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Little Black Girl Lost #5

Little Black Girl Lost 5: The Diary of Josephine Baptiste: Lauren's Story

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In this fifth gripping installment of the series, the author shows fans what has made Johnnie Wise the person she is, and takes readers all the way back to her beginning: to the story of her grandmother, Josephine Baptiste, a 16-year-old Nigerian girl who is captured by Dutch traders and sold into slavery.

370 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2010

11 people are currently reading
888 people want to read

About the author

Keith Lee Johnson

65 books244 followers

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5 stars
330 (62%)
4 stars
121 (23%)
3 stars
55 (10%)
2 stars
12 (2%)
1 star
7 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
Profile Image for Yolanda.
6 reviews1 follower
December 17, 2012
I sincerely declare that this book can be a movie! I have been intrigued once again, by Mr Johnson's Little Black Girl Lost (LBGL) series. This is the first time I have ever reviewed/commented on a literary piece via internet. I rate the book with four stars versus five because I just did not get enough (no offense) but a compliment to Mr Johnson that he must continue the saga. I was nearly mad that the the book was over when I finished reading it. I was having the urge to start writing LBGL 6 the very minute I read the last page. I want to know more about Ibo's daughter's liaison with the . . . oh Mr. Keith I promise not to spill the news! I only found a few historical errors in the book one is in reference to Australia and the other referred to the rights that the free people of color had. But, I strongly do understand that the book was written more for entertainment versus a true biography. Overall, the book was exciting, a page turner, had me laughing, shocked and visualizing the scenes.
Profile Image for Terry.
147 reviews1 follower
April 19, 2015
I really struggled with finishing this particular book. I found it difficult that a 16 year old in slavery times has the ability to not only sass whites but to have them so enthralled with her beauty and eyes that she has them confessing to murder and all sorts of other things. Quite unrealistic in MY eyes. But it is fiction after all. However, I prefer the fiction I read be as "realistic" as possible if that makes sense.
I'm this far in and will read the next two installments in hopes that the "reality" will break through leaving me satisfied that my time was not wasted.
Profile Image for Becky.
91 reviews68 followers
June 15, 2011
The author has an interesting story to tell; unfortunately, he is telling instead of showing. Not a good writer, but I will keep reading for the story content. Update: Story content got gross and gratuitous. Not reading this writer again and taking a warning if I ever decide to write a book. Maybe I should get a copy and rewrite it as practice?
Profile Image for Dee Cherry.
2,945 reviews68 followers
December 31, 2016
Lauren witnessed plenty of deceit & treacherous actions during her 1st year in the US. It seems that Cadence had a lot in common with Johnnie Mae...I found it interesting to read of tactics used that were considered New Orleans traditions. Good story as I'm looking forward to reading more about Johnnie Mae's quests.
Profile Image for Jennifer Williams.
35 reviews2 followers
May 1, 2019
Make sure you read book 4 if you want to read this one. I will say that it seems possible to read 4 and 5 and then read books 1, 2 and 3 but in that order if you wish.

