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14th out of 281 books
—
437 voters
Inside Out and Back Again
by
Thanhha Lai
No one would believe me but at times I would choose wartime in Saigon over peacetime in Alabama.
For all the ten years of her life, HÀ has only known Saigon: the thrills of its markets, the joy of its traditions, the warmth of her friends close by . . . and the beauty of her very own papaya tree.
But now the Vietnam War has reached her home. HÀ and her family are forced to...more
For all the ten years of her life, HÀ has only known Saigon: the thrills of its markets, the joy of its traditions, the warmth of her friends close by . . . and the beauty of her very own papaya tree.
But now the Vietnam War has reached her home. HÀ and her family are forced to...more
Kindle Edition, 208 pages
Published
February 2nd 2011
by Harper Collins, Inc
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{This review originally appeared on Clear Eyes, Full Shelves.}
Thanhha Lai writes her verses in her award winning middle grade novel...more
I now understand
when they make fun of my name,
yelling ha-ha-ha down the hall
when they ask if I eat dog meat,
barking and chewing and falling down laughing
when they wonder if I lived in the jungle with tigers,
growling and stalking on all fours.
I understand
because Brother Khoi
nodded into my head
on the bike ride home
when I asked if kids
said the same things
at his school.
Thanhha Lai writes her verses in her award winning middle grade novel...more
12 likes · like · see review
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May 24, 2011
Wendy
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
2011-award-possibilities,
newbery-honor
Hey, reviewers? A lot of you are using the word "prose" where you mean "poetry", and I can't take it.
Also, there are actually lots and lots of kids' and YA books written in verse. Thanks.
Anyway, actual review: I find it difficult to review this, just like I found it difficult to review the last novel-in-verse about a Vietnamese refugee in the 1970s that I read, All the Broken Pieces. Like anything negative I might say is me judging the immigrant experience itself.
At first I didn't like this that...more
Also, there are actually lots and lots of kids' and YA books written in verse. Thanks.
Anyway, actual review: I find it difficult to review this, just like I found it difficult to review the last novel-in-verse about a Vietnamese refugee in the 1970s that I read, All the Broken Pieces. Like anything negative I might say is me judging the immigrant experience itself.
At first I didn't like this that...more
8 likes · like · see review
Jun 21, 2011
babyhippoface
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
all teachers
Read this straight through in one evening. It repeatedly put me in mind of an outstanding teacher at my school, whose family immigrated to the United States when she was about Ha's age. When we had a "Guess That Baby Picture" contest at school, she brought a school photo of herself around the age of 8, because that was all she had. There were no baby photos of her, no visual memories of her early years; they were too poor for photographs. All through this book I kept thinking, "I wonder if this...more
11 likes · like · see review
This was lovely. The free verse this was written in gave the writing a very pert and matter-of-fact feel. There're literally too many things to quote from this. Excellent female role-models ☑ beautiful writing ☑ exposé of racism ☑ strong focus on immigration and cultural dichotomies ☑ all-round excellence ☑.
I know that was quoted on the sleeve and how ~unoriginal~ of me to not find a quote of my own...more
"No-one would believe me but at times I would choose wartime in Saigon over peacetime in Alabama."
I know that was quoted on the sleeve and how ~unoriginal~ of me to not find a quote of my own...more
I will admit that I haven't read many 'immigrant experience' stories, but this one really got me. I also don't typically love journal entry style narratives, but it totally works here. It felt absolutely true in every sense of the word. Perhaps it's because the author drew from her real-life experiences, but the narrator, ten year old Vietnamese immigrant Hà, truly lives and breathes. And what is even more surprising, so do all the other characters.
I kept thinking of how the brothers in The Evo...more
I kept thinking of how the brothers in The Evo...more
It’s the end of the long Vietnam War and Ha and her family live in Vietnam. It’s a beautiful place, despite the war going on all around them, with delicious food and lush gardens. Ha does brilliant work in school and she has a wonderful, close-knit family. It’s a small Eden in the midst of the terrible war.
