Reading Rams Summer I, 2014 discussion

This book is always a good read. I enjoyed it that much better this time around. I still find it funny that Papa put an ad in the paper for a wife and to have someone respond is bizarre. Then again, I remember back in the 90s there were similar ads then as well. (I always thought it was bizarre then too)
Sarah wrote a letter to each of them and that made things more hopeful for a happy ending.
Sarah just seemed like that missing piece of Papa, Caleb and Anna's family. She was the perfect addition to their family. She cooked, cleaned, farmed and she sung... not to mention she was a carpenter so she was able to be a "helpmate" to papa when he fixed the roof before the storm. Even though I knew how the story ended I kept thinking, I hope Sarah doesn't leave and go back home. I hope she stays and make them her family. Sarah was amazing, she wanted to learn everything she needed to know to make a life with Papa, Caleb and Anna. Caleb often asked about his mom and he truly missed what he was needing "a mother". Sarah filled in the gap for what the family needed.
Everytime I read this story I enjoy it. Some of the language is funny, he went to go "fetch" Sarah. Student's will not understand that terminology, especially those from the city. I wish that Sarah could have taken her new family back to Maine so that the kids could enjoy the sea. I loved how Sarah explained herself as plain and tall with a yellow bonnet.
Imagine how far we have come, we don't have to ride in wagons and horses now and I am pretty sure now with technology Sarah would be able to have the sea at her house. (digitally) :)
Always a good read.

I have never read Sarah, Plain, and Tall, but have heard so much about it. However, I was expecting something more. The story itself was slightly problematic, but the sentence structure is the main issue for me. I can see how this might be helpful for a new, or struggling, reader, but I did not enjoy the choppiness of the sentences. They were very short and at times, the description seemed to be random thoughts jotted down by the author. I know that this story may be an easy read for students who are struggling, but I do not appreciate the fact that it introduces very little high level vocabulary.
I was watching the movie “The Princess Bride” a few weeks ago. There is a point where a character goes on a rant and uses the word putrescence. I commented to my sister that this is the reason we have such great vocabularies. These are the types of words introduced to us through children’s movies. There seems to be movement to, in my opinion, dumb down the language in books, movies and television shows designed for children. It frustrates me in so many ways. How do you expect our children and students to have an expanded vocabulary without exposing them to words? Many people will argue that it is because they will not understand them. As a young child, I did not understand the meaning of putrescence, but I was able to infer the meaning through context clues. Did I know this vocabulary as a ten-year-old, no? However, since I was motivated to know the meaning of the word, I figured it out. If we expect our students to figure out the meaning, and we put them in a context where they are motivated to find it out, they will have a chance to utilize the strategies they have in their arsenal.
The character of Sarah is also an annoyance in this story. I am not sure if the author was trying to foreshadow, or teach us about Maine, but the amount of times Sarah says, “In Maine, …” was a little frustrating to me. As an adult, I am reading and thinking to myself, “Who cares about Maine? You have got these great kids who are excited to have you in their life and you are whining!” Also, she is the one that chose to move there in the first place! So, not one of my favorite books so far, but at least now I can say I have read it.

Shanay wrote: "This book is always a good read. I enjoyed it that much better this time around. I still find it funny that Papa put an ad in the paper for a wife and to have someone respond is bizarre. Then again..."

Shanay- I agree that the ad for a wife was bizarre. Depending on the age of the students reading the book, it might cause quite a discussion. It is not something most children would understand or relate to, and some background knowledge would definitely need to be built. I liked that Sarah was a strong female character, but I liked little else about this book. Part of it could be because I am reading it as an adult, rather than a child. Unfortunately, I did not enjoy it.

Cynthia wrote: "I have never read Sarah, Plain, and Tall, but have heard so much about it. However, I was expecting something more. The story itself was slightly problematic, but the sentence structure is the ma..."

You are correct, the book is very simple with little to no vocabulary. I do believe it will be an easy read for struggling readers or a younger age group. Keep in mind, Sarah hadn't been outside of Maine so that's all she knew. I find adults today doing that. I totally understand how she feels and I agree with you she should've just enjoyed the time with the kids and not dwell so much on Main. (but then there would be no suspicion that maybe she's going to leave and move back) I believe that part of the story was to have the reader wonder if Sarah would stay or not.

