Claim to Fame [Hardcover]

Margaret Peterson Haddix (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 10, 2009

I have to tell you my secret. I can't go on...without revealing it. I had a pretty good run, hiding from everyone for five years. For five years I was safe. But now...

It was a talent that came out of nowhere. One day Lindsay Scott was on the top of the world, the star of a hit TV show. The next day her fame had turned into torture. Every time anyone said anything about her, she heard it. And everyone was talking about Lindsay: fans, friends, enemies, enemies who pretended to be friends....

Lindsay had what looked like a nervous breakdown and vanished from the public eye. But now she's sixteen and back in the news: A tabloid newspaper claims that Lindsay is being held hostage by her father.

The truth? Lindsay has been hiding out in a small Illinois town, living in a house that somehow provides relief from the stream of voices in her head. But when two local teenagers try to "rescue" Lindsay by kidnapping her, Lindsay is forced to confront everything she's hiding from. And that's when she discovers there may be others who share her strange power. Lindsay is desperate to learn more, but what is she willing to risk to find the truth?

Acclaimed author Margaret Peterson Haddix crafts a remarkable novel that will give readers a lot to talk about.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 7–9—Lindsay Scott, 16, lives a completely secluded life after spending her early years in the spotlight as a child star. Her fame, coupled with an ability to hear all that is said about her by everyone throughout the world, take its toll, and, at age 11, she suffered a nervous breakdown. Her distant father moved her to a new home in Illinois, which they shared until his untimely death. Now, she is alone in the house, but she is not alone. Despite her best efforts to keep herself and her ability secret, people enter her world. Lindsay views them as threats, but as the story progresses she finds them to be friends, a relationship new to her as she is used to people taking advantage of her. Lindsay can no longer escape from people, any more than she can escape from the voices she hears. She starts to absorb the situations people are facing when she hears them, changing the context and the power their voices have over her. Lindsay's transformation, especially her tranquil, strong, take-on-the-world-on-her-own-terms state at the end, is a bit far-fetched and too quickly realized. However, teens will like the brush with fame and her unique gift and will relate to her feelings of isolation and the need for others' help to spur on the maturation necessary to realize that one isn't always the center of the world; that others need our care.—Tracy Weiskind, Chicago Public Library
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Review

"Haddix...creates a thought-provoking story laced with themes of transcendentalism, self-centeredness, and the importance of human connectivity."--Publishers Weekly

"The prolific Haddix gives young teens another suspensful tale...Themes of friendship, self-centeredness, and the ties that bond are common issues for young adults as they struggle to find themselves and thier place in the world....Haddix addresses these themes without preaching."--VOYA

"Haddix's characters are, as usual, superbly drawn, and Lindsay's struggle to shape her identity independent of what others think of her will surely resonate with many young readers."--The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

"An intriguing and often exciting diversion."--Kirkus Reviews

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 272 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers (November 10, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1416939172
• ISBN-13: 978-1416939177
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.8 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (34 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #893,544 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I grew up on a farm outside Washington Court House, Ohio. As a kid, I liked to read a lot, and was also involved in 4-H, various bands and choirs (I played flute and piano), church youth group, the school newspaper, and a quiz-bowl type team. I was pretty disastrous as an athlete, although I did run track one year in high school. After graduating from Miami University (of Ohio), I worked as a newspaper copy editor in Fort Wayne, Indiana; a newspaper reporter in Indianapolis; and a part-time community college instructor and freelance writer in Danville, Illinois, before my first book was published. I've moved around a lot as an adult, having also lived in Luxembourg (during a college semester abroad) and in Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania. Several years ago, I moved back to Ohio with my husband and kids; we now live in Columbus, Ohio. My husband trains investigative journalists, and my kids are in high school, so there's always a lot going on around our house.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Ordinary Extraordinary, November 17, 2009

By 

P. Brown "Library Geek" (Texas) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Claim to Fame (Hardcover)

Unlike most of her books I've read, this one reminded me much of Double Identity. I loved that book and I loved this one as well. The analogy behind what Lindsey is going through and the past behind her. What I loved about this book is really how teenagers feel right now, obsessed about what they look like and wanting to know what others think about them. Well Lindsey does know from all around the world of every second of every day if she isn't inside her house.

Another thing is that this kind of gives a glimpse of how teens feel about just wanting to hole up and not come out of their home. Also about losing parents, in Lindsey's case both, one through death, the other through misunderstandings. I truly love this book and know that many of the teens in our library will truly enjoy it, especially our young teenage girls.

12 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Very disappointed, November 15, 2009

By 

L. K. Hopkins (Kentucky, USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Claim to Fame (Hardcover)

As a huge fan of Haddix, I anxiously awaited this book. I can't describe how disappointed I was, however, once I received and read it.

There is virtually very little "action", something kids this age require in their reading. The plot moves along very slowly and was actually boring at times. The biggest problem with this book, however, is that it is so closely tied to Transcendentalism - something that most children this age have never even heard of much less understand. I struggle with the understanding part myself and I am an educated 48 year old! Quotes from Thoreau that are included do nothing to help clarify what Lindsay is going through...in fact, in adds to the confusion!

Haddix has always been an author that I have recommended to my 6th grade students but this book will NOT be added to my list of recommended reading. I do hope this is just a "fluke" and her future writing will once again be back up to her standard.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book with a good message for teens & tweens, November 30, 2009

By 

Unity Dienes (Hollis, NH) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Claim to Fame (Hardcover)

(What's this?)

Like her other books, this one plays with reality for a book with just a hint of sci fi/fantasy. Watching Lindsay deal with her talent provides the momentum for the plot and the dramatic tension. Because I came to care for Lindsay I wanted to see how she would cope, and the main question of the narrative is whether she will become a crazy recluse or be able to handle normal society. Maybe not a question of riveting interest to young people (especially boys) but I was hooked.

The book was clean, although rape and child molestation are mentioned in mostly veiled references among Lindsay's fears. There is a slightly disturbing scene near the end where a prisoner who, it has been suggested, plans to violate Lindsay is released from prison and is coming closer and closer to get her. (They can keep tabs on his progress through Lindsay's talent). The scene works out in a happy manner without any violence but a sensitive child might have trouble with the innuendo throughout the book involving the prisoner.

The take-home message was not to care too much about what other people think of you, which is appropriate for the main audience of the book. Lindsay is a strong main character and a good role model. Recommended.