Most Popular Books by Laura Freeman

Describes how babies look and act and how they change as they grow. Kids get a great introduction to human growth and development as they observe a baby's antics through the eyes of an older sister. Young readers discover that a newborn sees only in black and white and can taste sweet, bitter, and sour, but naturally prefers sweet. They see how a baby likes to imitate and can even learn from playing peek-a-boo. And readers also find out just when a baby will be ready to do other things. Descubre como bebés miran, actuan y como cambian al crecer.

Millions of children have put their hands together and recited the rhyme that begins “Pat-a-cake, pat-a-cake, baker's man.” But what if the baker's man were a bebopper? A celebration of music and movement, this story in verse is inspired by the riffs, rhythms, and freedom of jazz. Colorful illustrations show children playing drums, piano, horn, and bass as they swing, sway, and jitterbug to the music.

Richard can't wait to show off his skills at a friend's skateboard birthday party, but a note home from his teacher threatens to ruin his plans. Richard can't wait to show off his skills at a friend's skateboard birthday party, but a note home from his teacher threatens to ruin his plans. Book #2

The #1 New York Times bestseller The phenomenal true story of the black female mathematicians at NASA whose calculations helped fuel some of America’s greatest achievements in space. Soon to be a major motion picture starring Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, Janelle Monae, Kirsten Dunst, and Kevin Costner. Before John Glenn orbited the earth, or Neil Armstrong walked on the moon, a group of dedicated female mathematicians known as “human computers” used pencils, slide rules and adding machines to calculate the numbers that would launch rockets, and astronauts, into space. Among these problem-solvers were a group of exceptionally talented African American women, some of the brightest minds of their generation. Originally relegated to teaching math in the South’s segregated public schools, they were called into service during the labor shortages of World War II, when America’s aeronautics industry was in dire need of anyone who had the right stuff. Suddenly, these overlooked math whizzes had a shot at jobs worthy of their skills, and they answered Uncle Sam’s call, moving to Hampton, Virginia and the fascinating, high-energy world of the Langley Memorial Aeronautical Laboratory. Even as Virginia’s Jim Crow laws required them to be segregated from their white counterparts, the women of Langley’s all-black “West Computing” group helped America achieve one of the things it desired most: a decisive victory over the Soviet Union in the Cold War, and complete domination of the heavens. Starting in World War II and moving through to the Cold War, the Civil Rights Movement and the Space Race, Hidden Figures follows the interwoven accounts of Dorothy Vaughan, Mary Jackson, Katherine Johnson and Christine Darden, four African American women who participated in some of NASA’s greatest successes. It chronicles their careers over nearly three decades they faced challenges, forged alliances and used their intellect to change their own lives, and their country’s future.

The Civil War is over, but a chance encounter between Jules Beecher and a man from her past turns a simple trip to find her orphaned cousins into a dangerous journey. Determined to keep a promise to her father, she puts her life at risk but finds a reluctant hero in Dr. Roe Greystone. Can Jules heal the "broken doll" of the battlefield or will the past destroy any future? Roe abandoned the profession of medicine, exhausted from the suffering and butchering of the Civil War. Co-owner of a sternwheeler, Roe knew Jules was trouble the moment the kindhearted innocent boarded the Jenny Lee. He is determined to protect Jules from a madman, but will this Romeo risk all to rescue his Juliet?

In 1876 society frowned upon illicit affairs, illegitimate children, and murdered lovers, but Deidre Pierce didn’t choose her unfortunate heritage. When Nate Burroughs shares her personal information, she chooses him to accompany her to the eightieth birthday party of her grandfather. Nate owes her, and she has no plans to forgive him. She hopes to learn more about her family, but sinister accidents begin to happen. Nate has vowed to protect Deidre and redeem himself, but how much will he sacrifice to reveal the depth of his feelings and win her love?

On a hot August night in 1878, Tom Harrington is found dead beside his burning barn. Arson and murder has descended on this small Ohio town. Liny Bauer, a young midwife, helps the sheriff document evidence, but the victim had many enemies—who had plenty of reasons to kill him. Handsome Deputy Cal Murphy admires Liny’s knack for uncovering secrets but fears her stubbornness may put her in danger. Can they piece together the clues to find the truth before the killer escapes or strikes again?