With that said, that book really tops it off and gives us a good view into how Johnnies family lineage started. If you did not read the first 3 books, not knowing who Johnnie is not a big deal. This book picks up from book 4 and gives us some clues as to what we already think. What I love about these books is that it gives us a little something to hold on to until the end which is where we get a huge burst of drama. I now have my co-worker reading this series because it is just that good.
Profile Image for Nicole.
153 reviews3 followers
October 26, 2017
Good Read!!
Lauren Renee Bouvier (Ibo Atikah Mustafa)
went though some things but she's a smart woman. The way she turned Guinevere and Beaumont against Cadence what she had done to Captain Rutger when she found out that he was the one that had prince Amir killed. But she did find love with (Rokk Baptiste) and had a daughter (Antoinette Jacqueline Gabrielle Baptiste) tragedy still followed Rokk was killed for sleeping with married women. End the Lauren was happy with her dress shop and her daughter.
Profile Image for Scented Pages.
228 reviews5 followers
Read
September 23, 2021
This book was good. It was juicey with lots of unexpected twists and turns. Certains things in it would turn me off momentarily while reading. I can't remember exactly what they were now however. Its a good book that kind of puts u n the mind of how Alex Avery wrote Roots about his family lineage. The big difference with this book and the series in general is the author did it solely from the perspective of the females in his family. Nice>
Profile Image for ToniReads_1.
589 reviews15 followers
May 29, 2021
Keith Lee Johnson continues to impress me with his writing skills. I love that this series takes you back to the origins of all of the who is who. I enjoyed Laurens story.
A few things I took away from this book is love will win in the end. A liar will always be a liar. Manipulation will get you only but so far and karma will hit you when you least expect it.
Profile Image for JoRolle  Nola.
178 reviews
August 19, 2020
I love me some Lauren Renee Bouvier! She is so smart and cunning. This whole series is in my top 5. 🙂
Profile Image for Bethany Loper.
128 reviews3 followers
May 19, 2024
Too much telling and not enough showing, but!! A really interesting story 👀
Profile Image for Nicole.
Author 5 books3 followers
May 15, 2012
My mother bought me this book when I was in the hospital last year. I didn't get a chance to read it until now, but I truly enjoyed. It wasn't the type of book I would normally be interested in since I normally stick to urban fiction and YA books but it really surprised me! The characters were brilliant. This was the first book of the series that I read so at times I was a little confused butthere were references in the book that made sure I had the ability to stay on track. Very insightful and definetly a Good Read!
Profile Image for Kiki Bolling.
25 reviews3 followers
October 22, 2012
>This book was good. It was juicy with lots of unexpected twists and turns. Certains things in it would turn me off momentarily while reading. I can't remember exactly what they were now however. Its a good book that kind of puts u n the mind of how Alex Avery wrote Roots about his family lineage. The big difference with this book and the series in general is the author did it solely from the perspective of the females in his family. Nice>
Profile Image for Alexis Young.
6 reviews
July 22, 2012
So far, so good. The old slavery times is what keeps me going. It is very interesting how people think, even back then. Even though the book is set in the 1800s and the main character is Josephine's ancestor. I'm still stuck in the series of Little Black Girl Lost 5, because in the end both main character were Little black girls lost.
Profile Image for Cherelle.
29 reviews
Read
October 26, 2013
This was actually the first book I read in the series and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I had been looking for a few historical fictions, I found 3 and started reading 2 at the same time. I enjoyed this one so much that I put the other one away and dove right into this book. It takes place in a new Orleans just before slavery ended. Such a good read.
Profile Image for Jewell.
198 reviews
June 20, 2015
Interesting story. Not very well written. Sometimes I need a quick read. The books in n this Series served that purpose. There were some historical terms that I was not familiar with and was glad to learn them.
Profile Image for Shelia.
42 reviews5 followers
June 3, 2010
I enjoyed this story and I hope that there will be a book 6 because I haven't gotten enough of the story of Johnnie Wise yet.
Profile Image for *Ahh' Zah W/  Daa Juicee !//*.
38 reviews9 followers
May 13, 2010
i likee dis because the authour showss who johnnie wise really is it's showss thee person she always was until her mama did wat shee didi tew her,.'!
11 reviews
July 10, 2010
I really enjoyed all five of these books. The writer knows just what it takes to keep you interested. I look forward to reading the next book about Johnnie and her family'
1 review
August 10, 2010
Mr. Johnson I hope you read this. I love your series. Of course I hope you're working on 6, 7, and so on. Please don't disappoint!
10 reviews3 followers
October 13, 2010
The Little Black Girl Lost series is great! I hope there is a continuation of the series.
Profile Image for Dyannah.
40 reviews
Read
November 9, 2010
Wonderful to give us all of this important background to the story.
Profile Image for Kay'sha.
9 reviews
November 12, 2012
This truly was one of my favorites in the Little Black Girl Lost Series. Lauren was truly a character of fascination. I'm looking forward to reading Keith Johnson's #6 :)
Profile Image for Jacqueline.
30 reviews2 followers
November 25, 2012


This was another excellent read by Keith Johnson. I look forward to reading more of his books.
Profile Image for Corinne.
38 reviews
March 14, 2014
It was not as good as the book before, but it still was good.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews

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