Book Cover Photo Source, Barnes and Noble: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Sarah-Plain-and-Tall/Patricia-MacLachlan/e/9780060241018/?itm=2, accessed November 12, 2008.
Bibliography
MacLachlan, Patricia. 1985. SARAH, PLAIN AND TALL. New York, NY: HarperCollins Children’s Books. ISBN 0060241020
Plot Summary
Set in the 1880’s, SARAH, PLAIN AND TALL is the story of two siblings, Anna and Caleb, who are living without a mother after she dies during childbirth. Jacob, Anna and Caleb’s father, has put an ad in the newspapers for a wife and receives and answer from a woman named Sarah who lives in Maine. She writes the family that she will come for a month’s time “To see how it is.” She tells the family “I will come by train. I will wear a yellow bonnet. I am plain and tall.” She also tells the children that she sings, which they haven’t done since they lost their mother. The children are very receptive to Sarah’s nurturing and attention and soon start to worry that she will miss her home in Maine too much to stay with them. As the seasons change and the children grow more attached to Sarah, readers will hold their breath in finding out if Sarah does indeed decide to stay.
Critical Analysis
This piece of historical fiction is written in a gentle poetic rhythm that flows to create a story of family relationships in their fragile beginnings. Anna and Caleb fall in love with Sarah through her letters even before she arrives from Maine. The characters dialogue with one another though simple, gives us much insight to each ones personality. Anna, the thoughtful one, Caleb, who Anna describes as “loud and pesky,” but in reality is very insecure, Papa, the quiet one, and Sarah, who is “strong” and “willing to travel” but who also has a mind of her own.
MacLachlan describes life on the prairie with such detail that students will feel as if they have been there. In one scene in the book the children have just gone swimming with Sarah in the cow pond, “We climbed the bank and dried ourselves and lay in the grass again. The cows watched, their eyes sad in their dinner-plate faces. And I slept, dreaming a perfect dream. The fields had turned to a sea that gleamed like sun on glass. And Sarah was happy.” MacLachlan has said that her story is based on a true event in her family’s history, which gives the book that much more credibility.
The story flows flawlessly and would be wonderful read aloud to younger students. Older students will enjoy reading it on their own and discussing it as a class. Many concepts, such as mail order brides, will be new to the students, whereas life in the late 1800’s will be at least familiar to most. Although short, the book is a touching story for those who prefer quality to quantity.
Review Excerpt(s)
JOHN NEWBERRY MEDAL WINNER 1986 – For the Most Distinguished Contribution to American Literature for Children
SCOTT O’DELL AWARD FOR HISTORICAL FICTION FOR CHILDREN 1986
BOOK LINKS: “All the elements-setting, character, plot and voice-are exquisitely woven together in a tightly written, highly accessible story. The language is spare, yet lyrical.”
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL, Starred Book Review: “A book that is filled with wisdom, gentle humor and the practical concerns necessary for a satisfying life.”
MacLachlan, Patricia. 1985. SARAH, PLAIN AND TALL. New York, NY: HarperCollins Children’s Books. ISBN 0060241020
Plot Summary
Set in the 1880’s, SARAH, PLAIN AND TALL is the story of two siblings, Anna and Caleb, who are living without a mother after she dies during childbirth. Jacob, Anna and Caleb’s father, has put an ad in the newspapers for a wife and receives and answer from a woman named Sarah who lives in Maine. She writes the family that she will come for a month’s time “To see how it is.” She tells the family “I will come by train. I will wear a yellow bonnet. I am plain and tall.” She also tells the children that she sings, which they haven’t done since they lost their mother. The children are very receptive to Sarah’s nurturing and attention and soon start to worry that she will miss her home in Maine too much to stay with them. As the seasons change and the children grow more attached to Sarah, readers will hold their breath in finding out if Sarah does indeed decide to stay.
Critical Analysis
This piece of historical fiction is written in a gentle poetic rhythm that flows to create a story of family relationships in their fragile beginnings. Anna and Caleb fall in love with Sarah through her letters even before she arrives from Maine. The characters dialogue with one another though simple, gives us much insight to each ones personality. Anna, the thoughtful one, Caleb, who Anna describes as “loud and pesky,” but in reality is very insecure, Papa, the quiet one, and Sarah, who is “strong” and “willing to travel” but who also has a mind of her own.
MacLachlan describes life on the prairie with such detail that students will feel as if they have been there. In one scene in the book the children have just gone swimming with Sarah in the cow pond, “We climbed the bank and dried ourselves and lay in the grass again. The cows watched, their eyes sad in their dinner-plate faces. And I slept, dreaming a perfect dream. The fields had turned to a sea that gleamed like sun on glass. And Sarah was happy.” MacLachlan has said that her story is based on a true event in her family’s history, which gives the book that much more credibility.
The story flows flawlessly and would be wonderful read aloud to younger students. Older students will enjoy reading it on their own and discussing it as a class. Many concepts, such as mail order brides, will be new to the students, whereas life in the late 1800’s will be at least familiar to most. Although short, the book is a touching story for those who prefer quality to quantity.
Review Excerpt(s)
JOHN NEWBERRY MEDAL WINNER 1986 – For the Most Distinguished Contribution to American Literature for Children
SCOTT O’DELL AWARD FOR HISTORICAL FICTION FOR CHILDREN 1986
BOOK LINKS: “All the elements-setting, character, plot and voice-are exquisitely woven together in a tightly written, highly accessible story. The language is spare, yet lyrical.”
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL, Starred Book Review: “A book that is filled with wisdom, gentle humor and the practical concerns necessary for a satisfying life.”
Connections
Invite students to write an original story of what they think happens after the story ends. What adventures might Anna and her new family have together? After doing this activity read the sequel to SARAH, PLAIN AND TALL, and see if any of your predictions were right.
Discuss in further detail this time in History. What big changes were taking place in America? What were some of the big inventions during this time?
Other books by Patricia Maclachlan:
SKYLARK. ISBN 0064406222
CALEB’S STORY. ISBN 0064405907
JOURNEY. ISBN 0440408091
BABY. ISBN 0440411495
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