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3.67 AVERAGE
3.67 AVERAGE
This is a sweet children's classic about the making of a family — the narrator, her brother, her father, and the woman who answers her father's ad for a new wife and comes from out East to the plains for a trial month. The plot mainly centers around the children, particularly the brother, looking for clues about whether Sarah wants to stay longer. (They want her to stay.) It's not necessarily the greatest book about creating a stepfamily — it glosses over most things — but it is a good book for discussing homesickness and how you can miss the place you come from while also being happy with the people around you.
This was such a quick, enthusiastic book. I remember reading this when I was younger and falling in love with the characters. I loved Sarah. I loved that she is plain and tall. I loved how she yearns for the sea and how much she came to love her new family. How she teaches the kids that girls can wear trousers and ride horses and fix roofs and still be gentle, loving, maternal.
Now that I'm a jaded, critical adult I can ask the real questions...such as, was this really the greatest addition to the kidlit canon of that year? I don't know. But you know what? The Newbery's aren't really for me. They're for the kids that read these books. They're for the kids that need to hear, in the fewest of words and in the gentlest of ways, that they can survive despite loss and learn to see the beauty of their own lives.
So yeah. I liked it. I'm off my soapbox now.
Now that I'm a jaded, critical adult I can ask the real questions...such as, was this really the greatest addition to the kidlit canon of that year? I don't know. But you know what? The Newbery's aren't really for me. They're for the kids that read these books. They're for the kids that need to hear, in the fewest of words and in the gentlest of ways, that they can survive despite loss and learn to see the beauty of their own lives.
So yeah. I liked it. I'm off my soapbox now.
A delightful little book!! I finally read it after all this time.
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
I know it's a kids book. I don't care. I loved this so, so much. How sweet and beautiful it is ❤️💕 It's just so soft, observant, truly sweet, and hopeful. The mingling of love and loss and hope is so simple, but brought me to tears (I am weak, lol). Love, love, LOVED this ❤️
This is the first book I've read in a while that I didn't want to end. Can't wait to read it again when I have children ❤️❤️
This is the first book I've read in a while that I didn't want to end. Can't wait to read it again when I have children ❤️❤️
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
January 2023: One of my favorite children's stories, and especially nice this time with Glenn Close reading the audiobook.
June 2016: Lovely and heartwarming. In fewer than 60 pages of beautiful, economical prose that never talks down to its young audience, MacLachlan tells a poignant tale of longing, hope, and love. She brings her small cast of characters to life (sweet Caleb!) and paints a vivid picture of late-19th century life on the plains. Deceptively simple, full of rich emotion and truth. I teared up more than once while reading this. I wish all children's books were so well-written! A real classic.
June 2016: Lovely and heartwarming. In fewer than 60 pages of beautiful, economical prose that never talks down to its young audience, MacLachlan tells a poignant tale of longing, hope, and love. She brings her small cast of characters to life (sweet Caleb!) and paints a vivid picture of late-19th century life on the plains. Deceptively simple, full of rich emotion and truth. I teared up more than once while reading this. I wish all children's books were so well-written! A real classic.
4.5 ⭐️ rounded up. I listened to this on audio and as a huge childhood fan of the film adaptation, I LOVED that it was narrated by Glenn Close. I realized how faithful the film was to the book, and her voice just brought the story alive in such a beautiful way. I love the imagery in this book and its simplicity. It was such a fun journey to spend, even short, back to a childhood favorite.
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No