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
- 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
- Who is telling this story? Anna
Chapter 2
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- What did Sarah teach the children in this chapter? How to swim p.36
- Is Sarah being a good mother to them? Why, or why not? Listen to your child’s answer.
Chapter 7
- 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
- What type of storm did the family experience in this chapter? A tornado p.47
- 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
- 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
- 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