Sarah, Plain and Tall

Author: Patricia MacLachlan

Publishing:  HarperCollins

Number of Pages: Paperback—64 pages

Genre:  Nonfiction (Based on True Story in Author's Life)

Reading Level:  Ages 9-12

Summary:   This story is about a little girl and boy, Anna and Caleb, who miss their mom who passed away.  They want another “mother” who can come in and make their father laugh again and bring him companionship.   One day their father finds a mail-order bride who will travel from Maine and decide whether to live with the family on the prairie, this is how Sarah comes into the picture.   The kids try to be really nice and good around Sarah so that she will stay.  Sarah tells the kids about living right by the ocean on the east coast and teaches them about shells and how to pick flowers and hang them to dry.  Sarah, in turn, learns a lot about living on a prairie.  She gets to be around the animals and she loves them.  The kids’ father teaches Sarah how to plow and do different things on the prairie.  Sarah misses her home and talks about it with Maggie, a neighbor who is in the same situation that she is.  Sarah always wanted to learn to drive a wagon and finally she gets to, she goes into town and everyone wonders if she will stay or leave.  At suppertime that night, Sarah returns.  The kids are so happy, and so is the father.  She decides to stay with the family and they get married soon after, and their family is then happy again.

My Reaction to the Book:  I really liked this book, I thought it was a cute story.  It’s a fun, older book to read I think.  I remember reading it in fifth grade and really liking it too.  I love the happy ending.

Potential Problems:  Probably the only problem with this book is the fact that the kid’s mom died and now they don’t have a mother with them, but then Sarah does come along and make things better.

Recommendations:  I think I would recommend this book to anyone; it’s a good story of love and learning.