Inside Out & Back Again Refugee

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Refugees are people just like us: grandparents, mothers, fathers, children, students, secretaries, store clerks, teachers, accountants, doctors,etc. Refugees are protected by international law and have special rights, such as the right to safe asylum after fleeing their home country because of war, violence, or prosecution. The main character of Thanhha Lai’s novel Inside Out & Back Again, Ha, is a refugee who is ten years old. When the raging Vietnam war comes to her hometown, Ha must flee with her family to America where they have to start a new life for themselves, away from what once was South Vietnam, their home. Before she was forced to flee, Ha was a carefree and peaceful child. Lives of refugees are turned inside out by the violence …show more content…

Refugees can find supporters to help them through the tough times. “Many of my teachers and classmates were supportive and offered to help me if anyone were to harass me. I feel safe in Nashville. And, mostly, I lead a normal life, like other teenagers. I go to school, hang out with my friends, and spend a lot of time with my family and work part-time” (Faiad; 2). Jihan is feeling more accepted and supported as she makes friends and settles into the new life as an American. Though nothing will go back to the way it was, that doesn't mean it will be bad either. “Not the same, but not bad at all” (Lai; 234). Ha is tasting her favorite food, papayas, for the first time since she left South Vietnam. The food reminds her of Vietnam and her old life, and how her. Friends will be found by the refugees and they can help make the ease into a new life more pleasant. “Pem comes over on gift-exchange day with a doll to replace the mouse-bitten one I told her about” (Lai; 239). Ha has found a caring friend, her first since leaving Saigon.The doll shows how Ha has been able to overcome the loss of her country and friend, Titi, and is able to make a new friend and settle into her new life. Lives can be changed and uprooted, but they can come back into focus and everything can be

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