Lucinda (Lou) Bulosan-Nelson is good with her hands. She loves her woodworking class at school, and she has a dream: to build her own tiny house on the plot of land left to her by her white father, who died before Lou was born. When Lou’s mom considers taking a nursing job in Washington State, Lou panics. She doesn’t want to leave San Francisco, her friends, or her extended family and Filipino community. And what about her tiny house? She’s been collecting materials. She has a blueprint. She knows that building this house will help her feel more connected to the father she never knew. Then, worse news arrives: Unless Lou’s mom resumes tax payments on Lou’s land, the county will auction it off. Lou decides to take matters into her own hands (literally) and get started on that tiny house. Lou is resourceful, highly creative, and determined to learn and to find solutions—and she’s also smart enough to know how to ask for help when a project becomes too difficult. STEM themes abound, but Lou’s story is built on a foundation of family, friends, and community support. (Ages 8–13)

"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

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

"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