Sarah Plain and Tall by Sarah MacLachlan

Sarah, Plain and Tall
Recommended for Grades 2-4
Book Summary: Sarah, Plain and Tall

Caleb and Anna live with their papa in a small house on the prairie. Their mother
died giving birth to Caleb and their father hasnt sung since. One day their father tells them that
he has put an advertisement in the newspaper for a wife and someone has written in response.
She will come and visit to see if they will suit and the children desperately want her to like them
more than she loves the sea off the coast of Maine, where she is originally from.
[SPOILER] The children are convinced that Sarah is planning to leave when she insists on
learning how to drive the wagon. She drives into town and they dont think she will be back, but
she returns. She went into town so she could buy colored pencils to finish her drawing of the sea.
She says that she misses the sea, but she would miss them more. Finally, the children can relax,
knowing they are going to be a real family.
Author Biography: Sarah MacLachlan

Sarah MacLachlan was born in Cheyenne, Wyoming in 1938. She grew up in
Minnesota and was an only child. She had a strong relationship with her parents and an active
imagination. She spent much of her childhood reading, often bringing the stories to life by acting
them out with her parents.
She earned her B.A. from the University of Connecticut in 1962. She married and had
three children. It wasnt until she was thirty-five and married with children that she began to
write. She began by writing picture books, often focusing on difficult topics. Later, she began
writing books for a slightly older audience. In 1986, Sarah MacLachlan received the Newbery
Medal for her most famous book, Sarah, Plain and Tall. Since winning this prestigious award,
she has written several other books, all of which have been highly praised.
Oswego Campus
32 W Jefferson Street
Oswego, IL 60543
www.oswego.lib.il.us
Montgomery Campus
1111 Reading Drive
Montgomery, IL 60538
(630) 978-1272
Sarah, Plain and Tall

Recommended for Grades 2-4
Discussion Questions: Sarah, Plain and Tall

1. Can you imagine being a mail-order bride? Why do you think someone would be willing
to do this? What would be the benefits of being a mail-order bride? What would be the
negatives? Does anything like this exist today?
2. In the beginning of the story, it seems as though Anna blames Caleb for the death of their
mother (p. 5) Why do you think she feels this way? Is it fair of her to feel like this? Why or
why not?
3. Why do you think it was important to Anna and Caleb that Sarah sings (p. 10)? What do
you think singing signifies to them?
4. Imagine you are Anna and you have spent your life working hard to take care of your
brother and father since your mother died. How would you feel about someone new
marrying your father? Do you think it is the same today when a parent marries someone
new?
5. Sarah brings things from the sea and draws pictures of the sea and other things she misses.
Do you think it is good for her to have so many reminders of her old home, or would it be
better for her to try to forget it and start over on the prairie? Why do you think so?
6. Sarahs neighbor Maggie says, There are always things to miss. No matter where you
are. (p. 40) Is this true? Why or why not? What would you miss most if you suddenly
moved across the country?
7. Sarahs neighbor Maggie also says, You must have a garden. Wherever you are. Why
would having a garden be important? Does a garden symbolize anything other than what it
actually is? What? Do you agree with the idea that you must have a garden? Why or why
not?
8. Why is it so important to Sarah that she learns to drive the wagon by herself? (p. 44) Why
do you think the children dont want her to learn? Are they being fair? Why or why not?
9. When Sarah goes into town, the children think she is leaving them because they werent
perfect enough (p. 54) Are they right? Why or why not? Do children today ever worry
about things like that? When? Have you ever worried that you werent good enough? What
did you do about it?
Oswego Campus
32 W Jefferson Street
Oswego, IL 60543
www.oswego.lib.il.us
Montgomery Campus
1111 Reading Drive
Montgomery, IL 60538
(630) 978-1272

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Sarah, Plain and Tall

Recommended for Grades 2-4

Book Summary: Sarah, Plain and Tall

Author Biography: Sarah MacLachlan

Sarah, Plain and Tall

Discussion Questions: Sarah, Plain and Tall

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