Freedman/Johnson Reading Order
| Title | Published | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|
| Yellow Crocus | 2010 | Buy |
| Mustard Seed | 2017 | Buy |
| Golden Poppies | 2020 | Buy |
| Scarlet Carnation | 2022 | Buy |
| Falling Wisteria | 2024 | Buy |
Standalone Novels
| Title | Published | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|
| Living Right | 2016 | Buy |
| Paper Wife | 2018 | Buy |
| After the Rain | 2024 | Buy |
Laila Ibrahim is a bestselling American author whose fiction examines race, family, and identity across American history. Her most well-known work is the Freedman/Johnson series, which began with Yellow Crocus (2010) and has grown to five books. The series traces the intertwined lives of two families, one Black and one white, from the antebellum South through later generations as they navigate slavery, emancipation, and the long struggle for equality.
Ibrahim’s background in developmental psychology and her career working with young children inform her writing, particularly her focus on the bonds between caregivers and children. Outside the Freedman/Johnson series, she has written standalone novels including Paper Wife (2018) and After the Rain (2024). Her books have found large audiences among readers of historical fiction who appreciate stories centered on women’s experiences and family relationships.