I chose this book from my 5th grade library simply because I liked the cover--I do this sometimes because I know that is the way many of my students pick their books--I was blown away by my choice!
Inside Out and Back Again is a unique novel about Ha, a 10 year old Vietnamese girl living in South Vietnam in 1975. The war reaches Ha and her family during the celebration of Tet (Vietnamese New Year), and so the family flees to America.
Author Thanhha La chronicles the family's journey and integration into American life in a unique way: poems written by Ha. This poetic journal highlight's Ha's sharp wit, frustration, and longing for her homeland as she struggles to find her place in the strange and unfamiliar world that is her new home.
Excellent book!
I often read books that I enjoy, but when I find one that I truly love, it is a special moment--this is one of those books! Beginning with Ha's very first poem 1975:Year of the Cat, the reader gets a sense of the type of girl Ha is, stubborn, snarky, rebellious and witty:
(excerpt)
But last night I pouted
when Mother insisted
one of my brothers
must rise first
this morning
to bless our house
because only male feet
can bring luck.
An old, angry knot
expanded in my throat.
I decided
to wake before dawn
and tap my big toe
to the tile floor
first.
Not even Mother,
sleeping beside me, knew.
Everyone of Ha's poems brings vivid pictures and strong emotions to me because of La's expert use of imagery and figurative language. One in particular Inside Out, called to mind a famous work of graffiti by Artist Banksy--below is my visual response.
Inside Out and Back Again is a unique novel about Ha, a 10 year old Vietnamese girl living in South Vietnam in 1975. The war reaches Ha and her family during the celebration of Tet (Vietnamese New Year), and so the family flees to America.
Author Thanhha La chronicles the family's journey and integration into American life in a unique way: poems written by Ha. This poetic journal highlight's Ha's sharp wit, frustration, and longing for her homeland as she struggles to find her place in the strange and unfamiliar world that is her new home.
Excellent book!
I often read books that I enjoy, but when I find one that I truly love, it is a special moment--this is one of those books! Beginning with Ha's very first poem 1975:Year of the Cat, the reader gets a sense of the type of girl Ha is, stubborn, snarky, rebellious and witty:
(excerpt)
But last night I pouted
when Mother insisted
one of my brothers
must rise first
this morning
to bless our house
because only male feet
can bring luck.
An old, angry knot
expanded in my throat.
I decided
to wake before dawn
and tap my big toe
to the tile floor
first.
Not even Mother,
sleeping beside me, knew.
Everyone of Ha's poems brings vivid pictures and strong emotions to me because of La's expert use of imagery and figurative language. One in particular Inside Out, called to mind a famous work of graffiti by Artist Banksy--below is my visual response.