I read Sarah, Plain and Tall many years ago and remember watching the movie. I recall Sarah running through a field of hay billowing in the wind. The hay reminded her of ocean waves and home. I think I would like to do some research on mail order brides. I tend to think of marriage relationships today being not as long lasting as they were in the past, but, on the other hand, because of all the work that had to be done on farms and the children that needed to be raised, people got married for very practical reasons instead of romantic ones. I wonder if needing someone for a practical reason helps us be more committed compelling us to be more agreeable to working things out. Also, people didn’t live in as close proximity to one another as today so choices were somewhat limited, and of course, eHarmony didn’t exist yet, so one might choose a good person instead of searching for that perfect “soul mate.”
Sarah was an educated woman. I think it was very wise of her to write everyone in the family to get to know them. Even though one month is a relatively short time to base a life decision on, traveling so far away from your home in that day and age was a very brave thing to do. As a single woman, Sarah was used to being independent. I like the line in Chapter 8 where Anna writes, “In the morning, Sarah dressed in a pair of overalls and went to the barn to have an argument with Papa.”
Caleb, never having known his own mother, is enamored with Sarah and desperately wants her to stay with the family. He hangs on to every word she says trying to interpret its underlying meaning. Will she stay or won’t she? As children do, when he thinks she won’t stay, he blames it on himself. I think Sarah was very unselfish to stay with Caleb, Anna, and Papa. She had seen so much more of the world than they. She did not want to be in the way of her brother and new sister-in-law, and I think she desired a family of her own. This is expressed in the line where she says, “I will always miss my old home, but the truth of it is I would miss you more.”

Shanay and Cynthia - Your posts mention placing an ad in the paper for a wife as being a "bizarre" thing to do. During this time period in history of settling the United States, there weren't a lot of women traveling out west, so ordering brides by mail was a common thing to do, hence the term, mail-order bride.
The term "fetch" is cultural to the time period and the people using it. (I think my age and culture are about to make themselves known.) The characters in "The Beverly Hill Billies," a show my family enjoyed watching when I was growing up, are always "fetching" something.

Cynthia - I don't think Sarah is whining about Maine. I think she is comparing Maine to Ohio. (They are in Ohio, right?) Sarah had lived her entire life in Maine and the family had lived their entire lives in Ohio. This would be a major change in Sarah's life. Living on the East Coast most likely provided more contact with civilization than a farm located in the middle of America. If she decided to stay with the family, she would be making the larger sacrifice. It's a decision that needed to be made with your eyes open.

V. wrote: "I read Sarah, Plain and Tall many years ago and remember watching the movie. I recall Sarah running through a field of hay billowing in the wind. The hay reminded her of ocean waves and home. I..."
Valerie,
I loved that line when she stated that she will always miss her home but she will miss them more, meaning they have filled a void that can not be replaced. This of course meant she was in it for the long haul. I believe today's time and technology makes it way too easy for families to be broken up and divorces to occur. Yes, Valerie now with social sites like eHarmony etc. it makes it easier for a husband or wife to cheat and move on. I guess eHarmony is the equivalent to the newspaper ads.

