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Sarah, Plain and Tall
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Start ReadingRatings:
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5 (105 ratings)
Length: 81 pages1 hour
- Publisher:
- HarperCollins
- Released:
- Jun 25, 2013
- ISBN:
- 9780062285768
- Format:
- Book
Description
This beloved Newbery Medal–winning book is the first of five books in Patricia MacLachlan's chapter book series about the Witting family.
Set in the late nineteenth century and told from young Anna's point of view, Sarah, Plain and Tall tells the story of how Sarah Elisabeth Wheaton comes from Maine to the prairie to answer Papa's advertisement for a wife and mother. Before Sarah arrives, Anna and her younger brother Caleb wait and wonder. Will Sarah be nice? Will she sing? Will she stay?
This children's literature classic is perfect for fans of Laura Ingalls Wilder's Little House on the Prairie books, historical fiction, and timeless stories using rich and beautiful language, and it's a strong choice for independent reading. Sarah, Plain and Tall gently explores themes of abandonment, loss, and love.
This anniversary edition includes author Patricia MacLachlan's Newbery speech, a discussion guide, and a reading list.
Read the rest of the Sarah books by Patricia MacLachlan: Skylark, Caleb’s Story, More Perfect than the Moon, and Grandfather’s Dance.
Book Actions
Start ReadingBook Information
Sarah, Plain and Tall
Ratings:
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5 (105 ratings)
Length: 81 pages1 hour
Description
This beloved Newbery Medal–winning book is the first of five books in Patricia MacLachlan's chapter book series about the Witting family.
Set in the late nineteenth century and told from young Anna's point of view, Sarah, Plain and Tall tells the story of how Sarah Elisabeth Wheaton comes from Maine to the prairie to answer Papa's advertisement for a wife and mother. Before Sarah arrives, Anna and her younger brother Caleb wait and wonder. Will Sarah be nice? Will she sing? Will she stay?
This children's literature classic is perfect for fans of Laura Ingalls Wilder's Little House on the Prairie books, historical fiction, and timeless stories using rich and beautiful language, and it's a strong choice for independent reading. Sarah, Plain and Tall gently explores themes of abandonment, loss, and love.
This anniversary edition includes author Patricia MacLachlan's Newbery speech, a discussion guide, and a reading list.
Read the rest of the Sarah books by Patricia MacLachlan: Skylark, Caleb’s Story, More Perfect than the Moon, and Grandfather’s Dance.
- Publisher:
- HarperCollins
- Released:
- Jun 25, 2013
- ISBN:
- 9780062285768
- Format:
- Book
About the author
Patricia MacLachlan is the celebrated author of many timeless novels for young readers, including Newbery Medal winner Sarah, Plain and Tall; Word After Word After Word; Kindred Souls; The Truth of Me; The Poet’s Dog; and My Father’s Words. She is also the author of countless beloved picture books, a number of which she cowrote with her daughter, Emily. She lives in Williamsburg, Massachusetts.
Related to Sarah, Plain and Tall
Book Preview
Sarah, Plain and Tall - Patricia Maclachlan
Dedication
For old friends, dear friends—
DICK AND WENDY PUFF,
ALLISON AND DEREK
Contents
Dedication
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Sarah, Plain and Tall 30th Anniversary Edition: Bonus Materials
Patricia MacLachlan: Newbery Medal Acceptance Speech
Discussion Guide
Suggested Reading List
Excerpt from Skylark
1
Excerpt from Caleb’s Story
1
Excerpt from More Perfect than the Moon
1
Excerpt from Grandfather’s Dance
1
About the Author
Books by Patricia MacLachlan
Back Ads
Credits
Copyright
About the Publisher
1
"Did Mama sing every day? asked Caleb.
Every-single-day?" He sat close to the fire, his chin in his hand. It was dusk, and the dogs lay beside him on the warm hearthstones.
Every-single-day,
I told him for the second time this week. For the twentieth time this month. The hundredth time this year? And the past few years?
And did Papa sing, too?
Yes. Papa sang, too. Don’t get so close, Caleb. You’ll heat up.
He pushed his chair back. It made a hollow scraping sound on the hearthstones, and the dogs stirred. Lottie, small and black, wagged her tail and lifted her head. Nick slept on.
I turned the bread dough over and over on the marble slab on the kitchen table.
Well, Papa doesn’t sing anymore,
said Caleb very softly. A log broke apart and crackled in the fireplace. He looked up at me. What did I look like when I was born?
You didn’t have any clothes on,
I told him.
I know that,
he said.
You looked like this.
I held the bread dough up in a round pale ball.
I had hair,
said Caleb seriously.
Not enough to talk about,
I said.
And she named me Caleb,
he went on, filling in the old familiar story.
"I would have named you Troublesome," I said, making Caleb smile.
And Mama handed me to you in the yellow blanket and said . . .
He waited for me to finish the story. And said . . . ?
I sighed. And Mama said, ‘Isn’t he beautiful, Anna?’
