Author: Patricia Maclachlan
Title: Sarah, Plain and Tall
Illustrator: Patricia MacLachlan
Publisher: HarperCollins Publisher Inc.
Year: 1985
Genre: Newbery
Format: Paper back
Reading level: Self-extending/Advanced
Interest Level: Elementary, middle school, some high school
Topics: Relationships, death, family
Summary: This book is about two children who lose their mother at a very young age. Their father is devastated because he just lost the love of his life. The family learns to adapt to a life without a mother around the house. The family of three still feels like something is missing. Jacob, the father of the house decides to put an ad in the paper for a housewife. The ad is answered and a woman named Sarah joins the family. Sarah is plain and tall and has a cat named Seal. She misses her old family in Maine but learns to love the two children and their wonderful father Jacob. Sarah ends up staying with her new family on the farm.
Extension Activity: Have kids pick out two of their favorite characters from the book. Have the kids draw what they think the characters look like and then write five sentences describing each of the characters they chose. They can then share with a partner.
