Sarah, Plain and Tall
About:
by Patricia MacLachlan
Sarah, Plain and Tall - That is how Sarah described herself in response to Jacob's advertisement for a mail-order-bride. A widower with two children, the shy prairie farmer took courage from his neighbors, one such couple whose marriage was thriving. Sarah, who lived with her about-to-be-married brother in Maine, summoned all her courage and agreed to come West for a month "to see". Sarah arrived with her collection of seashells, a book about seabirds, and Seal, a fog-gray cat. The children showed Sarah prairie wildflowers and Sarah weathered wild prairie storms with them, and Jacob. Their neighbours brought their family over and offered their friendship. Amid the singing and work and fun, Caleb and Anna, and Jacob, begin to know and love Sarah, and she them. (I won't spoil the story by sharing small details of how their relationship evolves!) But the prairie is not the coast of Maine and Sarah plainly misses the sea...will she stay? they wonder. All too quickly the month is up and Sarah will give her decision...
Without a doubt, this short novel, a Newberry winner (1986), is one of the best books I have ever read. I highly recommend it as a good read for anyone of any age and it's a great beginning novel for children. It's a wonderful story for reading aloud turn-about with children, a practice that is valuable to continue way beyond the early years. Just be prepared - I introduced it to a small co-ed group of elementary school children. They loved it so much that they devoured the sequels I had (Skylark and Caleb's Story) and sent me out to purchase the rest* as well! The children also enjoyed the tie-ins with non-fiction books on flowers, weather, horses, pioneers, seashells, and of course, seabirds.
*More Perfect Than the Moon
*Grandfather's Dance (I especially like Grandfather and was thinking of this book for this entry but decided I would start with the beginning of the story.)
P.S. There is also an excellent movie of Sarah, Plain and Tall. While it's told in Sarah's voice it is very true to the books, which are told from the children's perspectives.
ISBN: 97890064402057
Mrs. Button's Bookshelf:
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A Note From Mrs. Buttons...
Over the years I have immensely enjoyed many wonderful stories with children at my work and at home. I am pleased to have the opportunity to share here some of the favorites from my bookshelf. Most of my reading/gift recommendations will be for books still readily available; from time to time, however, I will highlight a "backyard treasure" - a book that should be snapped up should you have the great good luck to see it in a yard sale!
I, by the way, concur with C. S. Lewis and George MacDonald that a "good children's book" is one that can be enjoyed at age three or fifty-three.