Inside Out and Back Again

Who is the narrator of your Inside Out and Back Again poems?

• Ha

• Thanna Lai

• a refugee

• Mrs. Peretzman

In the first line of the poem, Ha says, “Wishes I keep to myself.” What can you infer about Ha’s character based on this phrase?

• I infer that Ha likes to dream and wish for things that she is unable to have at this moment because her mother is very strict.

• I infer that Ha is very immature and does not have many friends.

• I infer that Ha likes to keep important thoughts and feelings to herself, and does not feel like she can share what is going on with her family.

• I infer that Ha wishes she was closer to her family and her mom was more understanding.

Who is Ha? Based on this poem, “Birthday Wishes,” and one other poem you have read so far in the novel, describe Ha as a character: her traits, values, or beliefs. Choose the best three responses.

• She wants to be loved by her family and for her dad to come home so they can be happy again.

• She has three older brothers, but does not really play with them or feel close to them.

• Ha is a 10-year-old girl who wants to feel close to her family but instead feels very alone.

• I think she wants to be close to her family but doesn’t know how.

Why does Ha state she keeps her "wishes "to myself"?

• She has very little friends so she keeps her thoughts inside.

• She probably feels like she can not talk to her brothers.

• Her mother is very strict and believes it is disrespectful for Ha to share her feelings.

• Her brothers do not listen when she shares.

What can we infer about Ha's characteristics in this stanza?

• She desires hair longer than what she has and lice is a major issue in Saigon

• She has a problem growing her hair long and it is hot in Saigon

• She loves her hair short and her mother does not allow her to go outside

• She wishes her hair was long, but her mother convinced her to keep it short due to the weather and the pest issues.

In the sixth stanza of the poem, Ha says,

“Wish Mother would stop

chiding me to stay calm,

which makes it worse.”

What do you think the word chiding means in this context?

What evidence in the text helped you figure this out?

• STAY CALM

• MOTHER WOULD STOP

• MAKES IT WORSE

• WISH MOTHER WOULD STOP

In stanza 8, Ha writes, “Wish Father would come home.” What two reasons does Ha give for this wish? Which two statement best supports the quote.

• She wants him to come home is so he can come to her class, and she can show him to her classmates.

• She wants to stop daydreaming about him and show her friends that he really exist. Because they make fun of her not having her father.

• She wants him to come home is so her mom will be happy and stop worrying.

• She wants him to come home so her mother would leave her alone and be nice.

What is the primary theme of 'Inside Out and Back Again'?

• A) War and its effects on families

• B) The importance of education

• C) Friendship and loyalty

• D) The power of technology

Which literary device is predominantly used in 'Inside Out and Back Again'?

• A) Metaphor

• B) Simile

• C) Personification

• D) Free verse poetry

In 'Inside Out and Back Again', what does Ha's papaya tree symbolize?

• A) Her childhood and innocence

• B) Her family's wealth

• C) Her love for nature

• D) Her desire to travel