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3.67 AVERAGE
3.67 AVERAGE
A short and sweet classic. Always a great read for any age.
Reread. Loved this book as a kid. Will read to my class
This is such a fun book! I read it so many years ago, but have such a wonderful time reading books with my students <3
I liked this- very simple, a bit sparse- but in a good way.
I love Sarah, Plain and Tall so much.
As a child, I read it a couple of years after it was published and it stirred up my interest in homesteading family stories, which led me to the Little House series.
I’m happy to report that it’s still delightful after all these years.
When Anna’s mom dies the day after giving birth to her little brother, Caleb, there is no more singing in the home on the prairie. The family of three gets by for years, but Papa wants to remarry.
Jacob places an ad in various newspapers for a wife and Sarah from Maine replies (and eventually travels by train to visit for one month...”just to see”).
The rest of the book covers her time with the family. They go about their ordinary tasks in their ordinary lives, and Patricia MacLachlan writes about the ordinary so beautifully.
Whether you have little ones to read it with or just want to revisit one of the most distinguished books in American Children’s Literature (it’s a Newberry Medal winner), find a copy at your library and enjoy!
As a child, I read it a couple of years after it was published and it stirred up my interest in homesteading family stories, which led me to the Little House series.
I’m happy to report that it’s still delightful after all these years.
When Anna’s mom dies the day after giving birth to her little brother, Caleb, there is no more singing in the home on the prairie. The family of three gets by for years, but Papa wants to remarry.
Jacob places an ad in various newspapers for a wife and Sarah from Maine replies (and eventually travels by train to visit for one month...”just to see”).
The rest of the book covers her time with the family. They go about their ordinary tasks in their ordinary lives, and Patricia MacLachlan writes about the ordinary so beautifully.
Whether you have little ones to read it with or just want to revisit one of the most distinguished books in American Children’s Literature (it’s a Newberry Medal winner), find a copy at your library and enjoy!
If you’ve ever taken a children’s literature class, chances are you’ve seen this book. If you’ve taken a lot of children literature classes, you’ve probably seen this book more than once. It’s a beloved classic. I’ve heard so much about it that I decided it was time for me to read it.
My reaction upon finishing it: “Um . . . okay?”
Sarah, Plain and Tall is a short chapter book that is set in the 1800s and narrated by a child named Anna. Anna’s mother died giving birth to Anna’s brother, Caleb. One day, their father places an ad in a national newspaper in the hopes of finding a new wife and mother for his children. After exchanging a few letters with the family, Sarah comes from Maine to live with them. Anna and Caleb love her instantly, but they worry that she’ll leave them like their birth mother did.
For me, this book was a case of expectations being much different from reality. I’ve been hearing so much about this story for so many years that I had high expectations. The writing is great, but I thought there would be more to the plot.
This is one of those books where you’re waiting and waiting for something to happen, but “something” never shows up. Sarah and Papa basically meet through the 1800s version of online dating. They put ads in papers, write a few letters to each other, then she moves across the country to be with him. I expected this transition to be more difficult. Sarah is homesick, but that’s about it. I thought there would be some tension, or awkwardness, or discussion of family roles, or adjustment issues as Sarah goes from childless to the mother of two children. I thought we’d find out what motivated Sarah to leave everything behind and become a mother to a family she’s never met. Nope. Everything happens easily; the adults don’t have any emotional baggage; and everyone is thrilled with the changes.
The suspense in the story comes from Anna worrying that Sarah will leave. The best part of the book is how realistically the author captures Anna’s grief for her mother and fear of being abandoned by Sarah. Anna’s emotions are subtle, but the author trusts that young readers will notice them. There’s nothing heavy-handed about this book. The author knows that kids are smart and don’t need to be beat over the head with a moral.
For an adult, this is a quick read. I got through it in about an hour. I enjoyed it, but I was expecting more action.
My reaction upon finishing it: “Um . . . okay?”
Sarah, Plain and Tall is a short chapter book that is set in the 1800s and narrated by a child named Anna. Anna’s mother died giving birth to Anna’s brother, Caleb. One day, their father places an ad in a national newspaper in the hopes of finding a new wife and mother for his children. After exchanging a few letters with the family, Sarah comes from Maine to live with them. Anna and Caleb love her instantly, but they worry that she’ll leave them like their birth mother did.
“I will come by train. I will wear a yellow bonnet. I am plain and tall.” – Sarah, Plain and Tall
For me, this book was a case of expectations being much different from reality. I’ve been hearing so much about this story for so many years that I had high expectations. The writing is great, but I thought there would be more to the plot.
This is one of those books where you’re waiting and waiting for something to happen, but “something” never shows up. Sarah and Papa basically meet through the 1800s version of online dating. They put ads in papers, write a few letters to each other, then she moves across the country to be with him. I expected this transition to be more difficult. Sarah is homesick, but that’s about it. I thought there would be some tension, or awkwardness, or discussion of family roles, or adjustment issues as Sarah goes from childless to the mother of two children. I thought we’d find out what motivated Sarah to leave everything behind and become a mother to a family she’s never met. Nope. Everything happens easily; the adults don’t have any emotional baggage; and everyone is thrilled with the changes.
The suspense in the story comes from Anna worrying that Sarah will leave. The best part of the book is how realistically the author captures Anna’s grief for her mother and fear of being abandoned by Sarah. Anna’s emotions are subtle, but the author trusts that young readers will notice them. There’s nothing heavy-handed about this book. The author knows that kids are smart and don’t need to be beat over the head with a moral.
For an adult, this is a quick read. I got through it in about an hour. I enjoyed it, but I was expecting more action.
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
slow-paced
As suggested in [b:Excellent Books for Early and Eager Readers|26221386|Excellent Books for Early and Eager Readers|Kathleen T. Isaacs|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1443624593l/26221386._SY75_.jpg|46204333]