The House That Lou Built

Gr 4-6--Lou Bulosan-Nelson's dream is to build a tiny house--a structure of only 100 square feet--on a plot of land that she inherited from her deceased father, who passed away before she was born. Living in San Francisco with her vibrant, extended Filipino family, Lou intends for her house to be a space of her own that is environmentally sound and honors her dad's memory. If only her mother wasn't considering uprooting them both to Washington state. Lou hopes that if she finishes her house in time, her mom won't make them move. When Lou discovers her land is on the auction block, she ramps up her building schedule, but not without ample help from friends, cousins, and her attentive crush. A celebration of Filipino culture, this big-hearted debut novel examines the definition of "home." Readers will be buoyed by the warmth and candor of Lou's close-knit, intergenerational support system and will enjoy meeting Lou, a resourceful protagonist who knows who she is and is comfortable in her own skin. A sweet touch of romance will appeal to many tweens, without overshadowing the messages of environmental awareness, honesty, and the value of being oneself. VERDICT Cheerful and hope-filled, with an idiosyncratic female protagonist, this is a worthy choice for any middle grade collection.--Melissa Williams, Berwick Academy, ME

Lou, almost 13, lives with her mother and grandmother in San Francisco near their close-knit clan of Filipino relatives, who are always in and out of the house. Lou's father, who was white, died before Lou was born, and Lou has inherited the patch of land just outside of the city that her father's family owned. Lou loves building things and longs for a space that is purely hers, and she has big plans for the land: to build a tiny house on it. When Lou's mother receives a job offer in Washington State, Lou hopes to persuade her to stay by building the house quickly. She rallies her friends and shop teacher to help, but when back taxes threaten to take the land away, the pressure mounts. In her debut novel, Respicio organically weaves details of Filipino culture into the narrative. Lou, with her devotion to her dream for more independence, is a sympathetic character, and her relationship with her family is the heart of this warm exploration of what home truly means. Ages 8-12. Agent: Sarah Davies, Greenhouse Literary. (June)