Inside Out And Back Again

Poetry- INSIDE OUT & BACK AGAIN by Thanhha Lai

Bibliographic Data
Inside Out & Back Again by Thanhha Lai
Harper ©2011
ISBN: 9780061962783

Plot Summary
Ten-year-old, Ha's life is been turned inside out. Ching Teller of Fate has predicted so when Ha is moved from Vietnam to Alabama USA. The story takes the reader on an emotional ride of culture, and humor, and engages all the senses as Ha transitions into her new reality.

Critical Analysis
Ha narrates as she tells her story. The free-verse format is used to express her young voice. Using phonetics is a way to display her voice and language barrier. Ha refers to things as objects even people. Unfortunately, Americans do not think she is very smart and look down upon her. But she is intelligent and witty in her head.

Ha wishes for a normal life. She wants to smile but lives in fear and anger. War has torn her world apart and has to learn how to live a brand new life. The language in this book engages all of the senses. Smelling the lavender in her mother's scent, flowers through her tears, and bitter fish sauce is tasted. Colors of people are often read in the story as well. Ha's culture comes through the story when rice and tamarind candy are described.

Awards & Review Excerpt(s)

“In haunting poems based on her own childhood experiences as a refugee in the deep South, Lai shares the sting of American ignorance and prejudice, the stigma of being thought "dumb" for not yet being fluent in the perplexities of English language spelling and pronunciation, the kindness of new friends, and the slow acceptance of inevitable change” (Children's Literature)

“Readers will be moved by Hà's sorrow as they recognize the anguish of being the outcast who spends lunchtime hiding in the bathroom.” (Booklist, Jan. 1, 2011 (Vol. 107, No. 9).

Connections

Students can talk about what happens to children during times of war. Students can also describe the feelings of starting in a new school or moving to a new city or country as a way to build an understanding of how one may feel when alone in a new place.