"Sarah Plain and Tall" by Patricia MacLachlan

APA Citation:

MacLachlan, S. (1985). Sarah,plain and tall. N.Y.,
       N.Y.: Harper- Collins Publishers.

Summary:

(Newberry Book)

Exposition:  The story begins with two young children remembering their deceased mother.  They long to hear her sing.  They also realize that their fathe has stopped singing and smiling.  He is lonely without her also.

Conflict: The young children and their father need to have the void of their mother/wife filled.  The children are worried that their father will never find someone who will be willing to be a part of their family.

Rising Action: The children's father tells his children that he wrote a letter looking for a new wife.  His neighbor Matthew did that and found himself a good wife, Maggie.  The father reads a letter written to him from Sarah.  She tells the family that she may be interested in moving to the country and becoming a part of their family.  She arrives and bonds with them.  She is a free spirit and very independent. 

Climax:  Sarah tells the family she has to go into town but does not say why. The children fear she is planning to leave them permanently because she misses her home.  But they soon hear the sound of the horses and smiles come to their faces when they see Sarah returning. 

Resolution:  Sarah tells the children she went into town for some blue, green and gray crayons to add the colors of the sea to the pictures she had colored.  That would satisfy her homesickness.  She knows that she would miss her new family more than she would miss the colors of the sea at her old home. The children are happy because now they know there will be a wedding in the summer and their family will be whole again.

Literary Elements:

     Theme:  Patricia MacLachlan clearly shows her readers that home is where one's heart is.  Sarah missed her old home and family.  But the kindness and love that the children gave her warmed her heart.  Her soon to be new husband also accepted Sarah's independence.  Her new family and neighbor showed Sarah that she could love them and her new home.

     Foreshadowing:  MacLachlan provides doomed foreshadowing, making the readers believe that Sarah is planning to leave her new family.  First, their is a dark storm that comes their way. Then, Sarah wants to learn to ride the wagon.  She also wants to go into town by herself.  The childen see her looking into the lonely distance as if she longed for her old home. All these details creates suspense for the reader.  Will she really leave them?  The question keeps the reader flipping the pages of the book.

My Rating:  Thumbs up!