Inside Out and Back Again

by Thanhha Lai

Inside Out and Back Again is a #1 New York Times bestseller, a Newbery Honor Book, and a winner of the National Book Award!

Inspired by the author's childhood experience as a refugee—fleeing Vietnam after the Fall of Saigon and immigrating to Alabama—this coming-of-age debut novel told in verse has been celebrated for its touching child's-eye view of family and immigration.



Hà has only ever known Saigon: the thrills of its markets, the joy of its traditions, and the warmth of her friends close by. But now the Vietnam War has reached her home. Hà and her family are forced to flee as Saigon falls, and they board a ship headed toward hope—toward America.

This moving story of one girl's year of change, dreams, grief, and healing received four starred reviews, including one from Kirkus which proclaimed it "enlightening, poignant, and unexpectedly funny."

An author's note explains how and why Thanhha Lai translated her personal experiences into Hà's story. This paperback edition also includes an interview with the author, an activity you can do with your family, tips on writing poetry, and discussion questions.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Poetry, Middle Grade, Young Adult, Fiction, Childrens, Historical

288 pages, Paperback

First published February 22, 2011

About the author

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 and then spent the next decade correcting her grammar. Starting her writing life as a 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 anthologies. Then came "Inside Out & Back Again", a National Book Award and Newbery Honor-winning verse novel based in part on her childhood as a refugee in Alabama. Next was "Listen, Slowly", another middle grade novel featuring a young Vietnamese-American girl. Her most recent work, "Butterfly Yellow", is also her first foray into the YA genre. Lai lives with her husband, daughter and a little white dog in New York City.

To stay updated about Thanhha's writing, visit www.thanhhalai.com and follow her on social media:

Facebook: facebook.com/ThanhhaLaiWriter

Twitter: twitter.com/ThanhhaLai

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