And I was,
Caleb finished.
Caleb thought the story was over, and I didn’t tell him what I had really thought. He was homely and plain, and he had a terrible holler and a horrid smell. But these were not the worst of him. Mama died the next morning. That was the worst thing about Caleb.
Isn’t he beautiful, Anna?
Her last words to me. I had gone to bed thinking how wretched he looked. And I forgot to say good night.
I wiped my hands on my apron and went to the window. Outside, the prairie reached out and touched the places where the sky came down. Though winter was nearly over, there were patches of snow and ice everywhere. I looked at the long dirt road that crawled across the plains, remembering the morning that Mama had died, cruel and sunny. They had come for her in a wagon and taken her away to be buried. And then the cousins and aunts and uncles had come and tried to fill up the house. But they couldn’t.
Slowly, one by one, they left. And then the days seemed long and dark like winter days, even though it wasn’t winter. And Papa didn’t sing.
Isn’t he beautiful, Anna?
No, Mama.
It was hard to think of Caleb as beautiful. It took three whole days for me to love him, sitting in the chair by the fire, Papa washing up the supper dishes, Caleb’s tiny hand brushing my cheek. And a smile. It was the smile, I know.
Can you remember her songs?
asked Caleb. Mama’s songs?
I turned from the window. No. Only that she sang about flowers and birds. Sometimes about the moon at nighttime.
Caleb reached down and touched Lottie’s head.
Maybe,
he said, his voice low, if you remember the songs, then I might remember her, too.
My eyes widened and tears came. Then the door opened and wind blew in with Papa, and I went to stir the stew. Papa put his arms around me and put his nose in my hair.
Nice soapy smell, that stew,
he said.
I laughed. That’s my hair.
Caleb came over and threw his arms around Papa’s neck and hung down as Papa swung him back and forth, and the dogs sat up.
Cold in town,
said Papa. And Jack was feisty.
Jack was Papa’s horse that he’d raised from a colt. Rascal,
murmured Papa, smiling, because no matter
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Reviews
Reviews
What people think about Sarah, Plain and Tall
4.0Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
105 ratings / 101 reviews
What did you think?
Rating: out of 5 stars
Reader reviews
pammypam_1
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars(5/5)
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Sarah, Plain and Tall by Patricia MacLachlan“Did mama sing every day?” asked Caleb. “Every-single-day?” He sate close to the fire, his chin in his hand. It was dusk, and the dogs lay beside him on the warm hearthstones.Somehow in my reading lifetime I missed Sarah, Plain and Tall; I recently discovered this gem and can see why it is so beloved. After Papa is left a widower with small children at home, he puts an ad in the newspaper for a wife. What he gets is Sarah. Sarah is a perfect match for Papa and the children and the delightful tale of their growing relationships gently unfolds during the story.No matter how much I enjoyed the story (and the possibility of reading the sequels) I cannot help thinking that there is no ethnic diversity in the story. But not nonexistent. The author very slyly imposes a feminist approach to Sarah’s character. Sarah is smart and physically strong and is able to perform many tasks around the farm that are traditionally male and forces the family to understand that these abilities are part of her character. Naturally, Papa has trouble adjusting to this type of woman. These-strong minded female character traits are important for young readers to be exposed to. This viewpoint provides diversity with Sarah is a role model.Diversity benefits this entire family as Sarah decides whether she will stay and become Papa’s wife.
pammypam_1
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars(5/5)
Sarah, Plain and Tall by Patricia MacLachlan“Did mama sing every day?” asked Caleb. “Every-single-day?” He sate close to the fire, his chin in his hand. It was dusk, and the dogs lay beside him on the warm hearthstones.Somehow in my reading lifetime I missed Sarah, Plain and Tall; I recently discovered this gem and can see why it is so beloved. After Papa is left a widower with small children at home, he puts an ad in the newspaper for a wife. What he gets is Sarah. Sarah is a perfect match for Papa and the children and the delightful tale of their growing relationships gently unfolds during the story.No matter how much I enjoyed the story (and the possibility of reading the sequels) I cannot help thinking that there is no ethnic diversity in the story. But not nonexistent. The author very slyly imposes a feminist approach to Sarah’s character. Sarah is smart and physically strong and is able to perform many tasks around the farm that are traditionally male and forces the family to understand that these abilities are part of her character. Naturally, Papa has trouble adjusting to this type of woman. These-strong minded female character traits are important for young readers to be exposed to. This viewpoint provides diversity with Sarah is a role model.Diversity benefits this entire family as Sarah decides whether she will stay and become Papa’s wife.
