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mzfatma's review against another edition
4.0
It was good to revisit the characters, especially Ha. There were definitely great moments of storytelling but I found the author notes at the end the most powerful- on how she came to writing a sequel 10 years after the first story came out and showing the progression of language and how the Vietnamese family finds their way in the United States. I did have to go back and reread parts of she text for full understanding- due ro language and following train of thought of Ha in the story.
juliegartung's review against another edition
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
janschneider's review against another edition
4.0
Middle grade novel written in verse - attended an author event for Thanhha Lai. She was very engaged and the kids loved her. The book was wonderful
profabrit's review against another edition
4.0
I have a hard time reading verse, but the general story was good.
keely_ochs's review against another edition
4.0
- A great sequel
- Good/moving follow-up to the story
- Love the authors note at the end
timothycapehart's review against another edition
3.0
I fought like h-e-double-toothpick for Inside Out and Back Again to win the Newbery (not an honor, the top award) and that means something coming from me because I was on that Newbery Committee. I loved Norvelt, but IOaBA was a thing of beauty. It made me laugh and cry and finally like novels in verse in a way I hadn't since Out of the Dust. It took me back to my childhood and let me see my elementary school friend Vinh Loi in a new way. I love ya Gantos Boy (you were my creative writing Prof), but I still feel Ha had it all over you that year. So I was overjoyed to get more of the story...but this didn't click for me in the same way. I like it and recommend it...but not up to the first volume.
kkaste's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
ltdubb's review against another edition
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
kendra's review against another edition
3.0
I did not know this was a sequel. Still had an idea of everything happening as it is designed to just dive in. The singing in vietnamese was so cool in the audiobook, definitely the highlight for me. But it just wasn't the book for me.
sarahd22081's review against another edition
4.0
It's impossible not to crave a sequel after reading Inside Out and Back Again. The continuing story of setbacks and successes demonstrates how life does not always move in a straight line. We get to see the older brothers move into adult lives of their own.
Navigating Texas suburbia has lower stakes than fleeing Saigon, so the narrative is not quite as gripping as its predecessor. You can feel the absence of the lush Vietnamese landscape descriptions.
Navigating Texas suburbia has lower stakes than fleeing Saigon, so the narrative is not quite as gripping as its predecessor. You can feel the absence of the lush Vietnamese landscape descriptions.