Inside Out and Back Again

Inside Out and Back Again

By Thanhha Lai

117 ratings 154 reviews 182 followers
Interest LevelReading LevelReading A-ZATOSWord Count
Grades 4 - 8Grades 3 - 5U4.814925

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.

For all the ten years of her life, Hà has only 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. In America, Hà discovers the foreign world of Alabama: the coldness of its strangers, the dullness of its food . . . and the strength of her very own family.

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.

Publisher: HarperCollins
ISBN-13: 9780061962783
ISBN-10: 0061962783
Published on 2/22/2011
Binding: Hardcover
Number of pages: 272

Book Reviews (147)

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This is the story of a girl named Ha, a refugee from Vietnam who starts out her life in the United States after escaping the violence of the Vietnam War. Ha is resilient, funny, and smart, and she perseveres through challenges like learning English and getting bullied. It's a great book!

I want this book soo bad. I'm gonna order it at my local book store.

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It is OK

This book is my favorite book. it is very sad at some points.it really made me be extra grateful of my family and things. I would give this book a 5 star. this book is amazing.

i love it so much !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

it's pretty good

I LOVE THIS BOOK SO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This book was so touching and sad that I had to stop reading it for a while, but when I actually got through it, it was so well written and I loved it! I normally don't like historical fiction, but this time, it was enchanting, gripping, and captured the feelings of the time very well.

This book was so sad, but at the same time it was heart touching

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