Reviews with content warning for Xenophobia - Inside Out & Back Again

I sat down and devoured this book start to finish. This is a story that all people should read. We watch as Hà goes through living in war and watching the life around her shift as she is forced to move out of Vietnam and end up in Alabama. She must leave her traditions and culture for a new, unfamiliar (and at times cruel) world. The reader is taken through the emotional journey of a child who is a refugee and is experiencing The US for the first time. I definitely recommend this book to anyone who needs a reminder to consider what we don’t know about those around us and to tell your story.

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ameliaflint's review against another edition

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dark emotional hopeful reflective fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

This is a beautiful story told by ten year old Há, a Vietnamese refugee. It details many horrors of the Vietnam war through the eyes of a child, and the readjusting of immigrants in a new country. It’s written in a unique line break format which adds to the ten-year-old perspective and the beautiful writing. I whipped through this in one day. The story is even more impactful as it’s based off true events in the author’s life. I just wish it had gone deeper into the complexities of the subject matter a little more, but I understand the surface level it kept as it is a middle grade book.

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keeganrb's review against another edition

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emotional fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.75

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kayladaila's review against another edition

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emotional sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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plantbasedbride's review against another edition

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challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

A poignant exploration of the refugee experience as told by a child, Inside Out & Back Again was as beautiful and hopeful as it was heartbreaking.

Ha is such a curious and independent child, with so much intelligence and emotional maturity. Her experiences as a refugee from Vietnam echo those of the author, Thanhha Lai, and paints a vivid picture of the experiences of those who escaped Vietnam across the sea.

Refugees are so often treated with disrespect and subject to racism and xenophobia. I believe this book, especially when read by the upcoming generation, could help to bridge the gap with understanding and compassion.

I will be recommending this book to all of my friends with children.

Content Warnings