"When Clouds Touch Us is a gorgeous book about upheaval, the strength of family, and fiercely reaching for the future." — Rajani LaRocca, Newbery Honor-winning author of Red, White, and Whole
"Poignant yet sobering.... Hà’s loneliness, coupled with guilt over her mother’s juggling multiple jobs to save up for a house, powerfully illustrates the sometimes conflicting emotional burdens that immigrant children can face in trying to take on adult responsibilities. Through piercingly spare language that boasts expert rhythm, resonance, and cadence, Lai offers a story of hope and resourcefulness, and a sensitive portrayal of one 12-year-old’s life carefully observed." — Publishers Weekly (starred review)
"As Lại beautifully illustrates Hà's straddling of two cultures and her desire to fit in, she draws a portrait of a life in which Hà and her siblings contribute toward making a home of their own, both literally and metaphorically. Her portrayal of the universal need for family, friendship, and a sense of belonging will resonate." — Shelf Awareness (starred review)
"A frank and beautiful continuation of Hà’s story that is also accessible to readers meeting her for the first time and a strong depiction of both the struggles of refugees and the resilience and love one girl finds within herself." — Kirkus Reviews
"Lại captures Hà’s attempts at acclimation while still yearning for what has been lost. This memoiresque novel captures experiences that refugees in many times and places face: the sense of longing, the confusion, and the family dynamics that shift and change. Readers with older siblings, who support their family in little ways, and those who have struggled with being the “only one” in a classroom will slip easily into Lai’s world.... Ideal for fans of Linda Sue Park, Jasmine Warga, and Andrea Beatriz Arango." — Booklist
PRAISE FOR Inside Out and Back Again: “Open this book, read it slowly to savor the delicious language. This is a book that asks the reader to be careful, to pay attention, to sigh at the end.” — Kathi Appelt, bestselling author of Newbery Honor Book The Underneath
“In this poignant, funny, and unforgettable novel, Thanhha Lai shares in verse how her family escaped Vietnam before the fall of Saigon. American and Vietnamese characters alike leap to life through the voice and eyes of a ten–year–old girl—a protagonist so strong, loving, and vivid I longed to hand her a wedge of freshly cut papaya. This tenderly told tale transports readers to the time immediately after the Vietnam War and also opens hearts to newcomers displaced by war today.” — Mitali Perkins, author of Bamboo People
“Based in Lại’s personal experience, this first novel captures a child–refugee’s struggle with rare honesty. Written in accessible, short free–verse poems, Hà’s immediate narrative describes her mistakes—both humorous and heartbreaking; and readers will be moved by Hà’s sorrow as they recognize the anguish of being the outcast.” — Booklist (starred review)
“The taut portrayal of Hà’s emotional life is especially poignant as she cycles from feeling smart in Vietnam to struggling in the States, and finally regains academic and social confidence. An incisive portrait of human resilience.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“Ha’s voice is full of humor and hope.” — School Library Journal (starred review)
“An enlightening, poignant and unexpectedly funny novel in verse is rooted in the author’s childhood experiences. In her not–to–be–missed debut, Lại evokes a distinct time and place and presents a complex, realistic heroine whom readers will recognize, even if they haven’t found themselves in a strange new country.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
“Lại ’s spare language captures the sensory disorientation of changing cultures as well as a refugee’s complex emotions and kaleidoscopic loyalties.” — The Horn Book
“In this free-verse narrative, Lai is sparing in her details, painting big pictures with few words and evoking abundant visuals.” — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
“Told in compelling free verse.” — Brightly
★ 05/08/2023
In this sequel to the Newbery Honor book Inside Out and Back Again, Lai delivers a poignant yet sobering verse novel depicting 12-year-old Vietnamese refugee Hà’s struggles acclimating to life in the United States. Hà and her brothers have barely gotten used to living in Alabama when they learn they might be relocating to Texas so their mother can seek better work opportunities. Reluctant to leave her best friend Pam (“I scream to myself/ ‘Not fair’ ”), Hà searches for ways to stay in Alabama. She attempts to earn money for the family by growing lantanas and babysitting, but “visions of gliding though/ seventh grade halls/ blending among others” often leads to her using her hard-earned funds to buy herself clothes from Kmart. Hà’s loneliness, coupled with guilt over her mother’s juggling multiple jobs to save up for a house, powerfully illustrates the sometimes conflicting emotional burdens that immigrant children can face in trying to take on adult responsibilities. Through piercingly spare language that boasts expert rhythm, resonance, and cadence, Lai offers a story of hope and resourcefulness, and a sensitive portrayal of one 12-year-old’s life carefully observed. Supporting characters read as white. Ages 8–12. Agent: Rosemary Stimola, Stimola Literary. (May)
Brigid Mai Khanh Leahy narrates the sequel to the author's award-winning work, OUTSIDE AND BACK AGAIN. This story begins two years after Ha and her family's arrival in Alabama after fleeing the Vietnam War. Leahy accounts for the line breaks of this novel-in-verse, producing a lyrical narration. She also depicts Ha's poignant emotions, her youthful voice aiding listeners in entering the protagonist's perspective. Now that Ha is finally adjusting to her new home in the U.S. and is finding friendship, she is stunned by her mother's decision to move from Alabama to Texas. Leahy delivers additional surprises, such as the arrival of Ha's period and the news of the Mai Lai massacre. Throughout, Leahy shows the resilience and adaptability of Ha and her family as they search for a home. S.W. © AudioFile 2023, Portland, Maine
Brigid Mai Khanh Leahy narrates the sequel to the author's award-winning work, OUTSIDE AND BACK AGAIN. This story begins two years after Ha and her family's arrival in Alabama after fleeing the Vietnam War. Leahy accounts for the line breaks of this novel-in-verse, producing a lyrical narration. She also depicts Ha's poignant emotions, her youthful voice aiding listeners in entering the protagonist's perspective. Now that Ha is finally adjusting to her new home in the U.S. and is finding friendship, she is stunned by her mother's decision to move from Alabama to Texas. Leahy delivers additional surprises, such as the arrival of Ha's period and the news of the Mai Lai massacre. Throughout, Leahy shows the resilience and adaptability of Ha and her family as they search for a home. S.W. © AudioFile 2023, Portland, Maine
2023-02-08
In this long-awaited sequel to Inside Out & Back Again (2011), Hà’s story of adjusting to life outside of Vietnam continues.
Since coming to the United States from Vietnam as a refugee, she has changed and grown in her new country. After finally settling into school and making a friend, Hà is excited to experience an American birthday party. But then her mother announces her plans to move the family from Alabama to Texas in search of new opportunities. Twelve-year-old Hà dreads the thought of starting over once again, but she is eventually outvoted. In Texas, her mother and brother find jobs, and Hà, determined to help, has her own plans to grow and sell plants. At the same time, she navigates the trials of a new school, casual racism and prejudice, and puberty. Through its verse structure, the narration allows Hà’s humor and determination to shine through. As she continues to strive to be true to herself, she finds that this means walking an entirely new path, something different from what her mother imagined but also different from the paths of her classmates. Addressing the challenges of making a new life after trauma and war while also exploring the powerful bonds that shape a family, this is a frank and beautiful continuation of Hà’s story that is also accessible to readers meeting her for the first time.
A strong depiction of both the struggles of refugees and the resilience and love one girl finds within herself. (Verse fiction. 9-12)