Then the family cannot put things off any longer; the country they love is collapsing and they must leave Vietnam. The family escapes on a packed boat and is taken in by a cowboy in the Americ...more
Then the family cannot put things off any longer; the country they love is collapsing and they must leave Vietnam. The family escapes on a packed boat and is taken in by a cowboy in the Americ...more
3 likes · like · see review
The book that I read for my book log is Inside Out & Back Again by Thannha Lee. This book follows Hà, a young Vietnamese girl, in the aftermath of the Vietnam War. Hà, her mother and three brothers (Quang, Vu Lee and Khôi) are forced to escape their home in Saigon before it is invaded and take refuge on a ship headed for America. The family is reluctant to leave, mainly because they don't want to abandon their father, who has been missing and would have no idea where they had gone should he...more
I enjoyed this book. I thought the cultural insight it gave about the need and times of leaving Vietnam, as well as the experience of coming to America, were so thought-provoking, genuine, and raw. At times, it had me holding my breath, fighting back tears, and wondering the impact I have had on others... As a teacher, I think this would make a great read-aloud for students in the upper elementary grades. There are so many discussion points, and yet, I don't know that the book would have the sam...more
Inside Out and Back Again is the story of a young ten year old girl named Hà who lived in Saigon during the Vietnamese War. Hà and her mother and two brothers boarded a ship to America after Saigon is invaded during the war. In America, Hà and her family lived with a sponsor from Alabama. Hà had a very hard time transitioning to her new home in Alabama. She was constantly made fun of in school and had a tough time making friends. While struggling with this hard transition to America, Hà and her...more
1 like · like · see review
‘Inside Out & Back Again’ is on the 2014 Sequoyah Children’s Masterlist and is a quick read written in verse-like prose recommended for Grades 4 – 8. This book is based on the author’s own life story of moving to America when the Vietnam War ended in 1975. What a truly harrowing experience that must have been for the author for we know how many Americans felt about the Vietnamese during that time frame. Thanhha Lai’s ‘Inside Out & Back Again’ won the 2011 National Book Award for young pe...more
This historical fiction book is told in short free-verse poems and is based on the author's personal experience as a child. Ha and her family live in Saigon during the Vietnam War. When Saigon falls to the enemy, Ha and her family, along with many others, flee the country aboard a crowded ship. The family ends up in Alabama where they must learn new cutoms, grammar and daily life. At first, Ha finds her refuge in her new home and new school to be cruel and full of rejection, but things begin to...more
Such a beautifully written book poetry! I read this one with my fourth grade class and they loved it too (I believe we also rated it five stars). Ha is a refugee from Vietnam during the Vietnam War. She tells her story through poetry where we get to experience her world falling to pieces and blown to bits by bombs around her, fleeing her country with her family only to be stuck on a boat in poor conditions with hundreds of others, and finally her arrival in the US where she acclimates to living...more
This young adult chapter book takes you on ride that you will never forget. It is about a young girl and her family who are forced to move from Saigon to the Alabama by ship when the Vietnam War approaches. This story is about the family’s transition to the states and the difficulties they have adjusting to their new life while leaving their old life behind. This incredible story focuses on Ha’s perspective as the audience learns about the life of Thanhha Lai, the author of this heartfelt story....more
This story is very rich in culture details this story discusses how Ha lived in Vietnam and of the culture shock she experienced when she came to America. The story also tells of some of the different customs her family has that are different then American customs. One being in the beginning of the book when she is not allowed to go into the kitchen or it will ruin the luck of the family for the year. In the story Ha also discusses Buddhism and her religion. The story also tells of how some Amer...more
Apr 15, 2013
Summer Cull
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
historical-fiction
Há, her mother, and three brothers are forced to move to the United States because of the Vietnam war. After time in a refugee camp they move to Alabama where the family lives with a farmer and his wife. Há is forced to go to school where they only teach in English (a language she does not know), take on a new religion that is not her own, and adapt to an overall culture she does not understand. Along with all of these changes, her mother and brothers are also trying to accept the death of her...more