I have not ever read this book. I liked it. Papa has placed an ad in the newspaper for a wife. He realizes that his children need a mother figure in their lives and he needs companionship. I wonder if he would have done that if the neighbor had not also done that. They all wrote Sarah a letter and she replied to each of them. Each letter reveals something about Sarah. In Anna's, she writes that she can braid hair, cook, what her favorite colors are, and she sends a book about sea birds. Anna is probably wondering if she can do things that a mother would do. In Caleb's letter, Sarah writes of her cat. Caleb is interested in animals and having a fire at night to stay warm. Caleb is also worried that she won't be happy in the house. The response to Papa's letter is that she will come. Sarah also lets them know that she can sing which is something that Mama had done. After Sarah arrives, she and Caleb have a conversation. I thought it interesting that Caleb said "We don't have the sea" and she replied "No. There is no sea here. But the land rolls a little like the sea." She is already missing home. Sarah has to learn about the local plants and animals. In return, she shares about plants and animals in Maine. During her trial period, she has a chance to meet the neighbor and his mail order bride. Maggie and Sarah spend time talking. Maggie shares things with Sarah to help her adjust to living in a new place. For example, Maggie shares flowers so Sarah can have a garden. Sarah wonders if some of the flowers from Maine would grow. Maggie tells her to try it, she must have a garden. I think that was Maggie's way of letting Sarah know that living there would be different but she could still have reminders of Maine. Also, I think Maggie was trying to tell her that she would adjust to living there and could be happy. Sarah asks to be taught how to ride a horse and drive the wagon. Papa agrees to teach her, but there is a storm coming. He has roof repairs to make which Sarah helps with. Sarah does possess skills that are helpful living in the country. After the storm, Sarah makes a trip to town by herself. Anna and Caleb are afraid she won't return. But she does, with map pencils that are blue, gray and green. I think that symbolizes her acceptance of staying. She misses Maine, but she likes the family. I think the book ends sort of abruptly. I wanted to read about the wedding and maybe about what life was like for Sarah after marrying Papa. But that did not happen. Sarah was courageous to respond to Papa's ad for a wife and even more courageous to travel there and then stay. She may have been plain and tall, but she was strong and committed.

Cynthia wrote: "I have never read Sarah, Plain, and Tall, but have heard so much about it. However, I was expecting something more. The story itself was slightly problematic, but the sentence structure is the ma..."

I agree about the vocabulary being simple. Today we do have children with much more advanced vocabulary. I think Sarah kept referring to Maine to teach the children about the likenesses and differences of living in two different areas of the country. Perhaps in sharing about Maine, she was trying to adjust herself to living in a new place.

V. wrote: "I read Sarah, Plain and Tall many years ago and remember watching the movie. I recall Sarah running through a field of hay billowing in the wind. The hay reminded her of ocean waves and home. I..."

People during the time period portrayed in the book were more likely to marry for practical reasons. Living on a farm is hard work. I had an aunt and uncle that lived on a farm. There is always work to be done. I had the chance to help pick produce. One of the most memorable is dewberries. They have large thorns. It made me appreciate the dewberry cobbler we would get when we visited. I am not sure I would have been very successful living on a farm. However, I do have lots of wonderful memories from time spent there.

Jennifer wrote: "Cynthia wrote: "I have never read Sarah, Plain, and Tall, but have heard so much about it. However, I was expecting something more. The story itself was slightly problematic, but the sentence str..."

From my posts, it is obvious that I am a fan of Sarah so I really like your last line in the post above, "She may have been plain and tall, but she was strong and committed."

Jennifer wrote: "I have not ever read this book. I liked it. Papa has placed an ad in the newspaper for a wife. He realizes that his children need a mother figure in their lives and he needs companionship. I wo..."

Though I was not a fan of this book, I do recognize that Sarah was a strong and courageous woman. I appreciated the fact that she wanted to learn how to drive the carriage and helped Papa out on the farm. You put it beautifully when you stated that she "may have been plain and tall, but she was strong and committed."

I can remember reading Sarah, Plain and Tall when I was in elementary school. As a student, I remember enjoying the story and the unit my teacher did with the book. Now as I reread it I am reminded of the great simple story that it is. I think the title of the book fits it very well. I love the story. I think the author does a great job of telling the story about a family finding a new beginning. The author does a wonderful job of portraying the dynamics of this family and why the need a mother's touch. I think her writing helps younger students understand the importance of Sarah. There are many different ways you could use this book in most grade levels. I think you could create many writing prompts from the story. It could also be used as a supplement to another lesson pertaining to the time period.

Jennifer wrote: "I have not ever read this book. I liked it. Papa has placed an ad in the newspaper for a wife. He realizes that his children need a mother figure in their lives and he needs companionship. I wo..."

I agree. I wish we could know more about their story. But I believe there are other books about the characters. I've never read them though. It would be nice to know how their lives turned out.

Shanay wrote: "This book is always a good read. I enjoyed it that much better this time around. I still find it funny that Papa put an ad in the paper for a wife and to have someone respond is bizarre. Then again..."

I liked how you mention how far we have come in technology. I could see using this story in a high school classroom and have them compare it to things now a days. Like instead of placing an ad in the paper for a wife, people just get online. :) But I think all grade levels could do different compare and contrast lessons with this book.

