The Laura Line

A touching and funny story of one girl’s journey to discover where she came from and the unlimited possibilities of who she can become, from Crystal Allen, the acclaimed author of How Lamar’s Bad Prank Won a Bubba-Sized Trophy and The Magnificent Mya Tibbs.

Laura Dyson wants two things in life: to be accepted by her classmates and to be noticed by ultracute baseball star Troy Bailey. But everyone at school teases her for being overweight, and Troy won’t give her a second glance. Until one day, their history teacher announces a field trip to the run-down slave shack on her grandmother’s property. Heck to the power of no way!

Her grandmother insists that it’s more than just an old shack; it’s a monument to the strong women in their family—the Laura Line. But Laura knows better: her classmates will never accept her once they see the shack. So she comes up with the perfect plan to get the trip canceled . . . but when a careless mistake puts the shack—and the Laura Line—in jeopardy, Laura must decide what’s truly important to her.

Can Laura figure out how to get what she wants at school while also honoring her family’s past? 

• Overcoming Bullying: Laura is tired of being called "Fat Larda" at school and just wants to fit in. This story follows her journey to find her voice and stand up for herself.
• Black History for Kids: The old slave shack on her grandmother’s farm holds secrets to the "Laura Line," a powerful ancestry of strong women she never knew she was a part of.
• First Crush: All Laura wants is for the super-cute baseball star Troy Bailey to notice her, but her complicated feelings about her family’s past might get in the way.
• Friendship Struggles: When Laura’s best friend gets a chance to be popular, Laura has to decide between supporting her friend and standing up for what she believes in.
• Finding Your Voice: A heartwarming and funny realistic fiction novel about learning to be proud of where you come from and who you are.