Inside Out and Back Again
I read 
Inside Out and Back Again by Thanhha Lai. I really enjoyed this book, once I started reading it I could hardly put it down. It was a moving story that showed the struggles of moving to a new country through the eyes of an intriguing young girl. I really enjoyed how the author used poetry to paint a vibrant picture of Ha’s year. The book was set up like a journal with each journal entry written in a poem format. Using only simple lines the author managed to create rich characters and objects deep with symbolism. Usually it takes me a long time to read and understand poems, but as I read this book I was so wrapped up in the story I forgot I was even reading poetry. I would love to share this book with a class. It shows the hardships that refugees faced through the eyes of a narrator that any child could find relatable. She also, for the most part, uses simple words that anyone can understand. It is not difficult to read but is still interesting and meaningful. I think this book could make almost anyone to enjoy reading poetry. I think a good activity for a class would be for students to write some journal entries of their own in poetry format.
Cento work:
Lines taken from Inside Out and Back Again, by Thanhha Lai
Right after midnight
Moonlight turns us silver
Like ghosts from our willow
I wake before dawn
Every part of the rainbow surrounds me
Smelling of meadows and tasting sweet
One Reply to “Inside Out and Back Again”
I would have never guessed your poem was pulled from different books, it flows together so well! I’m interested in the journal-style poetry you mentioned about this book, and it’s awesome that you got so into reading it, I was surprised by how much I enjoyed the poetry in my book as well. I’ll definitely check this book out in the future, thanks for sharing!