Inside Out And Back Again

Part 1

Reading Check

1. New Year’s and birthdays (Part 1, February 11)

2. Papaya (Various poems in Part 1)

3. Three brothers (Various poems in Part 1)

4. A mouse-eaten doll (Part 1, April 27)

Short Answer

1. They know he was captured on a Navy mission, but they haven’t heard anything since. They aren’t sure if he’s still alive. (Part 1, March 10)

2. Most of her wishes revolve around family. She wants her father back and to be like her brothers. She also asks for stories about her mother’s childhood. (Part 1, April 10)

Part 2

Reading Check

1. Fish sauce (Part 2, July 1)

2. “Our cowboy” (Various poems)

3. Mechanic (Part 2, August 7)

Short Answer

1. After they are rescued by an American ship, they are less worried about going hungry. (Part 2, May 24)

2. They must be picked by an American family who will sponsor them. (Part 2, July to early August)

Part 3, “Late August”-“September”

Reading Check

1. The “s” sound (hiss) (Various poems)

2. Miss Washington (Part 3, September 14)

Short Answer

1. The cowboy is generous and kind to the family, while his wife is very rude and standoffish. (Part 3, August 15)

2. She calls him the white-haired pink boy, which means he is likely blonde and pale-skinned/Caucasian. It is likely she hasn’t seen a lot of people who look like him prior to coming to the United States because she doesn’t have the language to describe him. (Various poems)

3. He believes it will make their neighbors like and trust them more. (Part 3, September 21)

Part 3, “October”-“December”

Reading Check

1. Pancakes (Part 3, October 31)

2. Math, specifically multiplication (Part 3, October 20)

Short Answer

1. After Miss Washington hears about the bullying, Hà is allowed to stay in the classroom for lunch. Pam and Steven walk in and talk to her there. (Part 3, October 14)

2. He takes the whole family to school, and they meet with the principal, the bully, and the bully’s mother. The bully is forced to apologize, even though it is clear he doesn’t mean it. (Part 3, November 5)

3. She can make fun of him using language he doesn’t understand, just like he did to her. (Part 3, December 4)

Part 4

Reading Check

1. A new doll (Part 4, December 25)

2. Engineer (Part 4, January 29)

Short Answer

Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.

1. She loses the amethyst stone from the ring Father gave her. (Part 4, January 14)

2. It is actually a nightgown made of flannel instead of a dress. (Part 4, January 5)