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sarahclick
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars(3/5)
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Summary:This book is about a family where the mother has passed away. The father becomes lonely so he puts an Ad in the newspaper for a wife and a woman named Sarah from Maine answers the ad. She comes to their house and lives with them and begins to love them. Finally at the end of the book she knows that she wants to stay and there is going to be a wedding. Personal Reaction:I remember my mom reading this book with me as a child but I don't remember him putting an ad in the paper. I guess when we are little we don't always grasp things but overall I thought the book was cute.Classroom Extension Ideas:1. Learn to draw what we see. 2. Write about what we are thankful for.
sarahclick
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars(3/5)
Summary:This book is about a family where the mother has passed away. The father becomes lonely so he puts an Ad in the newspaper for a wife and a woman named Sarah from Maine answers the ad. She comes to their house and lives with them and begins to love them. Finally at the end of the book she knows that she wants to stay and there is going to be a wedding. Personal Reaction:I remember my mom reading this book with me as a child but I don't remember him putting an ad in the paper. I guess when we are little we don't always grasp things but overall I thought the book was cute.Classroom Extension Ideas:1. Learn to draw what we see. 2. Write about what we are thankful for.
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kdhayes06
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars(5/5)
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Summary: A man puts an ad in the newspaper for a wife and mother for himself and his two children. Sarah travels all the way from the ocean coast of Maine to the rolling prairies of the new frontier. This is the story of their trails of getting to know each other and maybe starting a new life. Personal: This was a very easy, quick read. The author paints a vivid picture of what life was like on the open prairie. I don’t know if I would have had their courage.Classroom Extensions: Social Studies: When studying the different parts of the country this book would really help the students picture what the prairies were like. It would also give them a look at life during this time period focusing on the tools that were available, transportation, or what school was like then. Math: Make a timeline of what a normal day on the farm is like and then have the kids make out a timeline of their day.Fresh bread was made daily. It would be fun to make some homemade biscuits with the students and let them measure out the ingredients and follow the recipe directions.
kdhayes06
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars(5/5)
Summary: A man puts an ad in the newspaper for a wife and mother for himself and his two children. Sarah travels all the way from the ocean coast of Maine to the rolling prairies of the new frontier. This is the story of their trails of getting to know each other and maybe starting a new life. Personal: This was a very easy, quick read. The author paints a vivid picture of what life was like on the open prairie. I don’t know if I would have had their courage.Classroom Extensions: Social Studies: When studying the different parts of the country this book would really help the students picture what the prairies were like. It would also give them a look at life during this time period focusing on the tools that were available, transportation, or what school was like then. Math: Make a timeline of what a normal day on the farm is like and then have the kids make out a timeline of their day.Fresh bread was made daily. It would be fun to make some homemade biscuits with the students and let them measure out the ingredients and follow the recipe directions.
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jeriannthacker
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars(3/5)
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Simple, sweet story about Sarah, who leaves her home to become the wife of a stranger.
jeriannthacker
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars(3/5)
Simple, sweet story about Sarah, who leaves her home to become the wife of a stranger.
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dcoops2
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars(4/5)
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This book apeals to older children, due to the fact that the story is longer and there are no illustrations to captivate the young mind. The moral of the story teaches about the lost of a parent which can be an emotional strain on the individual.Growing up and knowing what it felt like for the lost of a parent faced by my cousins can be not only emotional but depressing. Dealing with such a loss is an on going process which sometimes may never heal. However, the love that was shared between parent and child can be a silver lining.
dcoops2
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars(4/5)
This book apeals to older children, due to the fact that the story is longer and there are no illustrations to captivate the young mind. The moral of the story teaches about the lost of a parent which can be an emotional strain on the individual.Growing up and knowing what it felt like for the lost of a parent faced by my cousins can be not only emotional but depressing. Dealing with such a loss is an on going process which sometimes may never heal. However, the love that was shared between parent and child can be a silver lining.
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teddiemitchell
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars(3/5)
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Sarah, Plain and Tall is an excellent book about school teacher that answers an ad asking for a woman to come and become a wife and a mother. Sarah leaves her home in Maine to go to a farm on the frontier to meet the widower with two children, a girl, Anna, and a boy Caleb. Sarah has to decide whether or not she wants to stay on the farm and become a wife and a mother or go back home to Maine. I really enjoyed reading this book the first time I read it in Elementary school and the second time I read it also. It is an excellent story about overcoming a lose and moving on with your lives and fitting in to a new place.In the classroom i would have the girl students write about what they would do if they were Sarah and the boy students to write about what they would do if they were the Papa of the two children.
teddiemitchell
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars(3/5)
Sarah, Plain and Tall is an excellent book about school teacher that answers an ad asking for a woman to come and become a wife and a mother. Sarah leaves her home in Maine to go to a farm on the frontier to meet the widower with two children, a girl, Anna, and a boy Caleb. Sarah has to decide whether or not she wants to stay on the farm and become a wife and a mother or go back home to Maine. I really enjoyed reading this book the first time I read it in Elementary school and the second time I read it also. It is an excellent story about overcoming a lose and moving on with your lives and fitting in to a new place.In the classroom i would have the girl students write about what they would do if they were Sarah and the boy students to write about what they would do if they were the Papa of the two children.
Was this review helpful for you?