The House That Lou Built

by Mae Respicio

A coming-of-age story that explores culture and family, forgiveness and friendship, and what makes a true home. Perfect for fans of Wendy Mass and Joan Bauer.

Lou Bulosan-Nelson has the ultimate summer DIY project. She's going to build her own "tiny house," 100 square feet all her own. She shares a room with her mom in her grandmother's house, and longs for a place where she can escape her crazy but lovable extended Filipino family. Lou enjoys her woodshop class and creating projects, and she plans to build the house on land she inherited from her dad, who died before she was born. But then she finds out that the land may not be hers for much longer.

Lou discovers it's not easy to save her land, or to build a house. But she won't give up; with the help of friends and relatives, her dream begins to take shape, and she learns the deeper meaning of home and family.

AN NPR BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR
A KIRKUS REVIEWS BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR

"If this book were a house, the rooms would be filled with warmth, family, and friendship." --Erin Entrada Kelly, author of the Newbery Medal winner Hello, Universe; The Land of Forgotten Girls; and Blackbird Fly

"Equal parts girl-heart, muscle and know-how for today's reader. Endearing to the end." --Rita Williams-Garcia, Newbery-Honor-and-Coretta-Scott King -Award-winning author of the National Book Award Finalist Clayton Byrd Goes Underground

"Warm, funny and affirming. As we get to know Lou, her extended Filipino family, and friends, the door opens into her life and, ultimately, her home." --Lisa Yee, author of the Millicent Min trilogy, The Kidney Hypothetical, the DC Super Hero Girls series, and other books

"There couldn't be a hero more determined, resourceful or lovable than Lucinda Bulosan-Nelson. Her big dream of a tiny house is irresistible." --Tricia Springstubb, author of Every Single Second, What Happened on Fox Street, Moonpenny Island, and the Cody series

"I fell in love with Lou and her wonderful extended family. This story may be about a tiny house, but it has an enormous heart." --Kate Messner, author of The Exact Location of Home

Genres: Middle Grade, Realistic Fiction, Fiction, Contemporary, Family, Cultural, Childrens

231 pages, Hardcover

First published June 12, 2018

About the author

Mae Respicio writes heart-filled middle grade novels including The House That Lou Built, which won an Asian Pacific American Libraries Association Honor Award in Children's Literature, was an NPR Best Book, and was named to many "best of" and state reading lists, Any Day With You (out now), and How to Win A Slime War (out fall 2021). Find her at www.maerespicio.com.

Reviews

[Manybooks · Rating 2 out of 5]

While the general themes and subject matter of Mae Respicio's The House That Lou Built are or at least should be of much personal interest to and for me (and this even though I am not all that invested in reading about the specifics of home construction), I do have to sadly but strongly admit that Mae Respicio's writing style, that her methods of literary expression are truly and entirely not at all to my personal reading tastes. For even though The House that Lou Built reads generally easily and flowingly enough for a Middle Grade novel, in my opinion, the author's writing and penmanship are actually and indeed not only simple in style but actually majorly and frustratingly simplistic and as such much too one-sidedly on the surface, much too unnuanced and flat. And no indeed, I also do not really enjoy young main protagonist Lou's voice, with her first person narration to and for my eyes and ears not sounding all that much like how a true thirteen year old young teenager would tend to sound, and also with in particular Lou and her girlfriends far too often appearing like proverbial know-it-alls giving me lectures, giving potential readers lessons on feminism and that girls obviously can do anything (all very important and essential messages of course, but I really do not want to be preached at and be quasi hit over the head with this while I am reading a novel, a fictional story).

And considering how many books are on my to-read list and that I only decided to read The House That Lou Built in the first place because of a group reading project in the Children's Literature Group, I have decided to quit reading at page 90. For yes indeed, Mae Respicio's writing style just does not at all work for me and I am not enjoying The House That Lou Built enough for me to consider continuing with it (and yes, since I did hold out until page 90, I do think that I have given The House That Lou Built plenty enough of a chance and that I have also perused enough of Mae Respicio's printed words to know that The House That Lou Built has definitely not been for me, that the author's writing style is certainly not my proverbial cup of tea, and that I am actually only still considering two stars because the family scenarios depicted do appeal to me).

