If you enjoy reading books by Thanhhà Lai then you might also like the following authors:
Jacqueline Woodson writes beautiful, lyrical stories that focus on identity, race, and family relationships. Her characters are thoughtfully depicted, and she captures a child's experience with warmth and honesty.
If you loved Thanhhà Lai's writing style in Inside Out & Back Again, you'll enjoy Woodson's Brown Girl Dreaming, a poetic memoir that vividly portrays her childhood experiences and emotions.
Margarita Engle brings Cuban history and culture vividly to life through her poetic style and rich storytelling. She often explores themes of identity, displacement, and resilience. Much like Thanhhà Lai, Engle writes novels in verse that resonate deeply.
Try starting with The Surrender Tree, a poetic telling of Cuba’s fight for independence, told through multiple perspectives.
Jason Reynolds crafts captivating stories that connect emotionally with young readers, frequently touching on contemporary issues around race, family, and growing up in challenging environments.
His writing rings genuine and direct, making readers care deeply about his characters. If you appreciate how Thanhhà Lai addresses meaningful issues through personal stories, check out Reynolds' Long Way Down, a powerful novel written in verse.
Kwame Alexander writes engaging, rhythmic novels-in-verse that speak to readers looking for stories filled with energy and heart. He tackles friendship, family, sports, and growing up, making you root for his vividly realized characters.
Like Thanhhà Lai, Alexander explores profound themes in approachable, poetic narratives. Try reading The Crossover, a novel-in-verse about basketball, sibling rivalry, and family bonds.
Linda Sue Park creates accessible, heartfelt books that often center on cultural identity, family, and a sense of belonging. Her storytelling brings historical events and contemporary experiences vividly to life.
If you liked Thanhhà Lai’s focus on the immigrant experience and finding one's place in the world, give Park’s A Long Walk to Water a try. It's an inspiring story weaving two lives across time and place, capturing perseverance and courage beautifully.
Sharon M. Draper creates heartfelt stories focusing on young characters facing real challenges with strength and honesty. Her writing is direct and insightful, connecting easily with young readers.
In Out of My Mind, Draper tells the story of Melody, a girl with cerebral palsy who discovers her voice in powerful and unexpected ways.
Erin Entrada Kelly writes vivid, authentic stories capturing the inner worlds of young people. Her novels often explore themes of friendship, belonging, and identity through characters readers come to genuinely care about.
Hello, Universe is especially notable for its warm, interconnected storytelling about four kids whose paths unexpectedly cross, leading to friendship and understanding.
Nikki Grimes crafts thoughtful, poetry-rich narratives exploring themes of identity, family, and resilience. Her stories resonate emotionally, speaking openly to young readers about life's challenges and hopefulness.
Her novel-in-verse Garvey's Choice explores one boy's journey toward self-acceptance and finding his voice through poetry and music.
Elizabeth Acevedo writes powerful, poetic novels highlighting diverse experiences through strong, authentic voices. Her stories reflect cultural identity, family dynamics, and self-expression, deeply connecting with her readers' emotions.
Acevedo's acclaimed novel-in-verse, The Poet X, portrays Xiomara, a Harlem teenager discovering poetry as a way to express herself amid family pressures and expectations.
Hena Khan creates warm, uplifting stories that portray young Muslim characters balancing tradition, family, and finding their own identities. She writes clearly and compassionately, making her characters relatable and realistic.
In Amina's Voice, Khan sensitively explores themes of friendship, cultural identity, and community, offering readers a gentle yet engaging story of acceptance and personal growth.
Padma Venkatraman writes stories of characters who courageously face challenges while finding their place in the world. Her novels often feature heartfelt stories of resilience, identity, and belonging.
In her novel The Bridge Home, she introduces four kids struggling to survive on their own in the bustling streets of Chennai. Like Thanhhà Lai, Venkatraman captures readers with memorable characters and meaningful lessons about family, friendship, and hope.
Rajani LaRocca creates delightful stories blending heartfelt moments with cultural exploration. Her books often highlight issues of identity, friendship, and family ties through accessible, engaging narratives.
In Red, White, and Whole, readers meet a young girl growing up caught between two worlds—her traditional Indian family and American life. Fans of Thanhhà Lai's thoughtful writing on identity and belonging will relate easily to LaRocca's gentle and emotional storytelling.
Grace Lin invites readers into stories filled with exploration of family, identity, and Chinese culture. Her storytelling blends tales and traditions into narratives that feel warm and welcoming, often reflecting broader truths.
Where the Mountain Meets the Moon blends classic folklore with adventure as a young girl sets out on a courageous journey to bring fortune to her family. Grace Lin's engaging and thoughtful style will appeal to readers who appreciate Thanhhà Lai's reflective approach.
Kekla Magoon writes powerfully about social issues, history, and the search for identity. Her novels explore the voices of young people making difficult choices in challenging, changing worlds.
In The Rock and the River, she illuminates the struggles of a boy deciding between his father's peaceful approach to civil rights and his brother's involvement in activism. Like Thanhhà Lai, Magoon thoughtfully tackles complex issues with honesty and clarity.
Ruta Sepetys writes carefully researched historical fiction centered around overlooked stories and events. Her characters illuminate lesser-known moments in history and draw readers into deeply personal journeys.
In Between Shades of Gray, Sepetys explores the challenging experiences of a Lithuanian family forced into exile during World War II.
Readers who appreciate Thanhhà Lai's historical settings and emotional depth will find Sepetys also delivers captivating narratives built on compassion and resilience.