Summary
Sarah, Plain and Tall, written by Patricia MacLachlan in 1985, is a beloved children's novel. Winner of the Newbery Medal, it explores themes of family, love, and resilience against the backdrop of the American frontier. The story's enduring popularity led to a successful 1991 television film adaptation starring Glenn Close and Christopher Walken, which garnered nine Primetime Emmy Award nominations, as well as a stage adaptation and four sequels.
Plot
Set in the late 19th-century Midwest, Sarah, Plain and Tall tells the story of a widowed farmer named Jacob Witting and his two children, Anna and Caleb. Struggling to manage the farm and care for his children alone, Jacob places an advertisement for a mail-order bride. Sarah Wheaton, a woman from Maine, responds to the ad and agrees to visit for a month to see if she might stay and marry Jacob.
As Sarah arrives, she brings gifts from the sea and introduces new life into the quiet household. Anna, the older child, is initially wary of Sarah, while Caleb is excited and hopeful that she will stay. Throughout her visit, Sarah learns about farm life and forms bonds with the family. However, her longing for the sea causes concern for the children, who worry she might leave.
The story reaches its climax when Sarah takes a solo trip to town, causing Anna and Caleb to fear she might not return. To their relief, Sarah comes back, expressing that while she misses the sea, she would miss the Wittings more if she left. The novel concludes with Anna revealing that Jacob and Sarah are soon married, bringing a new chapter to their family's life on the prairie.
Themes
Adapting to change and new circumstances
Loneliness and the need for companionship
Family bonds and creating new family units
Acceptance and belonging in a new environment
Coping with loss and grief
The contrast between rural prairie life and coastal living
Hope and perseverance in the face of challenges
Setting
Set in the late 19th century, Sarah, Plain and Tall takes place on a prairie farm, where the Witting family faces the challenges of rural life in an era of pioneering spirit and agricultural dependence. This setting reflects the harsh realities and simple joys of frontier living, providing a vivid snapshot of a pivotal time in American history.
The novel's broader geographical context spans from the rugged coastline of Maine to the vast, open plains of the Midwest. Sarah's journey from her seaside home to the landlocked farm symbolizes the westward migration that characterized much of 19th-century America. The stark contrast between these two landscapes—the crashing waves of the Atlantic and the endless sea of grass—plays a crucial role in Sarah's adjustment to her new life.
Within this expansive setting, the Witting farm serves as the primary location for the story's events. The farmhouse, barn, and surrounding fields become the stage for the family's daily life and the unfolding drama of Sarah's arrival. The nearby town, though not extensively featured, provides a connection to the wider world and serves as a reminder of the isolated nature of frontier living. This carefully crafted setting not only provides historical context but also serves as a metaphor for the emotional landscape of the characters as they navigate love, loss, and new beginnings.
Characters
Sarah Wheaton: A young woman from Maine who answers Jacob's advertisement for a wife. She is plain-spoken, independent, and brings new life to the Witting family.
Jacob Witting: A widowed farmer in the Midwest who places an ad for a mail-order bride. He is a loving father struggling to raise his children alone.
Anna Witting: Jacob's daughter and the narrator of the story. She is initially wary of Sarah but grows to love her.
Caleb Witting: Jacob's young son, who is excited about Sarah's arrival. He constantly worries that she might leave them.
Matthew: The Wittings' neighbor who found his wife through a similar advertisement.
Maggie: Matthew's wife, who becomes friends with Sarah.
William: Sarah's brother in Maine, who is mentioned but does not appear in the story.
Quick facts
Patricia MacLachlan wrote Sarah, Plain and Tall in just two weeks while living in New England.
The story was inspired by MacLachlan's great-aunt, who was a mail-order bride in the late 19th century.
The book won the Newbery Medal in 1986, along with the Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction and the Golden Kite Award.
At just 58 pages long, Sarah, Plain and Tall is one of the shortest Newbery Medal-winning books ever.
MacLachlan wrote four sequels to this beloved novel, following the Witting family's story over several years.
MacLachlan often receives letters and drawings from young readers who love the story.
The novel is frequently used in classrooms to teach about family, acceptance, and historical fiction.
Karen Cushman, another Newbery Medal-winning author, calls Sarah, Plain and Tall “a nearly perfect book” and her favorite Newbery winner.
Glenn Close starred as Sarah in the 1991 TV movie adaptation, which received nine Emmy nominations.
A one-act children's musical based on the book was performed Off-Broadway in 2002.
The Audible audiobook version is performed by Glenn Close.
About the Author
Patricia MacLachlan was an acclaimed American author best known for her Newbery Medal-winning novel Sarah, Plain and Tall. Throughout her career spanning over four decades, MacLachlan wrote more than 60 children's books, including beloved titles like Skylark, Caleb's Story, and Three Names. Her works often explored themes of family, belonging, and the importance of place.
Born in 1938 in rural Wyoming, MacLachlan began writing at age 35, after her children started school. Her first book, The Sick Day, was published in 1979. She drew inspiration from her prairie roots, often carrying a small bag of prairie dirt as a reminder of her origins. In addition to her literary achievements, MacLachlan contributed to the adaptation of her works for television. She served as a screenwriter for the TV movie version of Sarah, Plain and Tall, starring Glenn Close and Christopher Walken.
Dedicated to children's literature as an advocate as well as an author, MacLachlan served as a board member of the National Children's Book and Literacy Alliance. In 2002, she received the National Humanities Medal for her contributions to the field. Her final years were spent in western Massachusetts, where she continued to write and collaborate with her daughter on picture books. Patricia MacLachlan passed away on March 31, 2022, at the age of 84, leaving behind a legacy of timeless stories that continue to captivate readers of all ages.
