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Thanhha Lai
48quotes
Thanhha Lai
Full Name and Common Aliases
Thanhha Lai is a Vietnamese-American author known professionally as Thanhha Lai.
Birth and Death Dates
Born on May 22, 1962, in Saigon, South Vietnam. Currently active in writing and literary endeavors.
Nationality and Profession(s)
Vietnamese-American author, writer of children's literature and young adult fiction.
Early Life and Background
Thanhha Lai grew up in a family that moved frequently due to her father's work as a journalist. She spent time in both Vietnam and the United States, eventually settling in Alabama after fleeing war-torn Saigon. This experience would later influence her writing about cultural identity and resilience.
Major Accomplishments
Thanhha Lai is best known for her novel Inside Out & Back Again, which won the 2011 Newbery Medal for its portrayal of a young Vietnamese girl's experiences during the Vietnam War and subsequent relocation to America. This award marked a significant achievement in recognition of Asian-American literature.
Notable Works or Actions
In addition to Inside Out & Back Again, Lai has written several other novels, including From the Notebooks of Number One Son and The Green Bishop Butterfly. Her work often explores themes of identity, belonging, and the immigrant experience.
Impact and Legacy
Thanhha Lai's writing has had a lasting impact on young adult literature, offering readers perspectives on cultural diversity and the experiences of refugees and immigrants. By sharing her own story through fiction, she provides an authentic voice for those who have faced similar challenges.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Thanhha Lai is widely quoted and remembered due to her contributions as a writer of culturally diverse literature. Her work has not only earned critical acclaim but also provided readers with relatable stories about identity, culture, and belonging in a multicultural society.
Quotes by Thanhha Lai
Thanhha Lai's insights on:

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Should ‘sleep’ be plural? No, sleep is an idea, like love, no s. So many decisions in a single simple sentence. Exhausting, this elaborate dance of words.

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Why does one human being have too much and another human being cling to life in desperation?

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I tell you of loss, my child, so you will listen, slowly, and know that in life every emotion is fated to rear itself within your being. Don’t judge it proper or ugly. It’s simply there and yours.

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When you should happen to cry, then cry, knowing that just as easily you will laugh again and cry again. Your feelings will enter the currents of your core and there they shall remain.” I.

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I tell you of loss, my child, so you will listen, slowly, and know that in life every emotion is fated to rear itself within your being. Don’t judge it proper or ugly. It’s simply there and yours. When you should happen to cry, then cry, knowing that just as easily you will laugh again and cry again. Your feelings will enter the currents of your core and there they shall remain.
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