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3.67 AVERAGE
3.67 AVERAGE
I guess it's one of those you-have-to-read-it-when-you're-little kind of books.
Long-time favorite family series. I’m excited to finally share it with my youngest.
I really enjoyed getting to read this book with my daughter. It is a short book, but we liked how we got to know the feelings of the characters. My daughter was so anxious to find out if Sarah was going to stay or not.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
Looking at this title from a librarian perspective, this is a good example of a historical fiction first chapter book. It uses simple language and storyline to be an approachable read to burgeoning chapter book readers. In that way, it is not the most exciting and in-depth, and the real tension of the story lives within the emotional life of the child protagonist/narrator and in her conflicting hope/doubt that title namesake Sarah will stay on their farm and became their new stepmother. Not sure if it would be the first book I'd hand to a modern child reader as it doesn't have a strong hook, but I can see why it would have been a significant publication at its time.
The audiobook production I listened to was overly saccharine in its narration, character voices (esp. the brother), and with the piano music intro and outros that sound like they were stolen from an old PBS special... but that is alas the case with many older audiobook productions. If those things get on your audiobook listening nerves (like they do mine), probably do not listen and go for reading the hardcopy instead.
The audiobook production I listened to was overly saccharine in its narration, character voices (esp. the brother), and with the piano music intro and outros that sound like they were stolen from an old PBS special... but that is alas the case with many older audiobook productions. If those things get on your audiobook listening nerves (like they do mine), probably do not listen and go for reading the hardcopy instead.
i loved this one as a kid, although i mostly remember watching the movies over and over again. reading the book now was a very nostalgic experience, and i don't know why i waited so long to re-read, because honestly loved it just as much, if not more. it's written for children, but i found even more to love as an adult.
it's so sweet, and wholesome, and soft. i adore the whole family; caleb is so cute, anna the kindest narrator. sarah's my favorite character, tho, i think, with her love for every cat, chicken, and cow she meets, her quick, dry humor, and her deep love of the sea. i love her relationships with the children, too, and how kindly, and respectfully she treats them. <3
just the loveliest book, nearly perfect in it's own, quiet way.
it's so sweet, and wholesome, and soft. i adore the whole family; caleb is so cute, anna the kindest narrator. sarah's my favorite character, tho, i think, with her love for every cat, chicken, and cow she meets, her quick, dry humor, and her deep love of the sea. i love her relationships with the children, too, and how kindly, and respectfully she treats them. <3
just the loveliest book, nearly perfect in it's own, quiet way.
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
Sarah, Plain and Tall (Sarah, Plain and Tall, Vol. 1) by Patricia MacLachlan
Genre: Historical Fiction, Children’s Lit
Audience: General
Source: The Public Library
Source: The Public Library
Published: 1985
Tags: Historical Fiction, Setting - American Prairies, Time Period - 1910s, POV First Person, Mail Order Bride, Family, Homesickness, Farming
Characters: Anna Witting, Caleb Witting, Jacob Witting, Sarah Wheaton
Summary: Their mother died the day after Caleb was born. Their house on the prairie is quiet now, and Papa doesn’t sing anymore. Then Papa puts an ad in the paper, asking for a wife, and he receives a latter from one Sarah Elisabeth Wheaton, of Maine. Papa, Anna, and Caleb write back. Caleb asks if she sings.
Sarah decides to come for a month. She writes Papa: I will come by train. I will wear a yellow bonnet. I am plain and tall, and Tell them I sing. Anna and Caleb wait and wonder. Will Sarah be nice? Will she like them? Will she stay?
This is a re-read from my childhood.
It’s a very short book, but very charming and it holds up a lot better then I though it would. I really enjoyed revisiting this story.
Since the story is told from the POV of the eldest daughter, Sarah and Jacob’s relationship is filtered through her eyes. Now, as an adult, I can’t help but be invested in the idea of the story from their perspectives. Much of what happens between them is obviously private from their children and therefore only hinted at in the actual text. They have a very compelling love story, even if we don’t get to see much of it.
A simple and lovely story, I’m excited to read this to my kids.