Module 4: Sarah, Plain and Tall

Sarah, Plain and Tall by Patricia MacLachlan

Book Cover Image:

Book Summary:

Sarah, Plain and Tall is a historical fiction story that addresses the American frontier practice of courting mail-order brides.  Jacob Witting is seeking a mother for his two children, Anna and Caleb.  Sarah Wheaton sees his advertisement and after conversing back and forth through letters agrees to visit their prairie home.  Sarah learns about life in the West and comes to love the children and their father.  The only problem is that the West is so very different from Sarah’s old home by the seaside in Maine, which she misses greatly.  The children open their hearts to Sarah and hope that their new family will give Sarah a reason to stay. 

APA Reference of Book:

MacLachlan, P. (1985). Sarah, plain and tall. New York: HarperCollins Publishing. 

Impressions:

Sarah, Plain and Tall is a story about love and creating a family.  It tugs on all your heartstrings and leaves a feeling of peace and joy behind.  I remember reading this story when I was in elementary and being touched by Anna’s and Caleb’s willingness to open their hearts to Sarah in hopes that she would stay and be their mother.  Caleb, in particular, touched my heart when he looked for hints in Sarah’s words that she meant to stay, like when she mentions gathering flowers for the coming winter and refers to the hay mound as “our” dune.  The author’s decision to use Anna as the storyteller was very wise because the innocence of her observations and purity of her emotions really speak to the reader.      

Professional Review:

School Library Journal

“Gr 5-8—A book that is filled with wisdom, gentle humor, and the practical concerns necessary for a satisfying life. Terse writing and poetic rhythm flow to create a tender story about the fragile beginnings of a family relationship on its way to permanence. Mama died at Caleb’s birth and Papa has not sung since. When a request for a mail-order bride brings a response from a woman from Maine, both Anna (who tells the story) and Caleb want to know if she sings. Sarah arrives for a trial period, and the children and their father wonder if Sarah will miss her family and the sea too much to stay with them. The characters emerge through dialogue, Sarah’s letters, and the family’s responses to her. Through a simple sentence or phrase, aspects of each character’s personality—strength, stubbornness, a sense of humor—are brought to life. Refreshingly, this novel portrays children as receptive to the love, nurturing and attention that a step-parent can offer—and the willingness to return that affection. Throughout the story, MacLachlan weaves in the colors of the prairie as the seasons pass. Readers will hold their breaths with Anna and Caleb, wondering if indeed Sarah will stay, and breathe a sigh of relief when she does. A short but moving book that is anything but plain—for those who prefer quality over quantity.”

Jones, T. (1985, May). [Review of the book Sarah, plain and tall, by P. MacLachlan].  School Library Journal, (31)9, 92-93. Retrieved from http://www.slj.com/

Library Uses:

Elementary School Library
Though short by chapter book standards, Sarah, Plain and Tall is still too long to be read comfortably in one library storytime presentation.  I therefore recommend using this title as part of a book display on frontier or pioneer life.  Another option would be introduce the book in the library before it is read in the classroom.  A possible introductory art activity to go along with this book is to give each student an outline of a suitcase, and ask them to pretend that they are moving to a new state.  Then have them draw pictures of the items that they would take in their suitcase to remind them of their old  home.