Sarah, Plain and Tall by Patricia MacLachlan

Chapters 1-2 Caleb and Anna’s mama died the day after Caleb was born   Chapters 1-2 Caleb and Anna’s mama died the day after Caleb was born. Their mama and papa used to sing every day. Papa doesn’t sing anymore. Caleb and Anna wished they had a mother.

Papa wrote in the newspaper asking for a wife Papa wrote in the newspaper asking for a wife. A woman named Sarah wrote him a letter. She lived by the sea. She wanted to be his wife and the children’s mother. Caleb and Anna wished they had a mother.

Sarah wrote that she was plain and tall. Anna and Caleb wrote her back Sarah wrote that she was plain and tall. Anna and Caleb wrote her back. Anna asked if Sarah could braid hair. Caleb asked if she snored. Sarah decided to stay with them for a month in the country. Caleb and Anna wished they had a mother.  

Chapters 3-4 Sarah arrived in a wagon. She brought her cat Chapters 3-4 Sarah arrived in a wagon. She brought her cat. Sarah brought seashells for Caleb and Anna. They picked flowers together. Sarah talked about her brother, the fisherman. The children were happy to meet Sarah.  

The children had sheep on their farm. Sarah wanted to pet them The children had sheep on their farm. Sarah wanted to pet them. Sarah had seals by the sea. Caleb and Anna wished that they could pet seals. The children were happy to meet Sarah.

Chapters 5-6 Sarah told the children about the sand dunes in Maine Chapters 5-6 Sarah told the children about the sand dunes in Maine. She used to slide down the dunes with her brother. Papa made a dune out of hay. Everyone slid down the pile of hay. Sarah and the children had fun together.

It was a hot summer day. Sarah swam in the pond It was a hot summer day. Sarah swam in the pond. She taught the children how to float on their backs. Sarah and the children had fun together.

Chapters 7-9 Sarah was lonely. She missed the sea and her family Chapters 7-9 Sarah was lonely. She missed the sea and her family. The neighbors brought chickens and plants. Sarah kept the chickens as pets. She started a garden. The garden reminded her of home. Sarah started to like the country.

Sarah wanted to visit the neighbors Sarah wanted to visit the neighbors. She needed to drive the wagon to visit them. She had to wait to learn because a storm was coming. Sarah, papa, and the children stayed the night in the barn. They watched the storm from the window. Sarah and papa looked like mama and papa. Sarah started to like the country.

After the storm, Sarah learned how to drive the wagon After the storm, Sarah learned how to drive the wagon. The children thought Sarah was going to drive away and leave them. They started to cry. Sarah said goodbye to papa and the children. She drove into town. Sarah came back with presents. She didn’t want to leave them. Sarah, papa, and the children became a family. Sarah started to like the country.

The End