The Year We Were Famous Hardcover – International Edition, April 4, 2011

The Year We Were Famous (by Carole Estby Dagg) is an amazing and heartfelt novel about a teenage girl's walk across the United States with her mother in the 1890s--all for the sake of a bet to win the $10,000 prize that can save their farm in eastern Washington state. The story is engaging on at least three levels. First (perhaps foremost), it is a story of adventure: the fears, hardships, and deprivations along the 6-month trek from Mica Creek, WA to New York City as told from the point of view of Clara Estby, the 17-year girl. Second, it is a story of relationships: the tensions teenage girls feel with their mothers, the secrets that are revealed along the way, the beginnings of a new love, and the ties to Clara's family and the man who has already asked for her hand in marriage back home. Last, this book is history, based on the real walk by the real Clara and Helga Estby more than one hundred years ago, who happen to be the Great Aunt and Great Grandmother of the author.Some readers may be familiar with the historical account of this trek (Bold Spirit, written by Linda Hunt), which is used in some college courses in Women's Studies departments across the US, but Dagg's novel engages the heart as a straight history cannot. Moreover, it speaks to young people of courage and hope, which is sorely needed today. My local librarian in Washington recommended it in a display of `Washington Heroes in History,' and I have since shared it with neighbors and friends, all who have thanked me (the teenage girls AND their parents--its audience is ageless). I hope very much there will be a next installment, or at least a new novel by this winner of the Sue Alexander Award for Most Promising Manuscript.

The Year We Were Famous was a joy to read. This is a wonderful adventure story of a real mother-daughter team, Helga and Clara, taking proactive action to save the family farm in the late 1800s. Carole Estby Dagg's telling of this true story is through the eyes of the teenage daughter Clara and uses well researched intelligent prose to fill unknown details. In a series of heartfelt, frightening and sometimes dangerous or frustrating adventures, the two women share an awesome 4000 mile walk across the USA with almost no resources in the quest to win a cash prize needed to save the farm but also to strengthen the suffragist movement. They experience the best in people and the worst. En route, Clara develops her innate strengths and problem solving skills, develops a better understanding of her mother, and learns that some boundaries can be moved.In my retirement years, I find myself enjoying books directed toward younger people. The Year We Were Famous is intelligent and not juvenile in content, but seems very appropriate for the 12 years and older that it is advertised for. I highly recommend this historical novel and am looking forward to the two "messy draft stage" books mentioned on the author's web page; maybe one is a sequel about the heroine Clara?!

What Helga and Clara did was an absolutely astonishing feat, perhaps especially for the time period in which they did it. It was probably fool-hardy to have made that walk as little prepared as they were, and with no positive proof of recompense at the conclusion. Nevertheless, they DID it--walked across the country, mile by mile, in spite of myriad obstacles, in an all-out effort to save their farm. Amazing!

I will try and be objective, the author is a former supervisor. We have often shared a similar interest in the books we enjoy. The locale is close to home so that alone gives the book an edge. The writing is sincere and the story moves along well. I hope all who choose to read this book will enjoy it as much as I do.

Wasn't sure if I'd like this since it is considered a "Young Adult" book but it had plenty of excitement and reminds the reader - the human condition really hasn't changed that much in the 100+ years since this story took place. Hard times, unforeseen circumstances, crazy family members, family skeletons in the closet ... all based on actual events, sure kept my interest.

At first this book reminded me of 'Wild', but it was not as authentic or well written I began to dislike the mother rather quickly for putting her daughter through such an arduous journey on a rather tenuous commitment. The after-story by the author was also a letdown because absolutely nothing came of the effort of this trip, which nearly killed both mother and daughter. I thought at least a writing career for the daughter or a loving marriage - but nothing. A very disappointing story.

I love the fact that Carole Estby Dagg used her own family members as inspiration for this novel. The story of Clara and Helga's walk across the country is exciting for readers of any age. I had to keep turning the pages to find out what would happen next. Beautifully written and a pleasure to read!

I am astonished that this seller would think sending this book is in any way appropriate with the blue sticker actually printed on the book “ ADVANCED READING COPY - NOT FOR SALE”. This is an UNCORRECTED GALLEY. Perhaps acceptable to some readers, but certainly should be identified in the listing.