Sarah, Plain and Tall by: Patricia MacLachlan

Genre: Historical Fiction

Publisher: Harper and Row

Copyright Date: 1985

Number of Pages: 58

Reading Level: 9-12

Summary:

Anna and Caleb's mother died a few days after Caleb was born. They were older now and Anna remembered much about her but Caleb couldn't remember anything so he always asked questions about her like if she sang a lot. One day, their dad came home from the fields and he had news. He had put an add in the newspaper saying that he was looking for a wife and mother to his kids. He got a response from s lady named Sarah who lived in Maine by the sea. They were all excited and they wrote her letters asking her questions. Finally it was determined that she would come and stay with them for a month to see if it was a good fit. She came. They loved her. She loved to get down and dirty and help with the chores. She brought suveniers from the sea that she missed very much. Caleb was anxious to see if she was going to stay with them forever. They would all play with the animals, swim, and eat meals together. Their dad taught her to ride a horse and drive a wagon. The kids could tell that she and their dad got along very well and that they were growing to love each other. There was a huge storm one night and they all had to hide in the barn with the animals. Their father held Sarah close. One day she went into town by herself and everyone thought that she was leaving for good, but she came back! She came back and brought with her colored pencils, the colors of the sea. She had drawn pictures and wanted to finish them. Caleb admitted that he didn't think she was coming back. She told them then that she was going to stay for good. She and their father got married and they ate dinner together, the four of them, from then on.

Who would benefit from reading this book/Who would you recommend this book to?

This is a short simple book that is easy to read. I would recommend it to children who are studying this time period because it is a historical fiction book.

What problems/conflicts could this book potentially cause?

None that I can see.

My reaction:

I thought it was ok. It was an easy read with a simple plot but I thought it was almost too simple. There weren't many descriptions about things that could make me really see what was going on. Sarah bugged me. I don't know why... Maybe its just because of how often she talked about missing the sea. In my mind I was thinking, why did you decide to leave it then? I know that question is answered but, overall, not my favorite book.