Congrats to THE HOUSE THAT LOU BUILT for receiving the APALA (Asian Pacific American Library Association) 2019 Honor Award in Children’s Literature!

PRAISE FOR THE HOUSE THAT LOU BUILT

“Gives voice to Filipino youth... this delightful debut welcomes readers in like a house filled with love.”
★ —Kirkus, starred review

“Cheerful and hope-filled.”
★ —School Library Journal, starred review

“Warm exploration of what home truly means.”
—Publisher's Weekly

“Feels like the start of a wonderful career for the talented Mae Respicio.” –Bookpage

 “A message of empowerment to young girls with grand goals.” –Shelf Awareness

“Filled with warmth, family, and friendship.”–Erin Entrada Kelly, Newbery Medalist of Hello, Universe

“Endearing to the end.” –Rita Williams-Garcia,
Newbery Honor & Coretta Scott King Award-winning author of the National Book Award Finalist Clayton Byrd Goes Underground 

“Enormous heart." –Kate Messner,
author of The Exact Location of Home

“Warm, funny and affirming.”
–Lisa Yee, author of the DC Super Hero Girls series

“Her big dream of a tiny house is irresistible.”
–Tricia Springstubb, author of Moonpenny Island

"Lolo, my grandfather, used to say, 'Thats how dreams work. You just have to do them.' "

Lou Bulosan-Nelson is going to build her dream. She shares a room with her mom in her grandmother's house in San Francisco, and longs for a place of her own where she can escape her lovable but large extended Filipino family. Lou has a talent for woodshop class and creating projects, and plans to build a tiny house, 100 square feet, all her own, on land that she inherited from her dad, who died before she was born. Then Lou discovers it's not so easy to build one, not when her beautiful land may not be hers for much longer and her mom may want to move out of state. But she won't give up on her dream, and her friends and family won’t either. This heartwarming coming-of-age story explores culture and family, forgiveness and friendship, and what makes a house a true home.