Meet the Family
Papaya Problems
School Days
Lost in Translation
Words & Pictures
Life Lesson & Compromise
100

This brother makes Hà jump by screaming "Hà Ya!" while practicing Bruce Lee moves.

Who is Brother Vũ?

100

This fruit tree in Hà’s yard represents her home, peace, and comfort.


What is the papaya tree?

100

Hà feels this type of insect "zipping through her gut" on the first day of school.

What are dragonflies?

100

The English teacher repeats her name three times, getting louder and spraying this each time.

What is spit?

100

The morning air glides cool against Hà’s face like a constant one of these.


What is a washcloth?

100

 Mother tells Hà that her brothers tease her for this sweet reason.


What is because they adore her?

200

This is the nickname Brother Quang gave Hà because she was red and fat as a baby.


What is Hà Mã (River Horse)?

200

Brother Vũ chops down the papaya tree to prevent this group from taking the fruit.


Who are the Communists?

200

This is the name of Hà’s new teacher who has tight brown curls like a beehive.


Who is Miss Scott?

200

 When repeating her teacher's name, Hà is very careful to hiss every instance of this letter.


What is the letter S?

200

The spilled papaya seeds are described using imagery comparing them to clusters of these, "wet and crying."

What are eyes?

200

When Hà asks if she can hit the kids who bully her, Mother tells her to fight, but preferably not with these.


What are her fists?

300

Brother Khôi calls Hà "Mother’s Tail" for this reason.


What is always staying three steps behind Mother?

300

Mother says yellow papaya tastes extra delicious when dipped in this topping.


What is chili salt?

300

The teacher misinterprets Hà's name as this sound.

What is laughter (funny ha-ha-ha)?

300

Hà's teacher responds to Hà saying her own name by making this kind of laugh.


What is a fake (or sadder) laugh?

300

 Incense swirls hover around Hà like this cozy item, tugging her in.


What is a blanket?

300

Mother slaps Hà’s hand and teaches her this important life skill when dealing with hard changes.


What is learning to compromise?

400

Hà gets back at her brothers for teasing her by doing this secretly.


What is hiding their sandals?

400

Hà gets so mad at the chewy, waxy dried papaya pouches that she does this with them.


What is throwing them in the trash?

400

Hà wishes she could speak enough English to explain these special marks in her name that direct the tone downward.


 What are diacritical marks?

400

The name Hà means this in Vietnamese when combined with "Kim".


What is Golden River?

400

The soothing sound of this object rings out in Hà's home. 


Answer: What is a gong?

400

 Bullies at school yell this offensive nickname at Hà based on her religion.


What is "Boo-Da"?

500

Hà’s full name, Kim Hà, was chosen because her parents strolled by this location.


What is the Golden River?

500

 Mother fixes the dried papaya so it tastes good by soaking it in this.


What is hot water?

500

Hà arrives at school at this time relative to her classmates on her first day.


What is first (she is the first student in class)?

500

 Hà struggles at school mainly because she lacks enough of this to explain herself.


What is English vocabulary?

500

The dry season ground is described as doing this to feet because of the heat and dirt.


What is stinging?

500

After trying the soaked papaya, Hà changes her mind and decides the new version is "not the same, but..." this.


What is "not bad at all"?