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3.67 AVERAGE
3.67 AVERAGE
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
A very short and simple book, but a pleasure to read.
I can't remember if this was read to me in class when I was little or not. I have a vague memory that it was, but I had no memory of it. So I was surprised when the book featured the title character and not her two contemporaries, Plain and Tall. I'm half kidding about that, but it was such a nice, simple and short read about what love is. It's each and every little decision and action you make and not always just a feeling. This books was very sweet and encouraging!
I don't know how I missed this one when I was a kid. This short novel was so tender and heartfelt--it nearly had me in tears several times. MacLachlan tells the sweet story of Anna and Caleb, who live on the prairie during the pioneer days. Their mother died after giving birth to Caleb. Now Papa is lonely and writes an ad in the paper requesting a wife. Soon the family receives a letter in response...enter Sarah, plain and tall. I have always loved stories about family and relationships, and this one certainly did not disappoint. I think many children ages 8/9 and up would enjoy this story since it is humorous, sweet, and very relatable in many ways (think sibling relationship and forming bonds with new step-parents). And of course anyone who loves good historical fiction will like it too--it is full of rich imagery that puts a clear image of the prairie in your mind. Highly recommend this one.
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.
1986 Newbery Winner
I read it because I never had. It was okay.
I read it because I never had. It was okay.
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
A friend of mine handed me this book and said, "You have to read this." It was published in the mid-80's and won the Newbery Medal. I can't believe I never read this! It's such a perfect little story. Patricia MacLachlan brings the characters to life very quickly and you instantly fall in love with them. It'll take you less than an hour to read, but it's well worth it.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