Inside Out & Back Again deals with racism and adversity, specifically in the United States with regards to Vietnamese (and in some cases, Asians in general) during the Vietnam War. Ha, a 10 year old Vietnamese girl who must face prejudice as she escapes from Vietnam with her family and ends up in non-progressive white washed Alabama. Her situation is just a glimpse at to what someone (which there were many people in similar situations as her) has to deal with during this era as a minority –...more
This book honestly had so many great qualities about it that make it a contender for the Newbery Medal. Its historical context sets the mood well to start the book out in that you get a feeling as to what the family is going through and the conflict they are dealing with personally. The “new kid in town” theme is extremely present once the family arrives in America; the fact that only one of them speaks English doesn’t necessarily help their case that much. Since Ha is ten years old, most youth...more
Thanhha Lai does an incredible job of remembering back to her childhood to recreate her feelings and memories from her families move to America during the war between North and South Korea. The memories are depicted through a layout of poems that use childhood understandings and explanations of the world to innocently portray the people in that culture of change and turmoil. The times were hard for families during the move, the journey they had to take was shown to the reader through rich text a...more
Comments: Inside Out & Back Again is a refreshing take on the chapter book. It is prose, written in the form of poetry. This is one of many unique features which made it easier for me to “get into” the book. The text read like the diary of Kim Ha, throughout her journey. It was very inviting and lively, despite the vast challenges she faced. The language was beautiful as well as it was believable that a smart girl such as Ha, even at 10 years old, could and would articulate to herself, her f...more
Feb 19, 2013
Jessica
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
young-adult-lit-1-12
All of her life H`a has only known Saigon: its markets and landscape, the people, and most importantly her papaya tree that produces the sweet fruit that she loves so much. But as the Vietnam War reaches her home her family has no choice but to flee to a distant land called America. Once there H`a and her family move to Alabama and discover the foreign culture that they are forced to call home. Dealing with the language barrier and the stereotypes H`a and her family come to understand what true...more
This book is about a young girl named Há who is forced to leave her home during the Vietnamese war. It is completely in poetry form as it tells the story from her perspective. Her family deals with the danger and fears as they leave their home onto giant ships. They experience hardship and frustration as they come to the United States and try to adapt their lives to their new home. Há is forced to face the insecurities of growing up along with the insecurities of being a foreign student in a new...more
This is a story about a 10 year old girl named Ha who is living in Saigon around the time of the Vietnam War and he father has been MIA for a few months now. Things start to get bad there and school is cancelled. Her fathers friend comes and tells them that there are navy ships that are going to be leaving and the families of the navy can leave on these ships to get out of the country for safety. Their family ends up going to America and being sponsored by a man in Alabama. This story shows what...more
This book is told in poetry, which turns out to be the most adept way to represent the frustrated world view of a young girl, Ha, ripped form her home in Saigon. After it is clear that the Vietnam War will overrun her home, she and her family have to leave behind Ha's beloved papaya tree and her brother's baby chics. Even when they find their way to America, Ha wishes she could run back to Saigon, no matter the war! It takes a lot of courage, reaching out, and determination to learn to get along...more
Ha is a young girl that is taken from the land she loves because of war in Vietnam. She leaves behind her whole life, he joys, he hobbies, and her papaya tree that she loved. After a daring escape, she moves to America and must adjust to very different food, clothing, abuses, and other difficulties. From language barriers to cultural differences, life in America is very trying for Ha. She grows, but as anyone in her shoes, feels frustrated, angry, and vengeful. She hopes for the return of her fa...more
A ten year old girl named Ha, her mother, and her three older brothers leave their home in Saigon during the war in Vietnam. They make their way to Alabama, where Ha has to deal with living in a new land, with a new language, and rude classmates, which she misses her home, her papaya tree, and her father, who was captured years ago and presumed dead.
