Inside Out & Back Again
by Thanhha Lai
Headline Story: Inside Out & Back Again
Life gets hard for Ha and her family; they don't have much money and as a family they decide to leave Vietnam. They board a boat along with lots of other people who are escaping the war in Vietnam. On board they are scared of what might happen if the Communists find that they have escaped. There is very little space and they have to stay together. The motor on the boat quits and the boat is floating in the water with no engine. An American ship shows up and tows the boat Ha and her family are on. The people on the American ship gave them more food and water. Then they arrive in Guam and live in a tent city. While living in tent city they had to learn English, they watched movies outdoors, and they went swimming. Her family almost chose Paris but instead they went to America. When they arrived in America they found themselves in another tent city in Florida. Before each family could leave tent city they had to have a sponsor. Ha's family found their sponsor, a Cowboy from Alabama.
In Alabama Ha's family has to learn a lot of new things. Such as, going to school, eating new food's, and making new friends. Life in Alabama settles down, Ha's mother gets a job in a factory, her brother gets a job repairing cars, and the rest of them go to school. Ha did not like school; the kids made fun of her. The pink boy plucked one of Ha's arm hairs off because she was different. Ha's mother wrote a letter to her father's family in Vietnam. When they get a letter back they realize that her father is not coming back. Later, the family begin to prepare for Tet. 1976 is the year of the Dragon and there is no fortune teller. Ha's mother predicts their year will twist old and new together so they will blend.
EDITORIal
by Gabrielle Royal
Who are the characters in this book?
Ha
Ha's Family
Cowboy
Classifieds
Missing Person
Wanted:
One Papaya Tree to provide juicy fruit for a needy family.
Please call I luv papaya or (458)872-7292.
One doll for a little girl who lost hers when traveling.
Please call Ha's new doll at (427)639-3655.
For Sale:
All sizes for boys and girls.
Contact Ha's mother at new clothes or (639)256-8437.