Sarah, Plain and Tall

Book #1 in the Sarah, Plain and Tall Saga series

A young girl and her brother await the arrival of a potential stepmother from Maine, who may bring much-needed change to their lives on the prairie.

5.0/7 Bookroo expert·3.9/5 Goodreads · 92,180 ratings

112 pages· 8,388 words· Est. 1.5 hour read

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Bookroo's summary

In the late 1800s, young Anna and her brother Caleb eagerly await the arrival of Sarah, a woman from Maine answering their father's ad for a wife. As Sarah steps into their prairie life, the children wonder if she will fill the void left by their mother. Will Sarah's presence bring the warmth and love they crave, or will she leave them longing once more? This tender tale explores themes of hope, belonging, and the bonds that make a family.

From the publisher

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. 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.

Awards

Newbery Medal (1986)Golden Kite Award (1986)Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction (1986)

At a glance

Format
Pages: 112
Words: 8,388
Reading age: 6–10
Audience: Juvenile Reader
Lexile: 560L

Themes & topics

Books about blended families Books about frontier and pioneer life Books about rural living Books about farm life and ranch life Books about country life

After the last page

Talk about it together

If you had to write a letter, like Caleb and Anna, to someone who might be coming to live with your family, what would you want to know about this person?

Of all the nice things Sarah does for her new family, what do you think is the kindest?

Of all the nice things Papa does for Sarah, which do you think is the kindest?

Why doesn't Caleb want Papa to teach Sarah to drive the wagon by herself? Why is he afraid?

What readers & critics say