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Sarah, Plain and Tall book cover
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Ages 7+1-min guideFamilyHistory

Sarah, Plain and Tall

by Patricia MacLachlan
Good fitA great fit for most kids 7 and up. Short, quiet and lovely. The children’s mother died before the story.
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What it’s about

Anna and Caleb’s father puts an ad in the paper for a wife. Sarah comes from Maine to their prairie farm for a month, and the children hope she will stay.

The ending

What might come up

Death and lossA littleThe children’s mother died after Caleb was born.
Big feelingsSomeWanting a family.
ViolenceNone
LanguageNone
RomanceA littleA gentle romance.

Why kids like it

Short enough to read in one sitting.

Free printable quiz

  1. 1
    Where does Sarah come from?
  2. 2
    What does Sarah miss?
  3. 3
    Who are the children?
  4. 4
    What does Sarah bring back from town?

Read it, then watch it

Read the book first, then watch it together and talk about what changed.

Sarah, Plain and Tall
1991Not rated

Hallmark TV movie.

If they liked this

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Parents also ask

Quick answers

Most kids can read it on their own from about age 7. As a read-aloud, it works from about age 6.