Inside Out & Back Again

 

1.BIBLIOGRAPHY

Lai, Thanhha. 2011. INSIDE OUT & BACK AGAIN. New York: Harper. ISBN 978-0-06-196279-0. 

2.  PLOT SUMMARY

This YA novel in verse is the story of Hà, the youngest in a Vietnamese family living through an ever-changing world in the 1970s.  Hà’s thoughts and observations sometimes seem like a typical, funny pre-teen, but she also conveys the tension of life with a missing father and a collapsing country. Her mother tries to hold on to hope, while she works hard to provide for her family. Hà’s three older brothers all have different coping mechanisms or preoccupations, from idolizing Bruce Lee to hoping for chicks. 

The book is partially autobiographical for the author, Thanhha Lai. The poems capture glimpses of the fear, the anger, and the heartbreak involved in leaving one’s homeland and relocating in a strange, new country. The story of this family’s resilience and strength is inspiring. 

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

This tragic story captures a very unique experience, but it also speaks to common themes of emigration. The age and innocence of the narrator affects the tone and mood of the book. Throughout the book, the poems vacillate between suffering and superficiality.  The absence of her father affects Hà differently than the other family members because she was so young when he disappeared. Therefore, she observes the suffering of her loved ones, and grieves more for them than she does for herself.  

The form and syntax of the free verse structure complement the voice of a narrator whose first language is not English.  Her descriptions are usually short and simple, without complex sentence structure or elevated vocabulary.  The stanzas are usually short, and she uses sparsity for emphasis. 

There is so much of Hà’s experience that feels symbolic. Food is one example.  She is happy when she eats the goodies of the market. Times are bleak when they have little to eat on the Navy ship where they take refuge. When the Americans connect with them on the water, food is the most noted difference. Symbolism and spiritualism add layers of meaning to the adolescent perspective. The  papaya and the gong symbolize hope and peace in the household; both lost and then regained- inside out and back again. 

4. AWARDS & REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

Booklist Starred

Kirkus Reviews Starred

Newbery Honor, 2012

School Library Journal Starred, Dec, 2011: “Told in verse, the story features a spirited child who misses her homeland and faces bullies, unfriendly people, and perfectly horrid American food. A tender tale, leavened with humor and hope.” 

5. CONNECTIONS

*To draw attention to the refugee experience, this book can be paired with other middle grade highly-reviewed books such as When Stars are Scattered by Victoria Jamieson or The Night Diary by Veera Hiranandani.