Grandfather's Dance (Sarah, Plain and Tall)

Cassie is a little older now and Jack - John Jacob after his grandfather and father - is toddling not far behind. She describes her own thoughts on marriage and growing up, as well as the special relationship young Jack has with Grandfather as the family prepares for Anna's wedding and visiting family.

This bittersweet book is a fitting end to the series that began with Sarah, Plain and Tall. Anna and Caleb are all grown up, and Cassie and Jack meet the aunts and William for the first time. The event I kept expecting to happen didn't until the final pages. A lovely family story that I found as charming as Sarah, Plain and Tall and Skylark.

This is a beautiful, heart-warming story of a little boy who loves his grandfather, whom he calls "Boppa". When there is an upcoming wedding in the family, everyone is excited about the Aunts who will be staying for an extended time. Everyone, except grandpa.

But soon, he grows accustomed to people in the house. As with all of MacLachlan's books, the story is brief, to the point, and filled with love..

I've read most of her books, and I've liked all! This one just may be my favorite.

The love between little Jack and his Boppa is so very beautiful.

Five Stars

I knew what was coming in this book...dang it...... sad, but still good.

Could anything be more perfect then a prairie wedding? Cassie doesn’t think so, for a wedding brings:
Two lovebirds together,
Aunts from faraway Main,
A long white dress with a wedding veil,
Zinnias,
Satin Ribbons
Dancing under a clear blue sky
And a world that smells of roses.

And the Witting family comes together for this most special day, Cassie sees that life brings:
The change of seasons,
Brother Jack on Grandfathers lap,
A brand new car
Joy,
Sorrow,
And a special dance only Grandfather can does.

Sweet! This has the flavor of an older book, though it isn't that old. This series is delightful. Touching ending to this one.

Grandfather's Dance is about a family who lives on a farm. The family has three kids, two dogs and their grandfather. One of the daughters is getting married in a couple of weeks. The youngest child is a boy named Jack. Jack is learning how to talk. Every time Jack is with his grandfather, he is always learning new words. Before the wedding, the Aunts visit to see the oldest daughter get married. After the wedding, they have a big party and everyone comes and gives gifts to the couple. The next week, before the Aunts leaves the whole family has a family picture. And during the pictures, Grandfather has a heart attack and dies.

I think that Grandfather's Dance is a book that is about family. I liked the book because it has a lot of funny show more parts in the story. I would give it to a person who wants to read about a family who loves and cares each other. It can also teach you how to live in a farm. I enjoyed reading this book. show less

GRANDFATHER'S DANCE concludes the five-book story of the Witting family. Fourth-grader Cassie Witting continues to write the family journal; this novel is narrated from her point of view. Caleb is away at school. Wedding preparations have begun for Anna and Justin. Grandfather, a beloved family member, spends much of his time with baby Jack, his special pal. Sarah's aunts and brother are coming from Maine to assist with wedding plans. This novel presents moments of great joy with a bittersweet conclusion. Author Patricia MacLachlan states, "It is bittersweet for me to end my writing relationship with them (the Witting family) and all the extended family in the book GRANDFATHER'S DANCE. The "real" Sarah was my step-great-great show more grandmother, though I never knew many things about her. And the grandfather is modeled after my own father..." show less