadie. Being as it is her own special day, things couldn't possibly turn sour, right? Wrong. Shortly after opening presents one thing leads to another and Sadie ends up leaving, taking Anna's brand new birthday necklace she had received from her Nana and Grumps with her. The next day, Anna tries to make amends with her best friend but has no luck. It seems as if Sadie and Anna will never be friends again, but in the end they realize their friendship is not worth fighting about.
Bloom's Questions:
1. Remembering: What is the name of Anna's dog?
2. Understanding: Describe what happened before Sadie left Anna's house with the pony necklace.
3. Applying: If you were Anna, what plan would you come up with to get Sadie back as your best friend?
4. Analyzing: How would you contrast Anna and Sadie?
5. Evaluating: If you were Anna, would you have stuck with your original wish? Or would you have made a wish your best friend told you to? Justify your answer.
6. Creating: How would you rewrite a portion of the story from Sadie's point of view?
Rissi, A., & Park, M. (2015). Anna Banana and the Friendship Split. New York, NY: Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers.
Bloom's Questions:
1. Remembering: What is the name of Anna's dog?
2. Understanding: Describe what happened before Sadie left Anna's house with the pony necklace.
3. Applying: If you were Anna, what plan would you come up with to get Sadie back as your best friend?
4. Analyzing: How would you contrast Anna and Sadie?
5. Evaluating: If you were Anna, would you have stuck with your original wish? Or would you have made a wish your best friend told you to? Justify your answer.
6. Creating: How would you rewrite a portion of the story from Sadie's point of view?
Rissi, A., & Park, M. (2015). Anna Banana and the Friendship Split. New York, NY: Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers.
August 18, 2020
3.5****
Anna, Banana er en populær serie blandt piger omkring 6-9 år.
Bøgerne handler om pigen Anna, der bor sammen med sine forældre, storebroren Storm og deres søde hund Banana.
Historierne handler meget om venskab og den første bog handler om noget så ubehageligt som uvenskab.
Annas bedste veninde Sadie begynder at opføre sig virkelig modbydeligt overfor Anna, som ikke forstår en dyt.
Anna ender med at blive eddikesur og får virkelig lyst til at give igen. Men burde hun? Og hvorfor er Sadie så led?
Det er en virkelig fin historie og jeg blev selv helt sur på Annas vegne. Hun er altså virkelig led, hende Sadie. Men der er selvfølgelig en god grund og heldigvis handler historien også om, hvordan man bliver venner igen😊
Anna Banana bøgerne henvender sig til børn, der har knækket læsekoden og er kommet forbi læselet fasen. Der er billeder på ca hver tredje side og der er stor linjeafstand, så historien er overskuelig.
Jeg vil anbefale serien til samme læsere af fx Rosie Banks’ Det Hemmelige Rige og Sigge bøgerne. Det er nogenlunde samme sværhedsgrad🤓
📖Læseeksemplar lånt fra mit arbejde📖
Anna, Banana er en populær serie blandt piger omkring 6-9 år.
Bøgerne handler om pigen Anna, der bor sammen med sine forældre, storebroren Storm og deres søde hund Banana.
Historierne handler meget om venskab og den første bog handler om noget så ubehageligt som uvenskab.
Annas bedste veninde Sadie begynder at opføre sig virkelig modbydeligt overfor Anna, som ikke forstår en dyt.
Anna ender med at blive eddikesur og får virkelig lyst til at give igen. Men burde hun? Og hvorfor er Sadie så led?
Det er en virkelig fin historie og jeg blev selv helt sur på Annas vegne. Hun er altså virkelig led, hende Sadie. Men der er selvfølgelig en god grund og heldigvis handler historien også om, hvordan man bliver venner igen😊
Anna Banana bøgerne henvender sig til børn, der har knækket læsekoden og er kommet forbi læselet fasen. Der er billeder på ca hver tredje side og der er stor linjeafstand, så historien er overskuelig.
Jeg vil anbefale serien til samme læsere af fx Rosie Banks’ Det Hemmelige Rige og Sigge bøgerne. Det er nogenlunde samme sværhedsgrad🤓
📖Læseeksemplar lånt fra mit arbejde📖
October 5, 2015
Friendship is such a big thing, especially in the lives of children as they are still learning about what friendship is and how it does and doesn't work. I found this book to be a believable story about Anna and her friend, Sadie, having a fight. Unfortunately for Anna, the fight occurs on her birthday and results in Sadie walking off with her birthday necklace. At first Anna is willing to do anything to get Sadie back as her best friend, including giving up the necklace. But after a few days of the cold shoulder and her brother telling her to stand up for herself, Anna fights back. But it just may be that her efforts might ruin things for good. Not only is the story one that young readers (6-9 years-old) can easily relate to, but there is an adorable dog in the mix (Banana). A fun new series that is bound to win over lots of young fans, especially readers of Ivy and Bean, Judy Moody, or Junie B. Jones.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews