Summary:
This is a very moving story about a father and his two children Anna and Caleb. When their mother died after giving birth to Caleb, Anna and her father didn't know what hit them, although they were sad they now were responsible in taking care of the new baby. Caleb grew up not knowing his mother but was told that she always sang songs with their Papa, and he never stop asking Anna questions about their mother. Since Mamas passing, Papa never sang any more either said Anna to Caleb. Then one day Papa finally admitted to the children how he had put an ad in the paper asking for a wife. Although the children were surprised, they wondered if anyone was going to answer their fathers ad, until they started getting letters from a lady name Sarah Elizabeth Wheaton.
As busy as they were with the farm, and feeding the animals, they were excited and happy when father mentioned one day that Sarah was coming to see meet them. Anna and Caleb wondered if she would except them or would she leave after she sees how their house looks like. Would she like their Papa, or the way they act in front of her. They couldn't wait for the day when she arrives at the farm and they knew that their Papa was just as excited as they were.
Finally that day arrive when they saw the wagon that Papa drove coming up the hill to the house. They both ran to greet her, and she was just as she said she would be, plain and tall. Sarah met the children and saw the farm and everything that belonged to Papa. Although she missed home, and her brother, especially the sea, Sarah was content with what she was going to have, the children loved her and so was Papa. The day that she left for town, the children thought she would never come back because she was gone all day, but when they saw the wagon coming home they were delighted knowing that she was returning to them for good.
Bibliography:
MacLachlan, P. (1985). Sarah, Plain and Tall. New York, NY: Harper Collins Publishers.
Impressions:
I loved reading this book. Many times when I look at the collection in the library, I would come across this book but never had the time to read because I would always look for books that are familiar and popular. But as I read through it, I read it with teary eyes because although it had a sad storyline, the author turned the story around by creating a beautiful character that accepted this man's offer for a mother to his young children, and a wife for himself. Sarah never found time to think about herself, giving up everything that she loved. Moving to a place and meeting people she never even knew. Sarah was such a strong individual, knew what she was getting her self into and especially what she wanted. If it was me, I don't think I would have answered the ad, especially knowing that this man have two young children. I wouldn't leave the home that I love, the things that I have for a farm, but Sarah but different. She gave up everything to go and meet this man and his children, what a sacrifice this young lady made. I loved how the children accepted her too, especially the man. Showing her everything and giving her respect is what I believe helped Sarah make her final choice.
Profession Review:
| School Library Journal
( May 01, 2002; 9780694526024 ) |
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| Gr 3-6-Glenn Close narrates Patricia MacLachlan's beautiful novels on this fine audio collection. Sarah, Plain and Tall tells the story of Sarah, who came from Maine to answer Jacob's advertisement for a wife and mother, all from the point of view of young Anna. The classic story continues in Skylark, as Anna and her brother, Caleb, must travel with their new mother, Sarah, to Maine when a terrible drought threatens their home. Caleb picks up the story several years later in Caleb's Story, telling of the return of his grandfather, who had abandoned the family when Caleb's father was a young boy. Close, who played the role of Sarah in the Hallmark Hall of Fame production of the first book, creates distinct voices for each character without ever resorting to theatrics. Anna and Caleb's voices mature as listeners progress through the stories, and Close's carefully unobtrusive narration showcases MacLachlan's simple yet poetic words. An interview with Patricia MacLachlan at the end of the collection gives students more information about the author's life and writing process, and about the real-life inspiration for Sarah. A beautiful collusion of an excellent story with a perfect narrator, and a treat for all listeners.-Kathleen Kelly MacMillan, Maryland School for the Deaf, Columbia (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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(c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. Review: Use in Library Setting: This book will be used in the library as buddy pairs. With a poster board, children will partner up and use half of the paper and create a farm with supplies that they will be getting from the librarian. They will use the other half of the paper and create a scene of the Sea using the supplies that they receive from the librarian. Image from: |
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