[Josiah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Perhaps inspired by Erin Entrada Kelly, Mae Respicio drew on her Filipino heritage for The House That Lou Built, and the story's originality is notable. Lucinda (Lou) Bulosan-Nelson, soon to be thirteen, loves her family. Her Filipino mother's relatives are ever-present: hosting parties, cooking good food, always ready to lend a hand. Lou never met her own father, a white man with a passion for building with his hands, but she inherited his knack for construction. After he died in a car accident, Lou's mother persevered; she went through nursing school and is now applying for jobs all over California and beyond in hopes of creating a better life for her and Lou. Why she would consider moving away from their extended family is a mystery to Lou, but it isn't a major worry...until it is.

When Lou's mom is offered employment in the state of Washington, the possibility of leaving San Francisco takes on substance. Lou and her mother depend on close connections with their cousins, aunts, and grandmothers; how could they start over in another part of the country and be happy? Lou's thoughts drift to a small tract of land her father bequeathed her, on which he intended to build a house for his wife and daughter. Might Lou fulfill that dream now? She hasn't the materials, knowhow, or manpower to erect a regular house, but could she build a "tiny" house, a recent fad on television? Tiny houses have minimal environmental impact and are simpler and less expensive to construct. As Lou's mother leans toward accepting the job in Washington, Lou wonders if she'd change her mind if Lou were to sneak out to her father's land and begin building a tiny house. Would she reward her daughter's initiative by reconsidering the move? Lou fears her mother will nix the plan if she finds out before Lou gets started, so she enlists the help of several cousins, Mr. Keller—her shop teacher—and Jack Allen, a boy from school interested in filmmaking. Lou isn't ready to pack her bags for Washington just yet.

Lou's hunch is right: when her mother gets wind of the project, she forbids her from building on her father's land. Her mother believes the benefits of accepting the high-paying job in Washington outweigh the negatives. Lou continues sneaking out to lay the foundation for her tiny house, but keeping her cousins focused is a chore. Making a house from scratch, even a miniature one, requires countless hours of labor. The shed on her father's land contains most of the raw materials, but many skilled hands are needed to do the work. The devastating blow to Lou's plan comes in a government letter announcing that her land will be publicly auctioned off if a large amount of money in back taxes isn't paid. Leaving California, forfeiting the land her father entrusted to her, saying goodbye to her extended family...will the losses never cease for Lou? But maybe there's hope. The government won't repossess the land for a few weeks, and if Lou raises the money before then, her dream won't die. There's a lot of resiliency in her Filipino-American family, and Lou's friends are just as determined not to lose her. Jack, a popular guy at school whom Lou hardly knew before he agreed to help with her tiny house, might even turn into more than a friend. Can Lou complete her father's mission to put a roof over his family's heads on this very parcel of land...or is his wish for them to find a true home already satisfied?

The House That Lou Built is a celebration of relationships, buoyed by Lou's oft-misunderstood desire to actualize her father's legacy. Lou and her mother miss him, but it's a subtle element of the story, usually in the background. This is a solid junior novel that resists well-worn tropes and instills a feeling of optimism, and most books can't do both. Mae Respicio's debut isn't as good as the best of Erin Entrada Kelly, but it shows potential for that level of literary value, and I wouldn't bet against The House That Lou Built positively influencing young readers. I think it's worth your time.

[Erin Entrada Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Lou! You will, too.

[Afoma (Reading Middle Grade) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to the publisher for a free review copy of this book!

Lou is a middle grader with a knack for building. She excels at her woodwork classes and has dreams of building her own tiny house. Especially because she currently lives with her mother in her grandmother’s house and barely has any privacy. She becomes even more desperate to build when her mother decides to move Lou away from her friends and large Filipino family for a new job offer.

I enjoyed reading LOU and definitely thought her to be one unique little girl. She is so determined and such a little leader. Lou also has great friends and family who work hard to support her dreams. Especially by the end of the story, she learns what a home really means and the value of good friends.

Overall, an enjoyable read that highlights the importance of family, not giving up and belief in oneself. I loved all the references to Filipino culture and food and even though I have no clue about building and woodwork, I found this to be an enjoyable read.

[Marie Cruz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the arc and absolutely loved it. It’s a book every Filipino American kid can relate to and a story every American will enjoy. :)

[Sai theengineerisreading]

✔️Written by Filipina Diaspora author Mae Respicio
✔️Middle grade contemporary
✔️Light, quick read (227 pages, 5 hrs in audio)

Things I enjoyed

*Filipino representatation.
Everything about this book screams Filipino pride. From the things that the Bulosan do (Barrio Fiesta, beliefs, and of course, food,) the experience is accurately based from our culture and heritage.