The synopsis for this story is pretty short, because the plot is fairly simple and it's a fast read. I have to say, I really like the style of the b...more
The synopsis for this story is pretty short, because the plot is fairly simple and it's a fast read. I have to say, I really like the style of the b...more
Absolutely LOVED it! My 10 year old son read it for a project at school. He said it was one I would like....he was so right. Below is a summary of his review. You can check out the entire review at www.seasidebooknook.com.
Ha is a ten year old girl living in South Vietnam. She planted a papaya seed and has watched it grow over the years. She loves the papaya fruit. Ha gets teased by her three older brothers. Her Ma is raising all four kids by herself and works two jobs to be able to feed her fami...more
Ha is a ten year old girl living in South Vietnam. She planted a papaya seed and has watched it grow over the years. She loves the papaya fruit. Ha gets teased by her three older brothers. Her Ma is raising all four kids by herself and works two jobs to be able to feed her fami...more
Inside Out and Back Again is a poetic story about a young girl's transition from war-torn Vietnam to Alabama. A note from the author explains that this book is semi-autobiographical, as she herself also fled Vietnam at the end of the war at the tender age of 10, had to learn English, had to deal with taunts and bullies as she built a new life for herself with her family in Alabama.
The poetic style emphasizes words in a beautiful way, bringing out the feelings of the work in a way that prose coul...more
The poetic style emphasizes words in a beautiful way, bringing out the feelings of the work in a way that prose coul...more
2 likes · like · see review
Hà and her family are forced to leaves their home in Saigon, Vietnam because of the Vietnam war. While they avoided imminent death caused by the war, new challenges await them in their new home of Alabama. They must learn a new language, culture and religion if they ever hope to fit in.
I really enjoyed this book. I espescially love the format it is written in. Rather than being written in paragraphs it is written like a large free verse poem. Reading this book makes the reader sympathize with Hà...more
I really enjoyed this book. I espescially love the format it is written in. Rather than being written in paragraphs it is written like a large free verse poem. Reading this book makes the reader sympathize with Hà...more
This is the story of Ha and her family as they are forced to flee their Vietnam home for the safety of the United States. Ha and her three brothers face varying degrees of reconciliation with their new situation as they are subjected to the different culture in Alabama. Ha faces bullying and racism at school and from some of her neighbors, but with the help of the kindly and understanding Mrs. Washington, Ha faces her troubles at school and learns to overcome her trials in a new land.
I loved the...more
I loved the...more
Inside Out and Back Again is the story of a young Japanese girl named Ha who moves from her homeland during the Vietnam and after her father had been missing in action for several years. The story is about Ha and how she moves to the United States with her mother. After several months in a refugee camp, she moves to Alabama and learns how to live her life in a new country with strange traditions and different traditions. She is bullied at school because of her differences, but refuses to let the...more
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wild Things: YA G...: Inside Out and Back Again | 1 | 2 | Feb 09, 2013 01:45pm | |
| Children's Books: December 2012 - Inside Out and Back Again (2012 Honor Book) | 10 | 75 | Dec 08, 2012 10:27pm | |
| Red Dot Books: Ol...: The Best and the Worst? | 1 | 3 | Oct 21, 2012 03:49am |
Thanhha Lai was born in Vietnam. At the end of the war, she fled with her family to Alabama. There, she learned English from fourth graders. She then spent the next decade correcting her grammar. Starting her writing life as journalist, she worked at The Orange County Register. She switched to fiction, leading to an MFA from New York University and short story publications in various journals and...more
More about Thanhha Lai...
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1 trivia question
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“Oh, my daughter,
at times you have to fight,
but preferably
not with your fists.”
—
17 people liked it
at times you have to fight,
but preferably
not with your fists.”
“People living on others' goodwill cannot afford political opinions.”
—
6 people liked it
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