Inside Out and Back Again

Written in graceful yet powerful, poetic text, Inside Out and Back Again tells the story of ten-year-old Ha as she and her family leave war-torn Saigon and begin a new life in the American south.  Ha is revealed as both a witty and sly younger sister who looks to her brothers for support but is not above teasing and playing tricks on them.  Author Thanhha Lai, herself a Vietnamese refugee who came to America as a child, received the National Book Award as well as a Newbery Honor citation for this authentic and emotional story of the strength and the struggles of Ha, her mother and brothers.