*Young minds can.
The main premise focuses on Lucinda Bulosan-Nelson, a middle grade Filipino American who is into woodworking and building things. The book successfully delivered the goods with reminding the readers that young minds can do great things, too.

*Easy and heartwarming.
This book can be read in one sitting. I guarantee that! Though I started this one on a Sunday night and finished at Tuesday lunch, the only reason why it lasted three days outside of my shelf is because work keeps on hindering me to flip a page. Anyway, prepare for an ending that will surely tug your heartstrings.

RATING: Recommended!

[Katie Fitzgerald]

Though I was interested in the subject matter of this book, the writing style fell flat for me almost immediately. The text is easy to read, but it's almost too straightforward, without the warmth and humor that work best for middle grade protagonists. I stuck with it for about 25 pages, but when the main character and her best friend started lecturing the boys in their class about women who have made a difference in history they stopped sounding like believable kids and began to sound like talking heads for a very special feminist lesson. I didn't like the book enough by that point to push past that and see if that was the direction the whole story was taking, so I just decided to move on.

[Melissa Sarno · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Lou and her tiny house dreams. The friends and family in her life made me so happy. What a lovely, heartwarming book.

[Emmzxiee]

Arrrghhh This MG Book is so Splendid!

The Author itself introduces a much Filipino Centered Culture throughout the book.

For the main character, I find ger brave to fight for something that she dreamed about. Somehow if you are aiming for those things the universe will listen to you.

I love the idea of highlighting Barangay Fiesta, Bayanihan, Balikbayan Box, Filipino food, and Cuisine in this novel. It feels like home. A book that a Filipino reader can relate to.

Also, it is amazing how the author introduces our culture to others through the form of writing a story. I am so very proud of her.Kudos to Mae Respicio

[Michele Knott · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved meeting Lou and learning about her passion of building a very unique home.

[Dee Dee G · Rating 3 out of 5]

My takeaway from this book was never giving up and if plan A fails, try plan B,C,D etc.

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a sweet story! I'm not the biggest fan of little houses or building stuff, so my mind wandered a bit, and I got a bit bored. Still, Lou's experience as an Asian with non-Asian friends hit close to home. For a young Asian reader, this would be an interesting pick. The family dynamic was a plus and felt very homey. I've noticed a trend in some middle grade books—strong family values paired with themes of financial struggle or loss.
The only thing I’d change is having Lou's mom let her know she's important when things get tough and possibly have them brainstorm ways Lou could be of help. Communication is key, and shutting her out could lead to unnecessary acting out in negative, scary, and even dangerous ways.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is wonderful to find middle grade novels in which female protagonists aren't boy crazy or preoccupied with their appearance. While a case could be made that these concerns are part of coming of age and being in the middle grades, a steady diet of books that tackle those issues can get old after awhile. Thus, it is refreshing to meet Lou Bulosan-Nelson, a 12-year-old who is determined to build her own tiny house on property she inherited from her father. Lou is more interested in learning how to handle various building tools and materials than worrying about her hair style and fashion choices. Although some of her classmates consider her to be a bit odd, she has support from other friends and her shop teacher, Mr. Keller. Because he died before Lou was born, Lou cherishes anything associated with him. She and her mother are barely making ends meet while living with her maternal grandmother, and she is surrounded by a loving extended Filipino family. But even while Lou tries to build her house, her mother is considering leaving San Francisco for a job in Washington State where the cost of living is lower. Lou feels that she must finish the house in order to persuade her mother to stay in San Francisco. There are additional threats to Lou's plans of having a place of her very own, and her singlemindedness causes her to hurt the very persons who are trying so hard to help her. Although there is a sweet love interest budding on the horizon and the ending might be a tad too unrealistic, middle graders will enjoy meeting Lou and root for everything to turn out just fine for her. She makes plenty of mistakes and isn't always forthcoming with her mother, often enlisting her friends and family to help her bend the rules, all of which make her that much more relatable to readers. Although Lou's cultural identity is an important part of her, readers are introduced gently to various terms, practices, and foods so that they feel a part of her world. (As an aside, I have to say that her mother's considering a move to Seattle from San Francisco might not be the smartest decision since the price of houses and apartments there have skyrocketed)

[LauraW · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought I reviewed this already, but I don't see my review. I don't actually remember that much about the book, except for the feeling that it didn't seem very compelling. That's it.

[Laurie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interest Level: 3-6
​
@kidlitexchange #partner Thanks to the @kidlitexchange network for the review copy of this book - all opinions are my own.


