Inside Out and Back Again

Inside Out and Back Again is a #1 New York Times bestseller, a Newbery Honor Book, and a winner of the National Book Award!

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.

Hà 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. Hà and her family are forced to flee as Saigon falls, and they board a ship headed toward hope—toward America.

This moving story of one girl’s year of change, dreams, grief, and healing received four starred reviews, including one from Kirkus which proclaimed it “enlightening, poignant, and unexpectedly funny.”

An author’s note explains how and why Thanhha Lai translated her personal experiences into Hà’s story. This updated digital edition also includes an interview with the author, an activity you can do with your family, tips on writing poetry, and discussion questions.

How does a ten-year-old girl who has lost everything find her way back to herself in a world she doesn’t understand?

• A Refugee’s Journey: Follow ten-year-old Hà as she escapes the Fall of Saigon on a crowded ship, a vivid and poignant account of leaving the only home she’s ever known.
• Based on a True Story: Inspired by author Thanhha Lai’s own childhood, this novel offers an authentic, personal, and unforgettable perspective on the Vietnam War and its aftermath.
• Written in Lyrical Verse: Experience Hà’s story through spare, beautiful poems that capture the confusion, anger, and hope of a girl caught between two worlds as she learns to find her voice.
• Finding a Home in America: From the chaotic warmth of Saigon’s markets to the bewildering quiet of 1970s Alabama, Hà must navigate a new culture, face bullying, and find the meaning of home.