Sarah, Plain and Tall

This beloved Newbery Medal–winning book is the first of five books in Patricia MacLachlan's chapter book series about the Witting family.

Set in the late nineteenth century and told from young Anna's point of view, Sarah, Plain and Tall tells the story of how Sarah Elisabeth Wheaton comes from Maine to the prairie to answer Papa's advertisement for a wife and mother. Before Sarah arrives, Anna and her younger brother Caleb wait and wonder. Will Sarah be nice? Will she sing? Will she stay?

This children's literature classic is perfect for fans of Laura Ingalls Wilder's Little House on the Prairie books, historical fiction, and timeless stories using rich and beautiful language, and it's a strong choice for independent reading. Sarah, Plain and Tall gently explores themes of abandonment, loss, and love.

This anniversary edition includes author Patricia MacLachlan's Newbery speech, a discussion guide, and a reading list.

Read the rest of the Sarah books by Patricia MacLachlan: Skylark, Caleb’s Story, More Perfect than the Moon, and Grandfather’s Dance.

What happens when a woman who loves the sea comes to a family who needs her on the prairie?
A Mail-Order Bride Story: Answering an advertisement, Sarah leaves her beloved home in Maine for a new life—and a new family—on the wide-open prairie.Finding a New Family: Young Anna and Caleb have a thousand questions about the woman who might become their new mother. Will she be nice? Will she sing? And most importantly, will she stay?Sea Meets Prairie: Sarah brings a seashell that holds the sound of the ocean, but can she learn to love a place where the land rolls on forever and there is no sea?Gentle Lessons on Love and Loss: A tender and beautifully written chapter book that explores how a family heals after losing a mother and learns to love again.