About
In this loving story of a motherless family, a tall, plain woman comes to stay with them.
Read one section at a time, then discuss the questions to review understanding. These questions are a starting place for conversation, not a complete test of the chapter.
Chapter 1
Comprehension questions
How does this story begin?
Page 3 — Anna is telling Caleb about their mother who died the day after he was born; their pa said he put an advertisement in the paper for a wife and got a response
3
Who is telling this story?
Anna
Chapter 2
Comprehension questions
Why did Caleb read Sarah’s letters repeatedly?
Page 12 — He was excited at the prospect of having a mother and liked what Sarah said
12
Chapter 3
Comprehension questions
Why does Anna think Sarah wouldn’t like living on the prairie?
Page 20 — It’s very different than living by the ocean; dusty and dry; no ocean or beach; away from her home
20
Chapter 4
Comprehension questions
What’s the significance of the words Caleb is pointing out that Sarah is saying?
Page 24 — Sarah is using terminology that imply she’s staying longer than a month; he’s hoping she stays and marries his pa
24
Chapter 5
Comprehension questions
How did pa help Sarah feel at home in this chapter?
Page 31 — He gave her a dune to slide down in the barn, like the dune by the ocean
31
Chapter 6
Comprehension questions
What did Sarah teach the children in this chapter?
Page 36 — How to swim
36
Is Sarah being a good mother to them? Why, or why not?
Listen to your child’s answer.
Chapter 7
Comprehension questions
Give two examples of how Maggie is a good friend to Sarah.
Page 40 — She helped Sarah know that she wasn’t alone; brought her flowers to plant and chickens to eat; helped her understand she needed to learn to drive a wagon
40
Chapter 8
Comprehension questions
What type of storm did the family experience in this chapter?
Page 47 — A tornado
47
Why were the children happy when they saw their father hold Sarah like he had their mother?
Page 49 — Their father was beginning to show love to Sarah; they wanted her to be their mom
49
Chapter 9
Comprehension questions
Why was Caleb so bothered that Sarah wanted to go into town by herself?
Page 52 — He was worried she’d leave them and not come back
52
How does this story end?
Page 57 — Sarah went to town and came back with three colored pencils, candles, flower seeds, and a book of songs to teach them; she marries their father
57
Downloads
All the book’s resources, or just the ones you need, ready to read or print.
Worksheets
Practice sheets with space to write your answers.
Download one reading section
A small printout with all the resources for the selected section.
