Cover of Sarah, Plain and Tall

Sarah, Plain and Tall

by Patricia MacLachlan · 1985

Sarah, Plain and Tall seriesbook 1 of 5Next:Skylark(1994) →

+ Want to read

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

Read more

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. Sarah, Plain and Tall gently explores themes of abandonment, loss and love.

Genre
historical fictionhistorical fictionMore like thisLess of thisliterary fictionliterary fictionMore like thisLess of thisromanceromanceMore like thisLess of this
Themes
childhoodchildhoodMore like thisLess of this
Subject
historyhistoryMore like thisLess of this
Audience
childrensyoung adultmiddle grade
Length
short · 64 pages

Click a tag to see books like this one that share it. Point at it (on a phone, tap it) for less of it instead.

Read it? Sign in to help tag it.

BuyAmazonGoogle Books

BorrowOpen LibraryA library near you

MoreCompare pricesHardcover

Liked Sarah, Plain and Tall? Here’s where I’d start.

These suit anyone who liked Sarah, Plain and Tall. Sign in and mark a few books for picks shaped around your own taste.

  1. Caddie Woodlawn Carol Ryrie Brink · 1935 Shares childrens, newbery, young adult
  2. The Whipping Boy Sid Fleischman · 1986 Shares childrens, newbery, classics
  3. ...And Now Miguel Joseph Krumgold · 1952 Shares newbery, childrens, newbery medal
  4. Shiloh Phyllis Reynolds Naylor · 1991 Shares childrens, newbery, classics
See more recommendations →

“People who read Sarah, Plain and Tall tend to reach for these next.”

  1. The Courage of Sarah Noble Alice Dalgliesh · 1954
  2. The Matchlock Gun Walter D. Edmonds · 1941
  3. Good Masters! Sweet Ladies!: Voices from a Medieval Village Laura Amy Schlitz · 2007
  4. Hitty, Her First Hundred Years Rachel Field · 1929

“If you want more of the same (historical fiction about childhood), start with these.”

  1. Freddy To The Rescue Dietlof Reiche · 2000
  2. Depend On Katie John Mary Calhoun · 1961
  3. Freckle Juice Judy Blume · 1978
  4. Betsy's Little Star Carolyn Haywood · 1950

“If it was the newbery that hooked you, try one of these.”

  1. Dear Mr. Henshaw Beverly Cleary · 1983
  2. From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler E.L. Konigsburg · 1967
  3. Sounder William H. Armstrong · 1969
  4. Maniac Magee Jerry Spinelli · 1990

“These start from a similar idea, even if they go somewhere else with it.”

  1. Inside Laura's Little House: The Little House on the Prairie Treasury Carolyn Strom Collins, Christina Wyss Eriksson · 1998
  2. Darling Cassidy Tracey Victoria Bateman, Tracey Bateman · 2000
  3. The Story of the Ingalls William Anderson · 1971
  4. Santa Comes to Little House Laura Ingalls Wilder · 2001

Report a problem