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schmoterp 's review for:
Sarah, Plain and Tall
by Patricia MacLachlan
When I finished Sarah, Plain and Tall, I got this rush of tingly happiness. What a wonderful story. And it is such a short and simple book. For the adult, it's also arguably very predictable. But MacLachlan packs a relatively dense set of emotions into this children's novel that it makes it an absolute delight to read even for the more seasoned reader. For this, I give it very high praise.
As of writing this review, Kaileigh hasn't finished it yet but she's quickly adopted Anna's perspective and has been very reticent to fully accept Sarah. I've enjoyed her comprehension of the book and the challenges I've given her related to more deeper meanings and understandings. Watching Kaileigh's eyes widen regarding the relatively brutal facts about life at a time without cars, cell phones, and heavy mechanical power has been fantastic.
Sarah, Plain and Tall was selected for my daughter to help her with some comprehension issues. From my perspective, it's been the perfect novel. I think Kaileigh has grown as a reader more on this book than any other book she's read in the last two years. Unlike more contemporary titles, MacLachlan uses more traditional literary devices to tell her story. It isn't all narrative and it isn't all dialogue. There's imagery, foreshadowing, mirroring/repetition, similes and other devices that are all, I believe, quickly accessible to young minds and allows them to think deeper than just the words on the page. As a bonus, I thoroughly enjoyed the experience as well.
As of writing this review, Kaileigh hasn't finished it yet but she's quickly adopted Anna's perspective and has been very reticent to fully accept Sarah. I've enjoyed her comprehension of the book and the challenges I've given her related to more deeper meanings and understandings. Watching Kaileigh's eyes widen regarding the relatively brutal facts about life at a time without cars, cell phones, and heavy mechanical power has been fantastic.
Sarah, Plain and Tall was selected for my daughter to help her with some comprehension issues. From my perspective, it's been the perfect novel. I think Kaileigh has grown as a reader more on this book than any other book she's read in the last two years. Unlike more contemporary titles, MacLachlan uses more traditional literary devices to tell her story. It isn't all narrative and it isn't all dialogue. There's imagery, foreshadowing, mirroring/repetition, similes and other devices that are all, I believe, quickly accessible to young minds and allows them to think deeper than just the words on the page. As a bonus, I thoroughly enjoyed the experience as well.