| Booktalk
#1
Jacob lives on the prairie
with his children. His wife had died years before when Caleb was born.
Jacob decides that the children need a new mother. But how do you find
a wife when you live on the prairie in the 1800's? A common practice is
to place an ad in the newspapers back east and find a mail order bride.
This is just what Jacob decides to do. One lady who writes back is from
Maine. She tells Jacob that she is quite tall and not very pretty. She's
just plain and tall. They write several times and then he invites her to
visit. She agrees and decides to spend the summer. The children come to
love Sarah but Jacob is not very friendly. Sarah misses the ocean terribly.
When Sarah goes to town by herself, Jacob and the children are afraid that
she has decided to return to Maine. Jacob realizes how much he cares for
her. Will he be able to tell Sarah or will she return to Maine?
Booktalk #2
"Tell them I sing." Sarah writes
at the bottom of her letter to Jacob. Sarah has agreed to stay with Jacob
and his family for a visit after answering his advertisement. But, will
she embrace their company or be overcome by homesickness for her brother
and the sea? Sarah Plain and Tall is the historical fiction book written
by Patricia MacLachian, whose own family history is the basis for this
story. (Carrie Hollenback, cl-hollenback@wiu.edu, college student)
Booktalk #3
The death of Anna and Caleb's
mother has left them devastated and lonely. Papa is now forced to raise
his children on his own. The children long to have a mother figure in their
lives, and Papa wishes to meet another woman. Papa places an advertisement
in the paper in hope to find a new wife to be the mother to Anna and Caleb.
A lady named Sarah responds to the advertisement, and she is willing to
travel to meet Papa and his children. Will Sarah like Papa when she meets
him? Will Anna and Caleb finally have a mother to care for them? "Sarah,
Plain and Tall" is a historical fiction book written by Patricia MacLachlan.
Read the book to find out what happens! (Jessica Fabiano, j-fabiano@wiu.edu,
college student)
Booktalk #4
A young family living in the
rolling hills of the mid-west is missing one thing, a wife and mother.
Mr. Jacob Witting informs his children he has placed an ad in the paper
for a wife, he continues to reach into his pocket and unfold a letter he
has received in response. Caleb and Anna listen with excitement as
they hear the word of Sara read by their father. Individually the
family and Sarah send letters back and forth describing their lives and
themselves. Sarah chooses to visit them to see what life would be
like without her beloved brother and the ocean she so much adores.
Sarah is a wonderful addition to the household, but she is still so sad
to be far away from her home. She begins to take on chores and is
adamant that she learn to ride a horse and that she learn to drive the
wagon. The day has finally come. Sarah now knows how to drive the
wagon and insists she go to town, alone. The children are afraid
she will choose to return to the ocean she so much adores. Night
is beginning to fall and they still wait for her return.
This book wonderfully depicts
the sense of family and courage of a young woman traveling to a life unknown.
The adventures and new experiences of life on the farm are a challenge
to Sarah. What will she choose ? A life by the ocean that she so dearly
loves, or a life with a young family in the rolling hills? (Stacey,
K-12 student) |