What would you do if you found out your mother wanted to move you away from your family and friends? What would you do if you found out that the land your dad gave you is about to be taken away because your mom can't afford the taxes on it? Would you think to build a tiny house on it? I wouldn't, but Lou was determined to do just that. Lou is the top of her woodworking class and is great at making projects. When Lou's mom decides that they need to move so that she can get a better job, Lou is devastated because she does not want to move away from her large Filipino family and her best friends. Lou and her friends devise a plan to sneak out to the property that her dad left her before he died and build a tiny house. She thought that maybe if her and her mom had a place to call their own, then she wouldn't want to move. She also thought that if someone lived on the land then the government wouldn't be able to take it away. Lou is so adamant about getting this tiny house built that she breaks rules and possibly breaks friendships. Read this amazing book to find out if Lou gets to stay with her family and friends or if she has to move away. Read this amazing book to find out if she gets to keep her father's property or if she loses it to the state. Also read this amazing book to find out if maybe she might even make a new friend in the process of all of this and if she ever gets her tiny house built.

This is such a heartwarming story of family and friendship. This is such a feel-good story about a girl who is full of determination and won't let anything get in her way. This is a must read story for anyone, kids and adults!

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm...conflicted, about this book.

On the one hand, I absolutely loved its central message of family, helping each other out, coming together in times of crisis. This book really did have the concept of bayanihan at its very heart, and that's something that's sorely needed in this day and age. It also had one of the strongest, most complex female characters in an MG book that I've read about and I think Lou would be a great role model for preteen girls to look up to.

I also really and truly appreciated how unapologetically Filipino this book was. It was full of references to Filipino food, languages, spiritual practices, and societal norms. And best of all, it posits collectivism as something to be desired, rather than really pushing the usual Western individualist narrative.

On the other, there were so many mistakes about Filipino culture that were small but nevertheless kept pulling me out of the story. A kid calling their siblings as "sis" instead of "ate", referring to the different Filipino languages as "dialects", pluralizing Tagalog words like anak by adding an -s to the end (this mistake particularly irked me because the speaker was someone who had grown up in the Philippines and migrated to California, rather than someone who isn't a native speaker - which I'd have been more forgiving of). It might be nitpicky of me, but it really honestly took a lot away from my enjoyment of this reading experience.

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[Sara D · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a wonderful story about persistence and family. Lou is a Filipino/American girl within a tight family unit facing the possibility of a move that would create geographical distance from her family. She struggles with not only the separation of family and friends, but from the land that her father left to her. Books portraying cultures are becoming more and more popular in youth fiction. I loved that this one shows the Filipino culture. My sister-in-law if Filipino and in sharing with her the elements of the book, she let me know that they were very accurately portrayed. I will definitely be purchasing this for my classroom, as well as gifting it so several young ones who are Filipino American. Definitely recommend this book to appropriate age readers.

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House for the ARC.

[Stefanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely story about following your dreams, no matter what challenges come your way! Lou lives with her mother and grandmother. She is incredibly tight with her Filipino family and they do everything together. Lou makes a plan to create a tiny house on the plot of land that her dad left to her. Through building this house, she connects with her father, whom she never got the chance to meet because of his death just months before she was born. When Lou’s mother brings up the idea to move to another state, she’s afraid her house will never get finished. Lou’s determination and creativity to get this house off the ground is so inspiring! This story is sure to warm your heart.

[Ari (Books. Libraries. Also, cats.) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actual rating: 4.5 stars.

My first book of 2019 was such a joy to read. Lou is a biracial 12 year-old girl living with Filipino family in San Francisco. She loves to create things and she dreams of building her own tiny house on a spot of land that her late father left her. But when Lou's mom begins considering a job in a different state, Lou kicks her plan into high gear in order to finish building the house in time to convince her mom not to make her move away from her friends and family.

This heart-warming middle grade novel was so precious, for so many reasons. I loved the #OwnVoices Filipino rep, and I was honestly grinning and laughing throughout the whole book because of how much Lou's family reminded me of my own Filipino family. Lou being biracial wasn't the focus of the story, but nonetheless, Mae Respicio did a superb job of touching on the displacement and outsider-feelings that biracial kids often experience; Lou's thoughts of not being as brown as her family, people mistaking her mother for her nanny, and reconciling being half-white while she really just felt Filipino all ringed so true for me as a biracial Filipino reader. I would love to see Mae continue to write more books with Filipino families at the center, because the Bulosan family truly stole my heart.

