Thanhhà Lại's Blog

"Hà and her family have worked hard to make a life for themselves in the US, but it hasn’t come easy. Hà has only just started to feel settled when Mother decides that the family will move to Texas for a new job.

Hà knows how hard starting over is and doesn’t want to have to do it again. But sometimes even an unwanted change can bring opportunity, new friends, and a place to call home."

My upcoming book, When Clouds Touch Us, comes out on May 9th! It picks up two years after the events of Inside Out & Back Again. At least for Hà. It took me twelve years of writing and handwringing to bring this book to life. I can't wait for you all to read it!!

You can learn more and pre-order by going here.

Thank you, and happy reading.

"I'm often labeled a children's writer, even a poet at times. I think of myself as a storyteller who writes about the ages when I have the most stories to tell. While these stories are set in trauma, I do emphasize humor, because in the midst of tumult there is joy. We lived through a war—my father missing in action, my mother gaunt with worry—but I still remember us laughing."

Finding words after wartime: Thanhhà Lại on discovering her voice via the Washington Post

I wrote the above piece for the Washington Post about discovering my voice several times over. As a young refugee in Alabama, it took months for me to learn enough English to yell back at bullies. When I set out to write my first book, it took me 15 years to find a voice for ten-year-old Hà.

Now, 12 years after publishing Inside Out & Back Again, I'm rediscovering Hà's voice in my new book, When Clouds Touch Us. This story picks up two years into the future when Hà is uprooted yet again. Her life and family are still chaotic but also full of love and humor. I can't wait for you all to be reintroduced.

When Clouds Touch Us comes out on May 9th. You can pre-order it from any major bookseller or, ideally, your favorite independent bookstore :)

May you also find joy in the midst of tumult 💛

Butterfly Yellow is being sent out to Australian reviewers in preparation for its MARCH 3rd Australian release.

Here's a look inside the lovely package that Australian reviewers will be getting. Included is a copy of "Butterfly Yellow" (of course) and a brilliant word tree courtesy of my Australian publisher, University of Queensland Press.









I'm incredibly excited for new readers to travel along with Hằng on her journey across the ocean and through the plains of Texas, as bumpy as it is.

As ever, the book's dedication holds true:
"In memory of
the unknowable number of refugees
at the bottom of the sea."


- Thanhhà

Butterfly Yellow has just won The Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction AND the Rip Van Winkle Award!



Scott O'Dell was the author of historical fiction novel, Island of the Blue Dolphins, a classic in the genre and a great inspiration for many writers of my generation. Thank you so so much. I’m beyond delighted to join a glorious cast of recipients going back 40 years. I love this award. Historical fiction always!!!!



The Rip Van Winkle Award is presented by the School Library Media Specialists of Southeastern New York. SLMSSENY will present the award on June 6th, and further details about the event are forthcoming.

Thank you to both of these organizations for recognizing "Butterfly Yellow". It is truly an honor, and I look forward to celebrating with you all!


- Thanhhà

Some of the accolades that Butterfly Yellow has received.

Welcome to a new year! I'm so grateful for the support that readers have shown for my latest novel. I'm also thankful to the writers and critics who have named "Butterfly Yellow" on their best-of lists for 2019. It's truly been an honor.

Now, I'd like to share some news about my upcoming appearances.

The first will take place on February 18th at the Schaumburg Township District Library in Schaumburg Illinois. You can find more details on their website and in the events section of my Goodreads page.

The second event will be from March 14th to 15th at the Tucson Festival of Books in Tucson, Arizona. Once again, details can be found on the festival's website and my Goodreads page.

You can always visit my official website for future news and updates.



Last but definitely not least, I'm delighted to share that by debut novel, Inside Out & Back Again, was named one of School Library Journal's best YA books of the decade by writers Elizabeth Acevedo and Ellen Hagan. It has been nearly a decade since "Inside Out..." was published, so the fact that it continues to receive such support is incredibly humbling.

Thank you for reading. May 2020 bring you joy.


- Thanhhà