Inside Out & Back Again has given me the opportunity to experience a new literature style and learn about The Fall of Saigon from an untraditional perspective. It feels as though Tiannah Lai shares her story through glimpses in memory encompassing the physical events along with her inner thoughts, emotions and perceptions throughout. Through her own story, she is able to give the reader an understanding for her native culture. She speaks to the reality of conditions in Saigon, cultural foods, annual celebrations, her relationship with her mother and siblings, and the effects of the war on her life as a whole. Poems in this book implore the complex journey a foreign family must endure to feel safe in their home, and live equally, healthy, and successfully among their American born peers in an American society, so impeccably different from their own.

I enjoy the raw composition of this book. I had to adjust to the title on each page and the short lines, which did not take long. I felt as if poetry form in the text gave an accurate illustration of how one would truly remember an event in memory. Her short phrases engraved powerful messages during my reading…

“People living on

Others’ goodwill

Cannot afford

Political opinions” Pg. 125

—————————————————

“People share

when they know

they have escaped hunger.

Shouldn’t people share

Because there is hunger?” Pg. 93

———————————————————–

“Mostly

I wish

I were

still

smart”

Pg. 159

… to mention a few of the many I underlined and wrote down for myself. This book is a wonderful testament to the age-old saying, less is more.

I would employ this book in my classroom as a means to engage in a multicultural appreciation, history, and humanitarian knowledge. Intended for students of a more mature age group, possibly 8^th grade to different levels in High School; I personally found it to be a piece that would be useful even in college classrooms. The novel gives the reader the ability to step into the life of humans in a culture completely unlike their own. I can envision many activities in different subject areas being linked with this book. For example, I could ask students to first make a list, or consider what is valuable to them in their life. Then contrast by looking for what they believed Kim Há and her family viewed to be most valuable to them. This could lead to an enriching conversation of cultural diversity, appreciation of material assets and opportunity as American’s to utilize our right to equal opportunity.

 

 

Twisted Life

“Our lives will twist inside out”

“No one can

Splash water

For why splash away joy”

“it would be simpler if English

and life were logic”

“my brain was pop-pop-popping”

“why should an

ignorant grown up

imagine that she knows me”

“no one is

heartless enough

to say stop”

 

 

Excerpts from Inside Out & Back Again // Monster // Enchanted Air

I have enjoyed my series so far. Fairytales are my gig and I am always thrilled to see an author’s new vision for stories that are already so well known. The prolog is an enchanting and engaging introduction to the author’s use of fascinating language in a means to illustrate the intriguing twists of the tales to come. As the book progresses, there is little fantasy mentioned unless it is in the story-books presented in Alex & Conner’s (the main characters) classroom. I have to admit I was expecting to jump right into the ‘fairytale-esque’ sort of novel but the first few chapters spend time focusing on the development of characters. I enjoyed learning about the twin’s as individual and felt empathetic for their story, but also found humor and many relatable scenarios in their past and daily lives. I appreciate how the author paints a very realistic picture of the troubles that families deal with after the loss of a loved one, and significant part of the immediate family. Alex and Conner are distinct individuals and represent the kind yet overlooked braniac, in companion with the unexpectedly thoughtful troublemaker. The twins portray a complimenting, yin – yang relationship with the undeniable brother & sister spirit. Anyone who enjoys an innovative author, fairytales, and can relate to the family life, the twins classroom environment, or teacher, would enjoy this book. I would love to have all books included in the series in my classroom. I find it to be a perfect example of actually stepping into a whole new world filled with dark queens, frog men, one magical book, and so much more.

Students who feel that they have not been able to find the ‘right’ text may find enjoyment in indulging in a world completely unlike their own reality. When I am reading the book on my own time, outside, in the library, coffee shop, etc. there are slight murmurs in the background, but I am still fully content and am happily obtaining the depth of the story. I enjoyed the time to silently read in the classroom, however I find myself focusing on the smallest noises around me, and having serious wandering thoughts… from what I think was produced by the silence. I am still debating how I will go about silent reading in my classroom. I like the idea of creating a reading nook in compilation with the classroom library, or possibly taking a trip outside where the students can find their own comfortable spot to read. There is an undeniable importance in ensuring that our students are taking the time to read and reaping the benefits of their literate life. I feel that part of the “fear” of reading is the forced, or timed aspect; I don’t believe those are components in the process of enjoying a good book. This text would be very useful in an English language lesson for upper elementary to middle school students. It is a very good book for a book club, it could be used for story-telling writing examples, or you could even cut out sections of the book to have the students perform for the class. As Donalyn Miller refers to abandoning books in her second chapter of ‘Reading in the Wild’, it makes me wish someone had taken the time to curate through and show me good books I would love to read. If the Land of Stories, The Wishing Spell, was available when I was in primary school I feel I would have found a great joy in reading the novels.

The first and most pertinent take aware I have found with beginning this book would be that reading is beneficial in all aspects of life. Reading is a concept that has been convoluted in the education system by required readings, unrecognized fake readers, and lack of student choice in reading material. Miller presents strong arguments for reading in the introduction alone. Through different exemplary statements she mentions that readers are more likely to get into college, be more successful in the work force and that simply all others are benefitted when more people read. I found my high-school-self identifying with the fake reader in the first chapter which was challenging for me as someone who wishes to be a future educator and help my students stray from fake reading. I considered the fact that in order to teach one to read and be a ‘reader’ on must model those same reading habits. However, I sat back to reflect on how much reading knowledge has improved academic, professional and social experiences. This is something that came with higher-level education and may have taken me longer to realize. However, in concurrence with Miller’s argument, I believe it that we can instill these beneficial reading habits in our classrooms for students to take hold and further better their career.

I am excited to teach reading because I am excited to show children the vast amount of colorful worlds that they can enter, and learn from with a good book. When I was young, I had trouble finishing books and found myself easily distracted during silent readings. However, once I found a book with a story that worked with my imagination, I devoured them just to see what would happen. I appreciate Miller’s recount of different children along with their successes and hindering thoughts about reading. For example, the importance of seeing the student interest and analyzing a text even if it is writing fan-fiction as her daughter does. Or getting to the root of why a student is not reading at home, and making them feel comfortable with casually reading the material, not stressing through it. I am nervous for those fake-readers, those who refuse to believe that reading can be fun or see the benefits of being able to read, analyze and comprehend. However I think that with books such as ‘Reading in the Wild’ and many more valuable resources I will be able to reach those students and find something that works for them.