INSIDE OUT AND BACK AGAIN by Thanhha Lai

Verse Novel

Lai, Thanhha. 2011. INSIDE OUT & BACK AGAIN. New York: HarperCollins Publishers. ISBN 9780061962783.

Summary

Inside Out & Back Again is a novel in verse narrated by a ten year old girl, Hà, who lives in Saigon. The markets and traditions of Saigon is all she has known her whole life, and all her friends are here in Saigon. The Vietnam War has come to her home, and her family must flee their home. They are forced to choose only what will fit into a small bag to take with them. Hà and her family board a ship, along with hundreds of other refugees, and head toward their new life and new hope. 

The verse novel takes us through a year of change for Hà and her family as they try to make a new home for themselves in Alabama. They are met with coldness from their neighbors, and Hà and her brothers are left out at school. Hà hates this new land and the food at first, but she learns to lean on her family and trust friends. 

Critical Analyses

Inside Out & Back Again is beautifully written and evokes numerous sensory images. Hà's favorite food is the papaya, and throughout the book the reader can taste and feel the papaya with the sensory images that Thanhha Lai uses. The poetic form of the book is almost a must for this story, and I don't think it would be as good written in prose. The lines pause in perfect timing, so that the reader is forced to pause and take in the words. The short chapters/poems will be appealing to the young adult reader, however, even though the chapters are short they are packed with meaning. Filled with metaphors and similes, the author artistically places Hà's joys, fears, and other emotions into the book. 

The novel is told in first person and in the present tense, so the reader is able to experience Hà's year of change through her own words. At the end of the book is included an author's note, and we find that the events in this book are events that happened to the author, Thanhha Lai.  

Spotlight Poem

Two More Papayas

I see them first.

Two green thumbs

that will grow into

orange-yellow delights

smelling of summer.

Middle sweet

between a mango and a pear.

Soft as a yam

gliding down

after three easy,

thrilling chews.

April 5

Classroom Activities

Prior to reading the above poem, show students papayas, or images of papaya trees. If possible, have small slices of papayas for students to eat. After reading the poem, discuss students favorite foods. If you have students that are from other countries, allow them to talk about foods they miss from their home country. 

Have the students write a poem of their favorite food, describing the look, feel, and taste of the food.

Before introducing the book, ask students what they already know about the Vietnam War. Show photographs from this era. Research the Vietnam War in great detail while reading this novel with your class. Have students find out the role of Ho Chi Minh and communism in the war. 

The novel begins and ends on Têt, the Vietnamese New Year. Add this day to the celebrations you have in class, and have students explore more about the celebration. Have discussions on how Hà's life has changed from one Têt to the next Têt. Then allow students to write about, or share in other ways, how they have changed in the past year and what their new wishes are for the coming year. 

Awards for INSIDE OUT & BACK AGAIN

National Book award for Young People's Literature 2011

John Newbery Award 2012