Plot Summary

The House That Lou Built

Mae Respicio
Guide cover placeholder

The House That Lou Built

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2018

Book Brief

Mae Respicio

The House That Lou Built

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2018
Book Details
Pages

240

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

San Francisco, California • 2010s

Theme
Publication Year

2018

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

9-12 years

Roundup icon

Super Short Summary

In The House That Lou Built by Mae Respicio, twelve-year-old Lucinda "Lou" Bulosan-Nelson, a biracial Filipina-American girl, dreams of building a tiny house on the land her deceased father left her to alleviate her family's crowded living situation and preserve their sense of community.

Inspirational

Heartwarming

Hopeful

Melancholic

Reviews & Readership

4.2

1,066 ratings

74%

Loved it

21%

Mixed feelings

5%

Not a fan

Roundup icon

Review Roundup

The House That Lou Built by Mae Respicio receives praise for its heartwarming portrayal of family, cultural heritage, and a young girl’s determination to build her own tiny house. Critics appreciate its engaging narrative and relatable protagonist. Some feel the plot is predictable, but the overall positive message and engaging writing style shine through.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The House That Lou Built?

Readers who enjoy The House That Lou Built by Mae Respicio will likely appreciate stories featuring strong, young protagonists navigating cultural identity and personal growth. Similar to Front Desk by Kelly Yang and Wonder by R.J. Palacio, this book appeals to middle graders with a penchant for heartfelt, character-driven narratives.

4.2

1,066 ratings

74%

Loved it

21%

Mixed feelings

5%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

240

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

San Francisco, California • 2010s

Theme
Publication Year

2018

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

9-12 years

Buy This Book

We’re just getting started

Add this title to our list of requested Study Guides!