INSIDE OUT & BACK AGAIN

In 1975, 10-year-old Hà escapes war-torn Vietnam with her mother and four older brothers. Narrator Doan Ly instantly captures the duality of language as we step out of Hà’s old life and into the foreign world of Alabama. Ly transitions deftly between Hà’s fluent thoughts, which are represented in English, and her stunted ability to communicate aloud in her new language. Both modes of communication are peppered with Vietnamese words whose beauty and fullness make the listener appreciate how “snakelike” English feels, and why Hà resents being forced to learn the sibilant language. Ly’s reading of this Newbery Honor book captures the heart of the novel and its free-verse poetry. A.M.P. © AudioFile 2012, Portland, Maine [Published: JULY 2012]