Inside Out and Back Again by Thanhhà Lai

Inside Out and Back Again

A Newbery Honor Award Winner

Thanhhà Lai

HarperCollins · Print & ebook · January 2, 2013

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Who it’s for
A clear, intimate verse novel meets upheaval with a child’s-eye view and unexpected humor.
Themes
Refugee experience and immigration, Family and belonging, Change, grief, and healing
Genres
Immigration & Moving, Historical Asia, US: Asian American Stories

About this book

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.

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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 Thanhhà Lại 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.

A Year in Verse

A clear, intimate verse novel meets upheaval with a child’s-eye view and unexpected humor.

Come here for

  • A refugee story shaped by family, change, grief, and healing
  • The rhythms and warmth of Hà’s Saigon before departure

Expect

  • A coming-of-age story told in verse
  • A touching perspective with room for unexpected humor

Where it sits

Immigration & Moving92%
US: Asian American Stories67%
Historical Asia39%

Percentages are BookFrontier’s reading of the book.

Publisher categories

  • The Classics
  • US: Asian American Stories
  • 20th-Century U.S.
  • Horror & Ghost Stories
Show all 8 publisher categories
  • Stories Set in Asia
  • Magic & Fantasy
  • New Experiences
  • Immigration & Moving
Authors
Thanhhà Lai
Publisher
HarperCollins
Published
January 2, 2013
Format
Print & ebook
Theme
Refugee experience and immigration · Family and belonging · Change, grief, and healing
Reading lane
The Classics