Sarah, Plain And Tall

Name: Sarah, Plain And Tall
ISBN: 9780061441998

by Patricia Maclachian

In the late 19th-century Midwest, a widowed farmer and his two children, Anna and Caleb, seek a new mother. Sarah Wheaton arrives from Maine, bringing both the scent of the sea and the promise of a ne

About This Book

Patricia MacLachlan's Newbery Medal-winning novel, Sarah, Plain and Tall, is a tender story set in the late 19th-century American Midwest. It follows the Witting family, a widowed farmer Jacob and his two children, Anna and Caleb, who are still grieving the loss of their mother. When Sarah Wheaton, a spirited woman from Maine, answers Jacob's advertisement for a mail-order bride, she arrives for a trial month, bringing a new dynamic to their quiet prairie home. The book explores themes of loneliness, abandonment, coping with change, and the formation of new family bonds, all through the eyes of young Anna. It's a gentle yet profound exploration of love, acceptance, and finding where you truly belong.

Concepts

Loneliness & Belonging Sadness & Grief Resilience & Perseverance Love & Family Empathy & Kindness Self-Confidence & Identity Fear & Bravery Joy & Gratitude Curiosity & Wonder Friendship & Loyalty Death of a Loved One Making Friends Being Different Growing Up Sibling Rivalry Cultural Identity Family & Siblings Friendship & Social

Heads up, parents

separation_from_parent

sadness_grief

Discussion Prompts

How do Anna and Caleb feel about their mother who passed away? How do they show their feelings?

What are some ways Sarah is different from the Witting family? How do these differences make the family stronger?

Why do Caleb and Anna worry that Sarah might leave? What helps them feel better?

What does 'home' mean to Sarah? What does it mean to Anna and Caleb?

How does Sarah show courage and kindness throughout the story?

If you were Anna or Caleb, what questions would you ask Sarah when she first arrived?