Reviews

When Clouds Touch Us by Thanhhà Lại, Thanhhà Lại

kristinakg's review

emotional hopeful medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

carey_78's review against another edition

hopeful inspiring reflective 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? Yes

5.0

thenextgenlib's review against another edition

3.0

The sequel to Inside Out and Back Again.
☁️
Ha is starting to get used to her life in Alabama when her mom announces the family will move to Texas for a new job. This means Ha has to start over again: new classmates, new town, new people, but what starts out as a fearful time ends up being a new opportunity to finds friends and a place to call home.
☁️
This MG follow up to one of the most popular titles and Newbery Honor book fell a little flat to me. I loved the #ownvoices aspect again and novel in verse is one of my favorites to read, but I didn’t feel like we learned anything especially new about Ha or that the sequel built on the first novel. This is still a great addition to any library or classroom and it releases May 9. Thank you @librofm for the ALC.

CW: bullying, racism

kater07's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful informative 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

3.75

katieproctorbooks's review against another edition

4.0

I really enjoyed this sequel. Not as much as the first book, but it’s still solid. I love Hà’s family SO much. The last few pages got me

katiya014's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective 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? It's complicated

3.25

lizzydennyreadsabook's review against another edition

4.0

Thanhhà Lai has brought another beautiful chapter to the story of Hà, as she and her family navigate building their second home in the United States after fleeing Vietnam. Lai describes the ways in which fitting in to a new country and new communities offers not only challenges, but ways to gain closeness to those you love. Hà is able to share one of her first years in the US through beautiful prose. Lai describes that she used prose to tell her story because Vietnamese, itself, is a very poetic language. I think it's so interesting to see the change and evolution of Hà's prose and speech as she learns more English. I would definitely recommend this book to students, but keep in mind that there are mentions of war and war crimes.

rongrong's review

challenging emotional funny hopeful fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

Audiobook.  Loved this, only wish I’d read it closer to the first.  Family, immigration, wanting, new friends, fitting in, cultural disconnects, judgement, racism, holidays and traditions, relationships changing.

hheartbooks's review against another edition

4.0

Though it's been over 6 years since I read "Inside Out and Back Again," this book drew me right back in to Ha's life. Though I have little in common with Ha, I love her story and find myself soaking in her culture, her relationships with her mother and brother, and the way she is constantly having to adapt. Moving story that gives students insight into another young one's life.

Note to parents/educators: one allusion to a menstrual cycle.

Thanks to netgalley for ARC.

amandalywarren's review against another edition

5.0

So touching. A perfect sequel to an already moving narrative. The thoughts and emotions that Hà expresses as she endures yet another move and the jarring discomfort of being labeled as different in middle school… My heart breaks and heals and breaks and heals. As our hearts so often did in those fragile middle school years.

The style in which Thannhà Lai framed this story (matching that of its predecessor) is so beautiful. The way the poetry resembles the musical nature of Vietnamese is stunning. And the way we watch as Hà begins to think in English is so enlightening.

This book is so thoughtful and fills me with so much compassion. I can’t wait for this book to get published so I can add it to my shelves. Thank you to the author, HarperCollins, and NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.