Synopses & Reviews
Thirteen-year-old 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 makes fun of her for being overweight, and Troy won't give her a second glance. Until their history teacher puts Laura front and center by announcing a field trip to the old 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 a shack; it's a monument to the strong women in their family—the Laura Line. Something to be proud of. But Laura knows better: if her classmates can't accept her now, they never will once they see the shack. So she comes up with the perfect plan to get the field 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?
From Crystal Allen comes this touching and funny story of one girl's path to figuring out where she came from, and the unlimited possibilities of who she can become.
Review
“Laura Dysons 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
Review
Praise for HOW LAMARS 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)
Review
“The protagonists 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, Allens novel is an engaging treatment of the oft-told tale of looking within for beauty and strength.” School Library Journal
Review
“This is a lively approach to an issue thats 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 & #8217;s Books
Review
“Crystal Allen shows us how our relatives, even the ones weve never met, sometimes have a way of gently weaving a path to exactly who were meant to be, our truest and best self.” Kathryn Fitzmaurice & #151;author of THE YEAR THE SWALLOWS CAME EARLY
Synopsis
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: Spirit Week Showdown.
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?
Synopsis
Tween readers who loved the warmth and humor Crystal Allen brought to How Lamar's Bad Prank Won a Bubba-Sized Trophy will find the same winning combination in her new middle-grade novel, The Laura Line.
Thirteen-year-old Laura Dyson wants two things in life: to be accepted by her classmates and to be noticed by ultra-cute baseball star Troy Bailey. But everyone at school makes fun of her for being overweight, and Troy wont give her a second glance.
But a school assignment changes that. Laura is forced to learn the history of the slave shack on her grandmothers property, and she discovers she comes from a line of strong African-American women. Through understanding her roots, Laura finds the self-esteem shes been missing.
About the Author
During her childhood, Crystal Allen's parents and older brother worked in bowling alleys, so lucky Crystal spent many hours on the lanes, bowling for free. When she was seven, she won her first trophy: a bowling-pin bank filled with pennies! Since then, she's joined several bowling leagues and loves to bowl with family and friends. Crystal lives in Sugar Land, Texas, with her husband, Reggie, and two sons, Phillip and Joshua.