Inside Out and Back Again

Inside Out and Back Again by Thanhh Lai

Winner of the National Book Award, a Newbery Honor, and a #1 New York Times bestseller

Inspired by the author's childhood experience as a refugee--fleeing Vietnam after the Fall of Saigon and immigrating to Alabama--this coming-of-age debut novel told in verse has been celebrated for its touching child's-eye view of family and immigration.

This Harper Classic edition includes an author's note explaining how and why Thanhha Lai translated her personal experiences into this book, an interview with the author, an activity you can do with your family, tips on writing poetry, and discussion questions.

H has only ever known Saigon: the thrills of its markets, the joy of its traditions, and the warmth of her friends close by. But now the Vietnam War has reached her home. H and her family are forced to flee as Saigon falls, and they board a ship headed toward hope--toward America.

Inside Out and Back Again is the moving story of one girl's year of change, dreams, grief, and healing. This book was named to multiple state lists, received four starred reviews, and was hailed as a best book of the year by Publishers Weekly, Kirkus, School Library Journal, and the Chicago Public Library.

Thanhha Lai was born in Vietnam and immigrated to the United States in 1975. She graduated from the University of Texas with a journalism degree and worked for the Orange County Register for two years before deciding to pursue fiction writing. She teaches writing at Parsons The New School of Design and lives in New York City with her family.