Sarah, Plain and Tall

Sarah, Plain and Tall by Patricia MacLachlan was given the Newberry Award in 1986 (the year my beautiful bride and I were married, thus a great, great year). Sarah, Plain and Tall was a delightful read. It brought me back to the times that appeared to be simpler, in terms of hustle and bushel as well as the lightening speed of technology). I am deeply appreciative of the teachers who put forth their hard earned money to purchase this newberry award winning book. This book, along with the many others purchased as a gift, will be cherished for years to come. They will sit on the shelves of honor for years to come.

Sarah, Plain and Tall is about a family who lost their mother in childbirth. The father, who is very sad and doesn't sing songs any more, puts an add in the paper for a bride. Anna, the older sister, and Caleb, the younger brother, were excited that dad put an add in the paper for a wife. Caleb, Anna, and dad wrote to Sarah (the lady who responded to the add) to find out more about her. Sarah wrote back and answered every question the children and dad asked. Sarah's favorite colors were of the sea, could make an excellent stew, and she enjoys making bookshelves and painting (wow).

Sarah and Caleb were worried that Sarah may not come or if she came she would not like to stay because it was not like the sea. It was evident through her letters that she loved the ocean near the coasts of Main. Would she love the grass and sky without the ocean so near?

Jacob, the father, Anna, and Caleb wrote to Sarah and Sarah wrote back. There letters we,re a delightful read. All written from the heart and innocent. Sarah agrees to leave state of Main and visit the family, a sort of trial run. She will be wearing a yellow bonnet and come by train to the farm that Anna, Caleb and Jacob, the father, lives.

Anna's family enjoyed the stew and the pleasant songs that came from the lips of Sarah. The first to love her was Caleb and the rest began to do so too. Sarah loves animals. When a little lamb died she shooed the buzzard-like birds away, cried by their side, and had Jacob bury it late that evening.

Sarah began to ask questions that linked her to her home in Main. "Is there wind?" "Would you like to swim?" Sarah began to see things that reminded her of her previous home. Things are looking good.

Sarah meets a neighbor who's name is Maggie. They have a great conversation about gardens as well as driving a wagon. The kids as well as Maggie offer to teach Sarah to drive a wagon. In Main, Sarah walked everywhere, however, in their neck of the woods it is better to drive.

A huge storm was coming to the plains. Sarah and Jacob went to the roof to secure it and make it stronger. Sarah knew about roofs and how to make the stronger. The storm passed over and the roof survived, especially after the work Sarah and Jacob put into it.

Papa, Jacob, trained Sarah how to ride a horse as well as drive a wagon. After Sarah learns how to ride the horse and drive the wagon she goes off to town. The kids, Anna and Caleb, are worried that Sarah will not come back. To their delight Sarah returns with gifts of the sea.

This was a delightful story from the eyes of a child who lived in the "little house in the prairie" days. As I read the story of Sarah, Plain and Tall I couldn't help but notice the tie to the newberry award winning book, "Out of the Dust". Sarah, Plain and Tall is a story that read like a diary written by a young child in the 1800 or 1900's.

AR QUIZ: 100%