Inside Out and Back Again: A Newbery Honor Award Winner

Thanhhà Lai

Feb 2011 · Sold by Harper Collins

About this ebook

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 updated digital edition also includes an interview with the author, an activity you can do with your family, tips on writing poetry, and discussion questions.

Ratings and reviews

At first, the prose and writing style was unbearable to read. As I got into the reading, I could not put it down. I wanted to know what would happen next. I could reflect and remember all those times in elementary school learning English as second language and learning French in high school as a third language. This book is unique hilarious, creative, and recommend others to read it.

Good kid book currently reading it in 8th grade if you wanna learn about the Vietnam war this is the novel for you.

I AM 12 AND I THINK THIS IS AN A AMAZING BOOK FOR YOUNG MINDS WAR IN SAGON 1975 FOR A 10 YEAR OLD GIRL AND HER FAMILY LOVE ♡

About the author

Thanhhà Lại is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the National Book Award and Newbery Honor–winning Inside Out and Back Again; the celebrated Listen, Slowly; the teen novel Butterfly Yellow; and the picture book Hundred Years of Happiness. She was born in Việt Nam and now lives in New York.