Sarah, Plain and Tall (1985)

Although short - easily read in under an hour – this book proves worthy of the Newberry title that it was awarded. Although less detailed than other stories about pioneer families, “Sarah, Plain and Tall” stands out for its exploration of a family situation common during that period. The family lost their mother years before, and now Father sends for a new wife by mail. At first, he and the young children know her only by her letters. However, when Sarah eventually comes - bringing with her a longing for the sea and her native Maine - the question becomes, will she stay?

Watch as a man meets a woman he does not know but plans to wed, and a woman far from home touches the lives of two children who earnestly wish she might become a song-singer, a button-sewer, and a hole-filler. ( )

Summary: A widower places an ad in the newspaper looking for a wife and a mother for his children. Sarah responds and states that she would like to stay for a month, like a trial visit. The children try to make her feel at home and by the end of the month Sarah and the father are married.



Personal Reaction: This was a sweet story but I thought the fact that the father placed an ad in the newspaper for a wife was a little interesting as he basically got a mail order bride. This book could be really helpful for a student that recently lost a parental figure or is welcoming a step parent.



Classroom Extension:

1) Have the students create their own newspaper ad looking for a new friend

2) Use this story as a way to introduce a social studies unit regarding life on the prairie.

Summary: Anna and Caleb's mother died the day after Caleb was born. After years without her, their father puts an ad in the newspaper asking for a wife. He receives a letter from Sarah in Maine. She describes herself as plain and tall. They answer her letter back. Sarah decides to come for a month. The children grows to love Sarah. Sarah grows to love the children.

Personal Reaction: It is a great heartwarming story about family.

Classroom Extension: Have children write about a time they were away from home and how they felt. Have children write about what they would want Sarah to be like if they were in the children's shoes.

I love the opening.. "Did Momma sing everyday". Was one question Caleb asked about his mother that died upon his birth. Only Anna new the truth about Momma and she also secretly resented her brother. Papa brought a Woman to the farm named Sarah. She came from Maine and loved the beach. She missed the Dunes and her cat was named Seal. She was a mail-order bride and had to sacrifice her love for the sea for a mid-west farm with two kids. She made the best of it and proved to be a strong, independent woman who loved the flowers, art, the animals and eventually the kids. Papa even sang the old songs again. I loved this story. I want to use it for a class book this spring.

Pages: 64
Reading Level: 4.2

This book reminds me of Little House on the Prairie. The setting is almost identical as well as the time period. I like the simplicity of the story and how everything seemed to fit into place, despite the constant worry that Sarah would leave. Things just seemed simpler back then. I would like to use this book in my classroom likely in a unit about early settlers.