Inside Out and Back Again

by Thanhha Lai

260 pages

Inside Out and Back Again by Thanhha Lai is about a little girl named Ha. Ha has not seen her father for a very long time. She lives in Vietnam and the war is getting closer to her house, to escape, Ha's family gets on a boat that will take them to America. The trip is horrible, there is very little food, there is no room, and all the people get treated like animals. When Ha's family arrives in Florida, they must find a sponsor that will take Ha's family to their own house. Ha's family moves to different sponsers, so they must get used to different enviroments. One day, Ha's mother decides that Ha should go to school. Ha is teased at school for what she looks like and where she's from. Soon Ha makes friends and starts to get along with other children.  In the end, Ha makes friends and gets to celebrate Christmas! Although her father has now been confirmed dead, she looks at the bright side of things and doesn't give up.

The Boy in Striped Pajamas

by John Boyne

216 pages

    

     The Boy in Striped Pajamas by John Boyne is about a boy named Bruno, who's family has moved from Berlin to Out-With. At first, Bruno hates Out-With and wants to go back home to his friends and family. Then one day, as Bruno is "exploring" he meets a boy named Shmuel who is on the other side of the fence, where everyone is wearing striped pajamas. Bruno and the boy become friends, they talk about their old lives and where they used to live. Soon, Bruno found out that he will have to move back home with his sister and mother! Bruno and Shmuel decide to have one final adventure together and Bruno sneaks to the other side of the fence. Sadly, Bruno and Shmuel were never heard of again.