This book is very much about community, and that element is explored in a layered approach: the Filipino community in SF, Lou's community with her friends, her extended family, and the adults in her life. Her woodshop teacher, Mr. Keller, and Annie, who runs the salvage shop, were enjoyable characters who represented the value of pre-teens & teens seeking mentorship. It was quite perfect that throughout the novel, Lou and her family are helping to prepare for the Filipino community festival, of which the theme is "bayanihan," which means community coming together. This word truly embodied the heart of the story (and was my Lola's favorite word, which she always said was the word she would pick to describe her life).

"The House That Lou Built" touched on much more: grief, first crushes, growing up, and exploring your passion. While there were some minor parts that weren't 100% believable, I'm certainly willing to look beyond those parts for such a charming, sweet coming of age story. A must for fans of Erin Entrada Kelly and, of course, the tiny-house obsessed.

[Ashley Goyco]

Alternative Assessment:
The alternative assessment I chose to do is number two, "Choose a character you'd like to have as a friend. Tell why." I chose to pick a character to be friends with because it is a creative way for students to think about character development. Donalyn Miller argues that giving students freedom within the structure of reading requirements is a productive way to assess students' reading engagement (Miller, 2018). Miller says, "Students are accomplished readers when they are able to express their feelings about the books they have read" (Miller, 2018). Students discussing which character they would or would not be friends with invites them to connect with the characters and the story they read.

Character Response:
If I could be friends with someone from The House That Lou Built, I would be friends with Lou Bulosan-Nelson. I think Lou and I would have a lot in common. She comes from a very big family, as do I. We could complain, very lovingly, about how annoying our family members are. Lou and I could bond over how different and dissonant we feel from our families. Throughout the story, Lou struggles with not fitting in with her family because she inherited her late father's "not-so-Filipino" genes (Respicio, 2018). While I look Puerto Rican, I don't see my family often, so I feel out of touch with my family whenever I am around them. The final reason I would be friends with Lou is because she is an inspiration. At the age of 12 years old, she comes up with a master plan to build her own tiny home (Respicio, 2018). Lou's tiny house is not finished by the end of the story, but she persevered and stayed resilient enough that she was able to save her father's land. As a 12-year-old, Lou dreamt big and made the impossible happen. I think Lou and I could be great friends because I need someone as inspiring as her in my life to motivate me to be better.


Miller, D. (2009). The Book Whisperer. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.

Respicio, M. (2018). The House That Lou Built. New York, NY: Wendy Lamb Books.

[Brianne]

"The House That Lou Built" by Mae Respicio (2018-2019 Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature Winner)

I am Me
A young girl, innovative, driven, aspiring to make her dreams a reality.
Surrounded by loved ones, close bonds between family and friends never fading.
The sight of smiling images adorning the walls, the smell of crispy lumpia rolls, and the sound of laughter and dance filling the air.
Her mind filled with thoughts of honoring her father, using her own hands to create a tiny house, a home, on his land.
I am me, I am Lucinda Bulosan-Nelson.

I have admired the ability of poets to, so eloquently, evoke emotions and precious memories within readers. Throughout my schooling, when presented the option, I strived to construct poems that would do the same. I view the act of creating a poem about a character as a highly beneficial alternative assessment opposed to a book report. In order to construct a poem about a character, one needs to carefully analyze the text, and consider the following possible questions: What were some of the positive and negative experiences the character took part in? What does the character fear? Does the character have a personal goal or a life aspiration they wish to accomplish? What did you learn about the character through their interactions with family and peers? What sets the character apart from the others within the material? The students will have the freedom to “emotionally and intellectually connect with the book,” and present “authentic words and work” to become true independent readers and writers (Miller, 2009, p.12, 16). Again, by supplying students with alternative assessments, educators are motivating children to pursue their own interests and reading beliefs, and ensures a more open, safe, and engaging learning environment.

References:

Miller, D. (2009). The book whisperer: Awakening the inner reader in every child. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass A Wiley Imprint.

Respicio, M. (2018). The house that Lou built. New York, NY: Wendy Lamb Books.

[Shaye Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was thrilled to get my hands on this darling book the day it was released. Lou is a 7th grader who is half-Filipino and half-Caucasian. She lost her father when she was just a baby, but she has an extremely supportive family living in close proximity. Because her mother is struggling financially, she is considering accepting a job in Washington state that would pay for Lou’s future college costs. However, this would take them far from their family and friends. So Lou concocts a plan to keep her mom from taking the offer. Her plan involves confronting the local tax office and building a “tiny house” on the property her dad left behind for her. This is an addictive and exciting story right up until the sweet ending!

