Inside Out and Back Again
Bibliography:
Thanhha, L. (2013).INSIDE OUT AND BACK AGAIN. HarperCollins.
ISBN 978-0061962790
Plot Summary: 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 and forced Hà and her family to flee as their beloved Saigon falls into the enemy hands of the communist north and board a ship with the hopes of finding a better life. In America, Hà discovers the foreign world of Alabama and the coldness of its strangers, the dullness of its food, and the strength of her very own family.
Critical Analysis: In this diary-like account of Ha’s life during the Vietnam War, the author recounts her life story detailing the usual goings-on in Vietnam and later in the United States during the war. The author uses poetry-like stanzas in her writing and separates each sentence or pair of sentences into stanzas as if to emphasize the importance of each individual instance of Ha’s life. Many people reading this story will connect because they draw connections between Ha’s personal battles and those of their own.
Although their cultures may be different, the struggles and hardships experienced may be the very reason they themselves decided to make a change. This book would be more appropriate for an older audience due to the sensitive topic of the war as well as the advanced vocabulary. The book could also be appropriate for students who are learning about the Vietnam War as it shares some very important historical facts and details.
Review Excerpt(s):
Newbery Honor
“Recounting events that resemble her own family's 1975 flight from Saigon, Lai pens a novel in vividly imagined verse. In Alabama, Ha is daunted by challenges including mastering idiosyncratic English. Many people are cruelly antagonistic, but Ha soon finds allies at school. Spare language captures the sensory disorientation of changing cultures as well as a refugee's complex emotions and kaleidoscopic loyalties.”-Horn Book
“Narrating in sparse free-verse poems, 10-year-old Hà brings a strong, memorable voice to the immigrant experience as her family moves from war-torn South Vietnam to Alabama in 1975. First-time author Lai, who made the same journey with her family, divides her novel into four sections set in Vietnam, "At Sea," and the last two in Alabama. Lai gives insight into cultural and physical landscapes, as well as a finely honed portrait of Hà's family as they await word about Hà's POW father and face difficult choices (awaiting a sponsor family, "...Mother learns/ sponsors prefer those/ whose applications say -Christians.'/ Just like that/ Mother amends our faith,/ saying all beliefs/ are pretty much the same"). The taut portrayal of Hà's emotional life is especially poignant as she cycles from feeling smart in Vietnam to struggling in the States, and finally regains academic and social confidence. A series of poems about English grammar offer humor and a lens into the difficulties of adjusting to a new language and customs ("Whoever invented English/ should be bitten by a snake"). An incisive portrait of human resilience. Ages 8-12. (Mar.)”- Publisher’s Weekly
Connection:
*Students can compare and contrast their own experiences with elements of the story. The students could be implementing cultural representation.
*Students can find the elements of the poems- figurative language, mood, type, form, and imagery.
Books that are similar to this genre:
Yolen, Jane. OWL MOON. ISBN 978-0399214578
Comments
Post a Comment