Reviews

“Modern day Jenna and her ancestor Becky tell parallel stories while traveling the Oregon Trail. Jenna travels in comfort, Becky travels in hardship. As their stories converge and overlap, the reader will be dazzled by Linsely's vision and skill. A winner!” Lynda Durrant has published six historic fiction novels with Clarion Books with a seventh scheduled for release later this year. Her books have received starred reviews, four American Library Association's Best Books of the Year in the Field of Society Studies, an Amelia Bloomer award, two Parent's Choice awards, and three New York City Library's Best 100 Books for Reading and Sharing.

“Linsley’s depiction of real life on the Oregon Trail makes this first novel both a page-turner and a historical treasure. No reader, young or old, male or female, will come away unmoved by the hardships nor unchanged by how the world has evolved. Teachers will be grateful for this book, and kids will not be able to stop talking about all the ways they connect to its characters.” Marni Gillard, 35-year educator, professional storyteller, and author of "Storyteller, Storyteacher: Discovering the Power of Storytelling for Teaching and Living", published by Stenhouse. Visit her website at www.marnigillard.com.

“Linsley created an eclectic group of characters that take you on majestic journey through history. Dreams on the Oregon Trail is a cornucopia of experiences along the historical Oregon Trail. This is a must read for all school children and adults of all academic backgrounds.” Josh Higby, Seventh grade history teacher.

This heartwarming and heartfelt historical tale of travel along the Oregon Trail depicts the hardships encountered by pioneers traveling in the 1800’s, intertwined with the lives of their future generations.  The author has bridged the generations by allowing the reader to be totally immersed in the struggles of each generation, while at the same time gaining accurate knowledge about pioneer travel along the historic Oregon Trail.   

Aileen Livingston, Author, Voluntown, CT 

Barbara Linsley’s unique writing style will grab you from the first page.  You’ll be transported back to the late 1840’s.  Told in parallel, “Dreams on the Oregon Trail” will fascinate American history buffs and those drawn by the lure of the Old West as well.  You will be in awe of our forebears who, in many cases sacrificed all to settle our great country, movin’ West.

Laine Raia, author, editor and proprietor of The Ponderaia.  North Reading, MA