Discussion Guide and Activities for Sarah, Plain and Tall

The younger girls and I are studying American history this year and are preparing to read Sarah, Plain and Tall as our literature book. I love using fiction to read about historical time periods.

About Sarah, Plain and Tall

Sarah, Plain and Tall by Patricia MacLachlan is set in the pioneer days of American history. The reading and comprehension level is probably 5th-6th grade and up. The story is told from Anna’s point of view. Young Anna lives on the prairie with her Papa and brother Caleb. Her mama died, and Papa needs a wife and mother for his children. He sends an advertisement for a bride in the newspaper, and Sarah comes to live with the family. The book explores Anna’s feelings as she adapts to this new woman who will never replace her mother. Throughout the book is woven information about life on the American prairie and the indomitable spirit of the American pioneers.

Talking points

If you’ve been around the blog for a while, you’ll know I love, love, love to read aloud and have great discussions. Sarah, Plain and Tall has some good talking points.

• How do think Anna felt when her father advertised in the newspaper for a new wife?
• Do you think it is right for a man to get a wife by advertising for one? Why or why not?
• Why do you think Sarah answered the ad and agreed to come out West?
• Why was it easier for Caleb, the younger brother to come to like Sarah?
• Discuss the hardships that the early pioneers had on the prairie.
• How would you feel if you were Sarah, setting out on a journey to live in a strange place with strange people?
• How can you see God at work in the lives of the characters of the story?

Activities to accompany Sarah, Plain and Tall

• Slideshow of Maine, Sarah’s home state
• Slideshow of Kansas, Anna’s home
• Complete a Venn diagram to show the similarities and contrasts of the two states. Education world has a free Venn diagram you can print.
• This site lists vocabulary words, questions and an enrichment activity for each chapter.
• The Scholastic website suggests several enrichment activities that include creative writing and mapping.
• Read about a prairie. This site includes pictures of some plants found on the prairie.
• Sarah lived near the ocean and came to live on the prairie. Use this compare and contrast chart to see the similarities and differences between the two habitats.

I’m looking forward to using Sarah, Plain and Tall with the girls. I’ve read the book before and know that I really enjoyed  it. I look forward to sharing it and discussing it with the girls.