Genre Category: Historical Fiction
Age Range: Ages 7 to 12
Source: Newbery medal, 1986
Assessment of the book’s quality: Written in short chapters, in a clear and non-fancy language, appropriate for its age group. It is a short, simple and humble novel for younger children is a history lesson in disguise which gives children a glimpse into the past, in a simple and uncomplicated manner.
Assessment of the book’s potential use: The book can be used for pleasure reading and most importantly it can be used to encourage reluctant and struggling readers to read and enjoy chapter books.
Assessment of the book’s potential use: The book can be used for pleasure reading and most importantly it can be used to encourage reluctant and struggling readers to read and enjoy chapter books.
Assessment of the book’s child appeal: Appealing for children who like family stories, who have experienced a loss in the family(i.e. lost a parent) or have friends who have experienced such loss. The book is also appealing to kids who want to read about how people lived during the time when there were still no cars and airplanes, and people had to make their own cloths. It can also be appealing for children who are struggling or reluctant readers.
Summary:
Sarah Plain and Tall takes place in the late 19th and early 20th century, in a rural area on the prairie and is the story of a nice and loving family that has lived a great loss. The story is written in Anna’s voice – a twelve year old girl who lives with her sever year old brother, Caleb and father, Jacob, on the prairie. Their mother died at childbirth, when delivering Caleb. The book begins with Caleb asking Anna a question about his mother which he asks over and over again. Through asking this question about his mother, Caleb wants to create her image in his mind, to learn as much as he can about her, because he was only a day old when she died. Anna, on the other hand, remembers and misses her mother and this is how she expresses life after her mother died: “And then the days seemed long and dark like winter days, even though it wasn’t winter. And Papa didn’t sing.” The reader is also informed how hard it was for Anna to love Caleb, although she very much cares for him now, because she considered him the reason for her mother’s dead. Their father, Jacob, puts an ad in the paper to find a wife and a mother for the children. Soon he gets a response from Sarah from Maine. After a dozen or so letter correspondence between Sarah and the children, she arrives and is to be one to fill the emptiness in their hearts and the silence in their home. But the children are constantly scared that Sarah might not like them or their house, or their father and might leave them, leaving them yet with another big loss.
Reaction and Impressions:
This short, simple and humble novel for younger children is a history lesson in disguise which gives children a glimpse into the past, in a simple and uncomplicated manner. Through this book children will learn about how people lived their life during this time. They will learn that people made their own cloths (instead of buying them ready-made, as Sarah wore plain cloths made by herself), used a plow pulled by a donkey to turn the fields, and how important farm animals were for families during this period. It also talks about the role of the children in the household and its chores, how they had to do chores around the farm to help their parents. For example, they have to get up and help milk the cows, feed the animals, cook and maintain the house.
It leaves children with valuable lessons and questions to ask: why does Sarah come all the way from Maine to live with this strange family and why are the children constantly worried that Sarah may leave them. It also teaches its young readers that there are always possibilities of new beginnings and that one should never loose hope; as Sarah becomes a new beginning for the family. Another important central theme valuable for young readers is the emphasis and the importance of family, which is presented as a nurturing, loving and a safe place, even though there may be natural disasters and loses.
Summary:
Sarah Plain and Tall takes place in the late 19th and early 20th century, in a rural area on the prairie and is the story of a nice and loving family that has lived a great loss. The story is written in Anna’s voice – a twelve year old girl who lives with her sever year old brother, Caleb and father, Jacob, on the prairie. Their mother died at childbirth, when delivering Caleb. The book begins with Caleb asking Anna a question about his mother which he asks over and over again. Through asking this question about his mother, Caleb wants to create her image in his mind, to learn as much as he can about her, because he was only a day old when she died. Anna, on the other hand, remembers and misses her mother and this is how she expresses life after her mother died: “And then the days seemed long and dark like winter days, even though it wasn’t winter. And Papa didn’t sing.” The reader is also informed how hard it was for Anna to love Caleb, although she very much cares for him now, because she considered him the reason for her mother’s dead. Their father, Jacob, puts an ad in the paper to find a wife and a mother for the children. Soon he gets a response from Sarah from Maine. After a dozen or so letter correspondence between Sarah and the children, she arrives and is to be one to fill the emptiness in their hearts and the silence in their home. But the children are constantly scared that Sarah might not like them or their house, or their father and might leave them, leaving them yet with another big loss.
Reaction and Impressions:
This short, simple and humble novel for younger children is a history lesson in disguise which gives children a glimpse into the past, in a simple and uncomplicated manner. Through this book children will learn about how people lived their life during this time. They will learn that people made their own cloths (instead of buying them ready-made, as Sarah wore plain cloths made by herself), used a plow pulled by a donkey to turn the fields, and how important farm animals were for families during this period. It also talks about the role of the children in the household and its chores, how they had to do chores around the farm to help their parents. For example, they have to get up and help milk the cows, feed the animals, cook and maintain the house.
It leaves children with valuable lessons and questions to ask: why does Sarah come all the way from Maine to live with this strange family and why are the children constantly worried that Sarah may leave them. It also teaches its young readers that there are always possibilities of new beginnings and that one should never loose hope; as Sarah becomes a new beginning for the family. Another important central theme valuable for young readers is the emphasis and the importance of family, which is presented as a nurturing, loving and a safe place, even though there may be natural disasters and loses.
“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.” _ School Library Journal
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