Category Archives: Patricia MacLachlan

Comprehension Questions – Sarah, Plain and Tall Series #3 Caleb’s Story

Caleb's Story

by Patricia MacLachlan

Grades 2-6; Genre - Fiction; GRL R; AR pts. 2.0

The stranger lurking on the Witting family's prairie farm turns out to be their long-lost grandfather, whose presence, plus prodding from Caleb, forces Jacob to deal with his past.

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Who’s telling the story? How do you know? Caleb; the journal entry at the beginning is his p.3
  2. Where’s Anna going? To work in town, she’s a nurse p.7

Chapter 2

  1. Predict who the old man is? Listen to your child’s answer
  2. Should Sarah have let him into the house? Listen to your child’s answer

Chapter 3

  1. Why did John want to play hide and seek with Cassie? To distract her so she wouldn’t stare at the man p.25

Chapter 4

  1. Who is the man and why is Jacob shocked to see him? Jacob’s father; he was told he was dead p.35

Chapter 5

  1. Why is Jacob upset to see his father? He left their family when he was young and never came back p.44

Chapter 6

  1. Why was grandfather upset with Sarah? She found out about his pills and said they would take him to the doctor in town p.57

Chapter 7

  1. Why did Sarah warn Anna to be careful? She didn’t want her to get sick with the influenza that was spreading p.68
  2. Why didn’t Grandfather ever want to read? He didn’t know how p.72

Chapter 8

  1. What was the result of Cassie’s comment at dinner? Jacob and his father pushed each other around and Jacob got hurt p.81

Chapter 9

  1. What does it mean to set a bone? To line it up the broken bone so it can heal straight p.83

Chapter 10

  1. Why is it important for Jacob to forgive his father? So, he won’t be angry anymore p.99

Chapter 11

  1. How did Sarah get stuck in the snow? There was a bad snow storm and she tried to follow the rope, but it broke p.106

Chapter 12

  1. How could Jacob forgive his father? By sharing his own feelings as well as listening and understanding his father’s; by letting go of his pride p.112

Comprehension Questions – Sarah, Plain and Tall Series #2 Skylark

Skylark

by Patricia MacLachlan

This book mentions skinny dipping.

Grades 2-6; Genre - Fiction; GRL R; AR pts. 1.0

Maine was beautiful, but Anna missed home, and Papa. And as the weeks went by, she began to wonder what would happen if the rains never came. Would she and Caleb and Sarah and Papa ever be a family again?

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Describe what is happening at the beginning of this book. Papa, Sarah, Anna and Caleb are getting a family picture taken; the land is in a drought; Caleb is worried Sarah’s going to leave; Papa said no matter how bad it gets they won’t ever leave p.3

Chapter 2

  1. Explain in your own words what Sarah meant on page 13. Some people can express more when they write than when they speak
  2. Do you write in a journal? What do you like to write about? Listen to your child’s answer

Chapter 3

  1. What is Sarah thinking when she sadly and thoughtfully said, “I am surrounded by motherhood”? She wants to have a baby p.16

Chapter 4

  1. Why didn’t Sarah want to read her aunt’s letter out loud? It talks of rain and green grass; Anna’s family is still in a drought and she didn’t want to make Papa feel stressed p.25

Chapter 5

  1. Why did Maggie get upset with Sarah in the store? Sarah doesn’t understand how hard it is to pack up and leave due to the drought p.31

Chapter 6

  1. What did Caleb see in the field and were they able to take care of it? A fire; yes they put it out p.35

Chapter 7

  1. What do you think Sarah day dreamed about if it’s not Maine? Having a baby p.41
  2. How does Sarah really feel about living there? She hates it p.44

Chapter 8

  1. Describe Sarah’s birthday party. The neighbors all came; there was music and dancing; lemonade and food; Anna gave Sarah a book she had written p.51

Chapter 9

  1. Why was it decided Sarah would take the children to Maine? Another fire burned down the barn and they have to travel further for water; it was getting too dangerous p.60

Chapter 10

  1. Summarize this chapter. It tells of the journey to Maine and how Sarah’s aunts showered them with love when they arrived p.62

Chapter 11

  1. Predict what you think will happen. Is Maine going to be their new home? Listen to your child’s answer

Chapter 12

  1. Which two birds was Sarah compared to in this chapter? Why? Skylark for singing and prairie lark that hasn’t come to earth p.80

Chapter 13

  1. Why do you think Anna wasn’t able to answer Caleb when he asked if they would see Papa again? She didn’t know if or when they would p.88

Chapter 14

  1. What good news did Papa and Sarah share in this chapter? Sarah was having a baby in the spring p.93

Chapter 15

  1. What was significant about Sarah writing her name in the dirt? It meant she was ready to come to earth and call the prairie her home p.96

Comprehension Questions – Sarah, Plain and Tall Series #1 Sarah, Plain and Tall

Sarah, Plain and Tall

by Patricia MacLachlan

Grades 3-5; Genre - Historical Fiction; GRL R; AR pts. 1.0

In this loving story of a motherless family, a tall, plain woman comes to stay with them.

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. How does this story begin? 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 p.3
  2. Who is telling this story? Anna

Chapter 2

  1. Why did Caleb read Sarah’s letters repeatedly? He was excited at the prospect of having a mother and liked what Sarah said p.12

Chapter 3

  1. Why does Anna think Sarah wouldn’t like living on the prairie? It’s very different than living by the ocean; dusty and dry; no ocean or beach; away from her home p.20

Chapter 4

  1. What’s the significance of the words Caleb is pointing out that Sarah is saying? Sarah is using terminology that imply she’s staying longer than a month; he’s hoping she stays and marries his pa p.24

Chapter 5

  1. How did pa help Sarah feel at home in this chapter? He gave her a dune to slide down in the barn, like the dune by the ocean p.31

Chapter 6

  1. What did Sarah teach the children in this chapter? How to swim p.36
  2. Is Sarah being a good mother to them? Why, or why not? Listen to your child’s answer. 

Chapter 7

  1. Give two examples of how Maggie is a good friend to Sarah. 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 p.40

Chapter 8

  1. What type of storm did the family experience in this chapter? A tornado p.47
  2. Why were the children happy when they saw their father hold Sarah like he had their mother? Their father was beginning to show love to Sarah; they wanted her to be their mom p.49

Chapter 9

  1. Why was Caleb so bothered that Sarah wanted to go into town by herself? He was worried she’d leave them and not come back p.52
  2. How does this story end? 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 p.57