1. Bibliography
MacLachlan, Patricia. 1985. Sarah, Plain and Tall. New York: Harper & Row. ISBN 9780066241025
2. Plot Summary
This tale is set in the Midwest during the late 19th century. It is about a widowed farmer, Jacob, who advertises for a wife, and his two children, Anna and Caleb. When Sarah arrives from Maine for a trial period, she is homesick. The children fear she will not stay, and when she goes off to town alone, the family is concerned that she is gone for good. When she returns, she explains that “I will always miss my old home, but the truth of it is I would miss you more.”
3. Critical Analysis
MacLachlan’s short tale of abandonment, loss and love is about a family’s hope for a new beginning. The story is told through the point of view of Anna, the elder child. The characters are developed through dialogue (“Sarah said ‘later,’” Caleb whispered to me as we spread his hair about. “Sarah will stay.”) and the exchange of their letters. The plot is well-developed as well. The reader gets caught up in the “will she stay” or “will she go” excitement created through the characters. MacLachlan provides many details of farm life and of a time before electricity and motorized vehicles, such as “Papa taught Sarah how to plow the fields, guiding the plow behind Jack and Old Bess, the reins around her neck.” Through descriptions in the story the reader is able to determine the setting. MacLachlan is not forthcoming with exact details of the setting although she informs the reader that the family lives in the Midwest and Sarah is from Maine. Anna and Sarah’s descriptions allow the reader to picture the family’s home and farmland. MacLachlan carefully chooses her words so that the reader is not overwhelmed with descriptions and events. This in addition to the rhythmic flow makes this tale easy to read.
4. Review Excerpts and Awards
Starred review in School Library Journal: “A short but moving book that is anything but plain - for those who prefer quality to quantity.”
Review in Book Links: “This Newbery Medal-winning book is a perfect example of a masterfully crafted story for transitional readers.”
Review in Kirkus Reviews: “A warming, delicately tuned story”
Review in Booklist
Newbery Award winner
Scott O’Dell Award Winner for Historical Fiction
ALA Best Books
5. Connections
· Compare the coastal region to the plains region include geographical features, weather and resources in Social Studies.
· In Art, draw Sarah’s home in Maine using Sarah’s descriptions and the Witting’s home on the prairie using Anna’s descriptions.
· Provide information about each of the five types of shells Sarah brought from Maine using print and web resources.
· Create a flower chart about each of the flowers mentioned in the book. Include pictures as well as growing conditions.
· Other books in this Patricia MacLachlan trilogy:
Skylark. ISBN 9780064406222
Caleb’s Story. ISBN 9780060236052
