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3.67 AVERAGE
3.67 AVERAGE
I found myself attempting to put this story into a specific setting and time period. Because of the word “Plain” I thought it may be a story about the Amish who describe themselves as plain people. That idea was defeated, however, when Sarah wore overalls along with other hints that this was not an Amish family. Then I realized I was trying to pin down the time period. If this family was not Amish, then the references to wagons and a general agricultural way of life led me to think this story was set in the 1800’s. A part of me wondered why the author was not more specific about this. Then I understood that the story was about relation- ships and inner yearnings that transcend any setting the story may be set in.
The two children are grieving in different ways for their mother who died giving birth, a timeless problem. This is a bittersweet way for any woman to die and there are mixed feelings about this event in their lives. Sarah, too, is grieving the loss of the only way of life she has known. All four characters had life force circumstances upon them.
All demonstrate their willingness to try a new paradigm for their lives (moving across country and accepting a new family member), show attempts to meet the other person halfway (gifts of shells and pencils, singing new songs, saying unfamiliar words such as “ayuh”),and emotional health (hugs, stories, touching).
Throughout the story, the children reveal much about their yearning for a new mother and all the positive things that could mean to any family. Sarah cooks for them, learns the family business, swims, decorates the home with flowers, and brings creativity to the home with her art. She does this gradually and tastefully, leaving behind any suggestion that she is there to save the day and take over. This gradual assimilation into the family allows them all to relax, enjoy one another, and ultimately bond as a new family. This is a story that would definitely appeal to children of all time periods, even today.
The two children are grieving in different ways for their mother who died giving birth, a timeless problem. This is a bittersweet way for any woman to die and there are mixed feelings about this event in their lives. Sarah, too, is grieving the loss of the only way of life she has known. All four characters had life force circumstances upon them.
All demonstrate their willingness to try a new paradigm for their lives (moving across country and accepting a new family member), show attempts to meet the other person halfway (gifts of shells and pencils, singing new songs, saying unfamiliar words such as “ayuh”),and emotional health (hugs, stories, touching).
Throughout the story, the children reveal much about their yearning for a new mother and all the positive things that could mean to any family. Sarah cooks for them, learns the family business, swims, decorates the home with flowers, and brings creativity to the home with her art. She does this gradually and tastefully, leaving behind any suggestion that she is there to save the day and take over. This gradual assimilation into the family allows them all to relax, enjoy one another, and ultimately bond as a new family. This is a story that would definitely appeal to children of all time periods, even today.
Caleb and Anna's mother has passed away. Their father decides that he wants to find a new wife and places an ad in the Boston papers. (Remember this was before the internet!) Sarah answers the ad and comes to lives with the family on a trial basis. Will Sarah move from Boston permanetly to be Caleb and Anna's new mother?
adventurous
lighthearted
tense
slow-paced
Loveable characters:
Complicated
The story was predictable, but I expected it to be. The ending was very satisfying. The style of writing was simple, but this only was seen as a strength in my opinion.
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
I picked this little book up in a Newberry Award winner pack from Costco. I'd never read it before and I'm trying to go back and read some children's books to see how my perspective on them has changed. [Tom Sawyer review coming up in due course]
I'm genuinely surprised that this book got the Newberry Award because it isn't really that good, indeed this is one case in which the movie is much better than the actual book. [also The Bourne Identity, that blooming book is practically unreadable]
What I found interesting is that the relationship between Sarah and the father [a man she came out to decide if she wanted to marry] is hardly developed at all. One wonders how it is she decided to stay and marry him, maybe because she simply liked the children.
The character of Sarah is drawn pretty well considering how short the book is, but the father, hardly at all, and how they decide to get married is just sort of taken for granted. Weird.
I'm genuinely surprised that this book got the Newberry Award because it isn't really that good, indeed this is one case in which the movie is much better than the actual book. [also The Bourne Identity, that blooming book is practically unreadable]
What I found interesting is that the relationship between Sarah and the father [a man she came out to decide if she wanted to marry] is hardly developed at all. One wonders how it is she decided to stay and marry him, maybe because she simply liked the children.
The character of Sarah is drawn pretty well considering how short the book is, but the father, hardly at all, and how they decide to get married is just sort of taken for granted. Weird.
I love this book. I read it as a child, saw the movie in my 20s, and just re-read the book.