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“In this heartrending but hopeful story that celebrates family ties and the imagination, swooping, surreal floral details are set against lovely textured backgrounds, while tilted images and masses of swirls reflect Nou’s discombobulation. Still, her sweet spirit and wide dreams overcome all.”

—Foreword Reviews, Starred Review

“Visually expressing the story’s emotional shifts in digital, largely shadowless illustrations that mimic graphite, pastels, and watercolor, Kim renders tumult in dense scribbles that morph into sketchbook-like renderings as Nou builds a home, and returns to serenity, by drawing and writing.”

—Publishers Weekly

“Nou narrates the story, sensitively portraying the child’s experiences being treated as an “outsider.””

—Booklist

“A resonating, inspiring story that encourages creative resilience and strength.”

—Kirkus Reviews

A Home on the Page

Written by Kao Kalia Yang
Illustrated by Seo Kim
Published by Carolrhoda Books

Nou loves her family, and she likes the brown house where they live, surrounded by trees with sheltering branches. But the young Hmong American girl’s sense of safety and belonging is shattered after she wakes one day to find a hateful message spray—painted on the family’s mailbox: “Asians Go Home.” So Nou asks her parents if they can leave.

Nou’s question leads her on a journey to discover where each member of her family finds home. For her father, it is in his songs. For her mother, it is in the garden. In a world that doesn’t always welcome her, where can Nou find home?

This extraordinary story from author Kao Kalia Yang and illustrator Seo Kim tenderly explores how a young girl navigates racism and ultimately turns to writing, creating a home for herself on the page—and in the world.

Primary ISBN: 9798765619858
Publication Date: February 2026
Available As: Hardcover, eBook
Picture Book, Age 05 or older

Community Represented:

Themes: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Setting: United States

Character's Place in the Immigration Journey: 1st Generation, Refugee

Book Creator(s) Connection to the Community Represented: Own Voices/Lived Experience

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