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.

Praise for HOW LAMAR’S BAD PRANK WON A BUBBA-SIZED TROPHY: “The powerful mix of sibling rivalry, revenge, and hard-won redemption strengthens the perennial appeal of the naïve-underdog-makes-good plot; readers will come for the laughs and stay for the laughs.” - Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

Praise for HOW LAMAR’S BAD PRANK WON A BUBBA-SIZED TROPHY: “The tween book world has a new hero—Lamar Washington—as well as a brilliant new author who’s bound to win a Bubba-sized trophy herself!” - Neal Shusterman, author of THE SCHWA WAS HERE and BRUISER

“Laura Dyson’s sweet, sassy voice draws you into this delightful story of self-discovery and acceptance, unwavering friendship and the deep roots of one amazing family.” - Donna Gephart, author of OLIVIA BEAN, TRIVIA QUEEN

“This is a lively approach to an issue that’s come up recently in the news...and the historical aspect could help readers consider their own family lore that may not have made its way into written accounts.” - Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

“Crystal Allen shows us how our relatives, even the ones we’ve never met, sometimes have a way of gently weaving a path to exactly who we’re meant to be, our truest and best self.” - Kathryn Fitzmaurice—author of THE YEAR THE SWALLOWS CAME EARLY

“The protagonist’s emotional transformation will resonate with readers. Generational bonds, notably the growth of the relationship between Laura and her grandmother, are beautifully depicted. With its humor and deep reverence for history, Allen’s novel is an engaging treatment of the oft-told tale of looking within for beauty and strength.” - School Library Journal

Praise for HOW LAMAR’S BAD PRANK WON A BUBBA-SIZED TROPHY: “Under all the braggadocio is a boy with a big heart, and from the first sentence Lamar will have readers hooked.” - Publishers Weekly (starred review)

Praise for HOW LAMAR’S BAD PRANK WON A BUBBA-SIZED TROPHY: “This stands out for its unusual setting and smooth integration of friendship and family concerns. ” - Kirkus Reviews