Students should read Sarah, Plain and Tall by Patricia MacLachlan. The narrative of a family living on the American prairie in the late 19th century is told in this historical fiction book. After their mother passed away giving birth to Caleb, the father, Jacob, published an advertisement in the newspaper looking for a new wife and mother for his children, Anna and Caleb. The kids, who hardly remember or never know their mother, are lonely and curious about her. They hear back from Sarah Wheaton, a native of Maine who enjoys the sea and is single. She consents to pay them a month-long visit to see whether she can fit into their schedules.
The themes of family, love, loss, and fresh beginnings are all explored in this novel, which is an excellent approach to expose students to the history and culture of prairie life. The characters and settings are vividly described in the novel, which is presented in straightforward English. Beautiful drawings in the book also help to convey the tone and ambiance of the narrative.
Publication Date: April 1985
Reading Level: Lexile Measure 660L, Scholastic Guided Reading Level R
Interest Level: Grades 3-5
Major Awards: The has won several awards, including the 1986 Newbery Medal Winner, the Scott O’Dell Award for Historical Fiction, and the Golden Kite Award.
Number of Pages: 76 pages
Approximate Word Count: 34,160 words -- The average reader will spend 2 hours and 16 minutes reading Sarah, Plain and Tall at 250 words per minute. *
Audible Book Length: 1 hr and 1 min
Book Themes: Family, Home, Isolation, Fear, Sacrifice, Happiness, Choices, Contrasting Regions, Dreams
Genre: Family Drama, Historical Fiction
Setting: Midwest during the late 1800's
Important Quote:
There is always something to miss, no matter where you are.
First Line: “Did Mama sing every day?” asked Caleb.
Point of View: First Person (Central - Anna Wheaton)
*Estimate from Reading Length
