Inside Out and Back Again:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/0061962791/ref=nosim?tag=beyondwordsle-20

Inside Out and Back Again is a #1 New York Times bestseller, a Newberry 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.

For all the ten years of her life, Hà has only 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. In America, Hà discovers the foreign world of Alabama: the coldness of its strangers, the dullness of its food . . . and the strength of her very own family.

This moving story of one girl's year of change, dreams, grief, and healing received four starred reviews.

Age Level and Length: Reading Level and Interest Level grades 6-8. The book is 278 pages, but this is a bit deceiving because it is a novel-in-verse, and this means there are not as many words on each page. The average sixth grader should be able to read this in 2-3 hours.  The test takes about 20 minutes.

Maturity and Political Issues: Few or none.  The main character experiences fear and danger, both in Saigon and on the refugee boat.  However, there is no graphic description of violence, and there is no romance. When the character reaches America, there is one school bully who gives her unpleasantness, but in general, America is portrayed positively.  The story has a happy ending in America.

Additional Considerations:  The novel-in-verse form means that there is a poem on each page, written in the first person by the main character.  This is a good introduction to that genre, which is gaining in popularity.