Bound To Stay Bound

School Library Journal - 04/01/2018 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 - Copyright 2018 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

Booklist - 04/15/2018 Lou and her mother share a room in her grandmother’s house in San Francisco. She is surrounded by a loving, extended Filipino family, whom she loves, but she also craves a space of her own. She wants, in fact, to build a tiny house on the land her late father left her, and she plans to spend the summer on her project. Then her mother is offered an out-of-state job, and Lou is frantic at the prospect of leaving not only her friends but also her precious project behind. To make matters worse, she learns she might lose the property altogether. Lou navigates her way through the crisis with humor and courage, buoyed by her family and friends both old and new. Lou is a feisty and determined character who isn’t afraid to fight for whom and what she loves. She can be stubborn, even bossy, but she can also acknowledge her mistakes and make amends. Readers will enjoy rooting for her as she finds out exactly what makes a house into a home. - Copyright 2018 Booklist.