Inside Out & Back Again: A Book Adventure/Book Club

Thanhha Lai shares how she escaped Vietnam and chronicles the journey with beautiful prose. In this class students will be engaged in deep discussion as we explore themes, writing styles, and literary devices.  Students will be required to read assigned sections outside of class time and homework will be assigned.  Students will learn how to detect "golden lines" and keep a running record of copy-work(of their choice )o share with the class. I provide a PDF version of the book upon enrollment, for each student to read. 

The book explores several themes, including:

War and displacement: The novel delves into the effects of war on individuals and families, particularly the forced displacement of refugees who are forced to flee their homes to escape the conflict.

Identity and belonging: As Ha adjusts to life in a new country, she must navigate the challenges of being a newcomer and confront the difficulties of forming new relationships and understanding a new culture.

Culture and tradition: Ha's experiences are heavily influenced by her Vietnamese heritage, and the book explores how cultural traditions shape her perceptions of the world around her.

Resilience and adaptation: The novel highlights Ha's ability to adapt to new situations and overcome adversity despite the challenges she faces as a refugee.

Overall, "Inside Out and Back Again" is a moving and powerful novel that offers a poignant exploration of the experiences of war, displacement, and identity through the eyes of a young protagonist.

Week 1: Introduction and Historical Context
Introduction to the novel and author Thanhha Lai
Historical background of the Vietnam War and its impact on Vietnamese people
Discussion of key themes, including war, displacement, identity, culture, and resilience

Week 2: Literary Elements and Devices
Exploration of the novel's verse format and poetic devices
Analysis of character development and plot structure
Focus on sensory imagery and how it enhances the reader's understanding of the story

Week 3: Character Analysis and Identity
Close examination of the protagonist, Ha, and her journey from Saigon to Alabama
Discussion of Ha's struggles with identity and belonging in a new culture
Exploration of how cultural traditions shape Ha's understanding of the world around her

Week 4: Social Justice and Empathy
Discussion of issues related to social justice, including refugees, immigration, and discrimination
Analysis of how the novel can promote empathy and understanding of the experiences of others
Exploration of how students can use their own experiences and identities to better understand the characters in the novel.

Assessment for this unit could include a final project that asks students to reflect on their own experiences of displacement, migration, or cultural identity, and how those experiences relate to the themes explored in the novel. This project could take the form of a creative writing piece, a personal essay, or a visual project such as a collage or video.


Homework will include...
Reading assigned pages
Keeping a journal with "golden lines"
Recording unfamiliar vocabulary words
Answering comprehension questions
A small amount of research