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A review by gadrake
Sarah, Plain and Tall by Patricia MacLachlan
5.0
I found myself attempting to put this story into a specific setting and time period. Because of the word “Plain” I thought it may be a story about the Amish who describe themselves as plain people. That idea was defeated, however, when Sarah wore overalls along with other hints that this was not an Amish family. Then I realized I was trying to pin down the time period. If this family was not Amish, then the references to wagons and a general agricultural way of life led me to think this story was set in the 1800’s. A part of me wondered why the author was not more specific about this. Then I understood that the story was about relation- ships and inner yearnings that transcend any setting the story may be set in.
The two children are grieving in different ways for their mother who died giving birth, a timeless problem. This is a bittersweet way for any woman to die and there are mixed feelings about this event in their lives. Sarah, too, is grieving the loss of the only way of life she has known. All four characters had life force circumstances upon them.
All demonstrate their willingness to try a new paradigm for their lives (moving across country and accepting a new family member), show attempts to meet the other person halfway (gifts of shells and pencils, singing new songs, saying unfamiliar words such as “ayuh”),and emotional health (hugs, stories, touching).
Throughout the story, the children reveal much about their yearning for a new mother and all the positive things that could mean to any family. Sarah cooks for them, learns the family business, swims, decorates the home with flowers, and brings creativity to the home with her art. She does this gradually and tastefully, leaving behind any suggestion that she is there to save the day and take over. This gradual assimilation into the family allows them all to relax, enjoy one another, and ultimately bond as a new family. This is a story that would definitely appeal to children of all time periods, even today.
The two children are grieving in different ways for their mother who died giving birth, a timeless problem. This is a bittersweet way for any woman to die and there are mixed feelings about this event in their lives. Sarah, too, is grieving the loss of the only way of life she has known. All four characters had life force circumstances upon them.
All demonstrate their willingness to try a new paradigm for their lives (moving across country and accepting a new family member), show attempts to meet the other person halfway (gifts of shells and pencils, singing new songs, saying unfamiliar words such as “ayuh”),and emotional health (hugs, stories, touching).
Throughout the story, the children reveal much about their yearning for a new mother and all the positive things that could mean to any family. Sarah cooks for them, learns the family business, swims, decorates the home with flowers, and brings creativity to the home with her art. She does this gradually and tastefully, leaving behind any suggestion that she is there to save the day and take over. This gradual assimilation into the family allows them all to relax, enjoy one another, and ultimately bond as a new family. This is a story that would definitely appeal to children of all time periods, even today.