Bibliography
Lai, Thanhha. 2011. Inside Out & Back Again. Harper Collins Children's Books. New York:NY. 978-0-06-196278.
About the Book
This verse novel is a new historical fiction that could also enhance a multicultural collection in a children's or young adult section. The short lines and appearance of the text on each page helps reluctant readers or possibly ESL students feel that this novel is more manageable for them to read. The story presented by Ms. Lai is taken from her own life experience of moving from Vietnam in 1975 to Alabama. Her first introductions to school, American traditions (such as Christmas), and the trials her entire family experience as they try to find their place in this new world. Since her father has been missing for nine years in the Vietnam War, Ha (the main character) flees with her mother and three brothers by boat to Guam, then Florida, and finally to Alabama where they meet their sponsor. This simple presentation of the hardships and rewards of those immigrants who move to America is eye-opening and helps the reader evaluate his or her own reaction to people in this difficult situation. Lai artfully presents her realistic descriptions in a sequenced narrative that is historically significant through her use of believable characters and dramatic situations. I would recommend this book for library collections that service patrons from grades 4 - 8.
Book Excerpt
As soon as I remove my coat,
everyone stops talking.
A girl in red velvet
comes over to me.
Don't ya know flannel
is for nightgowns and sheets?
I panic.
The red-velvet girl
points to the middle
of my chest.
See this flower?
They only put that
on nightgowns.
I look down
at the tiny blue flower
barely stitched on.
I rip it off.
Nightgown no more.
Activities
*Reader's Theater- using multiple copies of the book, assign characters, including Ha, the narrator and allow students to read a selected excerpt from the book.
*After reading the selected excerpt above aloud to the class, instruct students to write a passage describing a situation that they might find themselves in, such as wearing pajamas as regular clothes.
*After reading this novel, ask students to read another historical or realistic fiction novel and compare the character's experiences.
About the Book
This verse novel is a new historical fiction that could also enhance a multicultural collection in a children's or young adult section. The short lines and appearance of the text on each page helps reluctant readers or possibly ESL students feel that this novel is more manageable for them to read. The story presented by Ms. Lai is taken from her own life experience of moving from Vietnam in 1975 to Alabama. Her first introductions to school, American traditions (such as Christmas), and the trials her entire family experience as they try to find their place in this new world. Since her father has been missing for nine years in the Vietnam War, Ha (the main character) flees with her mother and three brothers by boat to Guam, then Florida, and finally to Alabama where they meet their sponsor. This simple presentation of the hardships and rewards of those immigrants who move to America is eye-opening and helps the reader evaluate his or her own reaction to people in this difficult situation. Lai artfully presents her realistic descriptions in a sequenced narrative that is historically significant through her use of believable characters and dramatic situations. I would recommend this book for library collections that service patrons from grades 4 - 8.
Book Excerpt
As soon as I remove my coat,
everyone stops talking.
A girl in red velvet
comes over to me.
Don't ya know flannel
is for nightgowns and sheets?
I panic.
The red-velvet girl
points to the middle
of my chest.
See this flower?
They only put that
on nightgowns.
I look down
at the tiny blue flower
barely stitched on.
I rip it off.
Nightgown no more.
Activities
*Reader's Theater- using multiple copies of the book, assign characters, including Ha, the narrator and allow students to read a selected excerpt from the book.
*After reading the selected excerpt above aloud to the class, instruct students to write a passage describing a situation that they might find themselves in, such as wearing pajamas as regular clothes.
*After reading this novel, ask students to read another historical or realistic fiction novel and compare the character's experiences.
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