A family of three without a mother or wife lives in Kansas in the early 20th century. The mother of Anna and Caleb dies with the birth of Caleb and their father and family is rocked completely. With little to no laughter or joy in their lives in the aftershock, their father sends for a mail-order bride. Sarah arrives from the northeastern coast of Maine to try out being a wife and mother to the grieving family. The four of them learn through trials and miscommunication that love can transcend boundaries if you're willing to break them down and open up your heart again. As the story progresses, Sarah misses her home in Maine and the family in Kansas finds they need her more than they thought possible. The four of them take deep, inward looks at their real hearts' desires and decide that family is most important in life.
MacLachlan, P. (1985). Sarah, plain and tall. New York, NY: HarperCollins.
Review: School Library Journal
A book that is filled with wisdom, gentle humor, and the practical concerns necessary for a satisfying life. Terse writing and poetic rhythm flow to create a tender story about the fragile beginnings of a family relationship on its way to permanence. Mama died at Caleb's birth, and Papa has not sung since. When a request for a mail-order bride brings a response from a woman from Maine, both Anna (who tells the story) and Caleb want to know if she sings. Sarah arrives for a trial period, and the children and their father wonder if Sarah will miss her family and the sea to much to stay with them. The characters emerge through dialogue, Sarah's letters and the family's responses to her. Through a simple sentence or phrase, aspects of each character's personality--strength, stubbornness, a sense of humor--are brought to light. Refreshingly, this novel portrays children as receptive to the love, nurturing and attention that a step-parent can offer--and the willingness to return the affection. Throughout the story, MacLachlan weaves in the colors of the prairie as the seasons pass. Readers will hold their breaths with Anna and Caleb, wondering if indeed Sarah will stay, and breathe a sigh of relief when she does. A short but moving book that is anything but plain--for those who prefer quality to quantity.
Jones, T. (1985). Sarah, plain and tall. School Library Journal, 31(9), 92.
My Impressions:
Sarah, Plain and Tall is a timeless tale and deserves the Newbery Award it won. While the story takes place in a version of society that is time-specific, it doesn't really effect the story because the elements of their surroundings are, for the most part, peripheral. The story is about a blended, new family and the ability of humans to rally together and grow through difficult times and trials when they open their hearts to one another and learn to trust each other. There is a voice and character in the story for everyone. Each role of the four main people in the story bring a different perspective to the situation and each of them has to learn to appreciate the differences in the others so they can make a cooperative, loving life together.
Library Use:
Sarah, Plain and Tall could be used as part of a diversity in family exercise with students in the library or co-taught with the school counselors. Families may look different and include people not related to you. It is important for students to understand that family requires compromise and sacrifice for the good of everyone. This could be attached to a challenge to the students to vocalize their gratitude over Thanksgiving Break to the people in their lives they consider family.
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