For more kidlit, MGlit, and YAlit book reviews, please visit my book review blog: The Miller Memo.

[Cat · Rating 4 out of 5]

The excerpt I read sounds intriguing. Then I read some reviews of the book on various sites. Still sounds like a good read. I would think 5th to 8th grader might enjoy this story. Some may well be puzzled as so many schools have discontinued shop classes. Liability must be pretty high and do they really have a use anyway. Much like home ec. At least skills in home ec are useful. Not sure about shop classes.... They seem to have been more useful back in the 60s and 70s. By the 80's and 90s not much was being done in them. Now most are gone. Anyway, trip down memory lane. The middle schoolers, particularly girls, may be interested in a girl setting out to build her own tiny home.
I received a Kindle ARC in exchange fro a fair review from Netgalley.

[Jordan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alternative Assessment: Book Commercial

Rationale: I would choose a book commercial as an alternative assessment because, it would not only show student understanding of the book, but it would also spark interest and encourage other students to read the same book. Donalyn Miller states, "In order to inspire students to read when school requirements to do so a lifted, we must provide them with authentic opportunities to share with other readers what they love about the books they read." A book commercial is a great way to assess student comprehension because, according to Miller, you “do not need to question the comprehension of students who give recommendations because their enthusiasm and strongly held opinions show me that they have read the book and responded to it authentically.”

Book Commercial for The House That Lou Built:
If you love books featuring strong female characters and are curious about the tiny house movement, The House That Lou Built needs to be your next read! The main character, Lou (short for Lucinda), is a strong-willed, independent middle schooler with a large and immensely supportive Filipino-American family. Lou’s passion is building things and she loves learning about all different types of houses, tiny houses in particular. Lou’s father died before she was born, but he and his family left Lou a piece of land outside of San Francisco. When Lou’s hard-working mother finishes nursing school and contemplates moving out of state for a new job, Lou cooks up a plan that she is sure will convince her mom to stay. Why not build her very own tiny house on her land, just like her father planned to do for them before he died? Lou enlists the help of her friends and family, but nothing ever goes quite according to plan in life, does it? When Lou can’t finish her project on her own, who will she turn to? Will it be enough to convince her mom to stay close to their friends and family? Find the answers to these questions and more by reading The House That Lou Built. Join Lou on her adventure of friendship, family, and first crushes, but most of all, her quest to never give up hope.

Miller, D. (2009). The Book Whisperer. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.
Respicio, M. (2018). The House That Lou Built. New York, NY: Wendy Lamb Books.

[Kelly Hager]

This is an incredibly sweet middlegrade. I loved every character in it (especially Lou) and I was rooting for Lou and her mom to be able to stay in San Francisco. I was also hoping that Lou would be able to build her house even though, realistically, it's such a huge undertaking and Lou was basically like, "Well, of course I can do this because I'm great in shop class."

(I realize that sounds really dismissive of me, but Lou is actually really skilled at building and probably could build an entire house, given enough time and access to materials.)

WARNING: You will want food after reading this; you should probably just prepare for that now. The book isn't composed entirely of cooking/eating scenes, but they're in there and the descriptions are excellent and mouth-watering.

Recommended.

[Cheryl]

This is probably worthy in many respects... but it's boring. We're told about these people, and about their heritage, and we're told how to feel about the different things going on. We're not involved. I read about 40 pp or so in the beginning, and about 20 in the end (because I just had to know if mom was really going to take them away from their family, given how important family is to their culture and to mom & Lou personally). And that was plenty. I wanted to get to know everyone on my own, through the course of the story. Oh, and a little humor would have been nice, too.

[Gabriela · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story was so cute! I loved that Lou was mixed daughter (white dad) and (filipina mom). This book talk a lot about going for your dreams no matter how impossible others may think they are. It also talks a lot about family togetherness. And it talks about how it is okay to ask for help, people are always willing to lend a hand or two! Haha I also enjoyed Lou's determination (although it got her into trouble at times). And lastly learning about her family's past and filipino dishes and traditions was amazing!

[Everett · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read for upper elementary and middle schoolers. About a tween who wants to make their own tiny house, but encounters several obstacles along the way. She finds support from family and friends. A heartwarming tale that is simple and well thought out.

[laura (bbliophile) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book earlier this year but I apparently didn't mark it as read on here so I'm doing that now! This book was absolutely adorable and I loved it a lot

[Abby Johnson]

This is a story with a lot of heart set in a strong, caring Filipino-American community in San Francisco.