Cynthia wrote: "I have never read Sarah, Plain, and Tall, but have heard so much about it. However, I was expecting something more. The story itself was slightly problematic, but the sentence structure is the ma..."

I felt that this story was simply written and the plot was over simplified because of the perspective that it was written from. But sometimes simple writing can be beautiful. I think that Sarah Plain and Tall is an example of simple writing that evokes very strong and concrete imagery. This kind of writing pulls in readers of all ages.

The imagery is especially important in this book because it is about more than a marriage or about the kids getting a mother. It is about two distinctly different places coming together to form one home.
To me this imagery is the best part of the book.

I do not think Sarah is whining about her new home. First of all she was forced out of her old house so she needed to marry in order to have a place to live. Secondly at this time people are much more tied to the land and nature around them, so for her to move is for her to sacrifice some of her identity. She really impressed me in her ability to find the images she loved from Maine on the farm. The author did a great job of creating these images: the three hens representing the aunts, the hay pile representing the sand dunes, the dog representing the barking seals, and the swaying tall grass in the storm representing the sea.

I think that this story could of been a very sad story about a woman forced to leave her home to try and fill the place of wife and mother that died. However, the author fills the story with beautiful imagery and simple characters who are willing to accept change.

Sarah, Plain and Tall is a good book. I had totally forgotten about this book. I liked it when I was younger, but I forgot what it was about. I like Sarah more than I remember, since I think originally I was mostly focused on Anna. It is hard for me to accept the whole mail order bride thing but I do understand why Sarah left Maine. Sarah did not want to bother her brother and his new wife. Sometimes I wish all family members thought like Sarah did.  I do not think that she had to leave her house in Maine just because her brother was getting married. I guess she left because this book takes place in a different time period. I would find it very hard to move to the middle of nowhere, not know anyone, and live there with an unknown family. My heart hurts for Caleb and Anna. It is so sad that Caleb never met his mother and doesn’t know how she was or what she sounded like. I do not know what is harder never meeting your mother or meeting her and losing her. I think Anna is a great sister. She loves Caleb and does not blame him for her mother’s death. I am glad the book takes a positive turn with their dad also loving Caleb. Some fathers can blame the child after losing a significant other and those cases are the saddest. I am glad that Sarah decides to stay and the four characters form a new family. Every time the book mentions Sarah missing the sea I wondered if she would leave. Kids are naturally curious and it is easy to see why they were so worried Sarah would leave.

Shanay wrote: "Even though I knew how the story ended I kept thinking, I hope Sarah doesn't leave and go back home. I hope she stays and make them her family."

I have read the book before also but I found myself doing the same thing. I kept hoping Sarah would stay with the family.

V wrote: " Even though one month is a relatively short time to base a life decision on, traveling so far away from your home in that day and age was a very brave thing to do. As a single woman, Sarah was used to being independent. "

V, I agree that Sarah had to be very brave to do what she did. I do not think I would do the same if I was in her shoes. I would definitely need more time and information.

Marshall wrote: "Cynthia wrote: "I have never read Sarah, Plain, and Tall, but have heard so much about it. However, I was expecting something more. The story itself was slightly problematic, but the sentence str..."

Very well written post Marshall.

Shanay wrote: "This book is always a good read. I enjoyed it that much better this time around. I still find it funny that Papa put an ad in the paper for a wife and to have someone respond is bizarre. Then again..."

Your "imagine life back then" comment reminded me that while we were camping this past weekend I kept looking around and telling my husband things like, "Years ago the whole land looked just like that and you would have to clear you a little space and build a home from the wood!" or while horseback riding, "Can you even imagine being alive when this was the ONLY form of transportation?!" I'm not ashamed to say I would have not survived that era....
These days that kind of lifestyle is very hard to visualize and comprehend. It is much harder to 'get into character' with some of time period novels.

Jennifer wrote: "I have not ever read this book. I liked it. Papa has placed an ad in the newspaper for a wife. He realizes that his children need a mother figure in their lives and he needs companionship. I wo..."

She may have been plain and tall, but she was strong and committed.
She sure was!
A step parent situation can be tricky as is but moving to a new place and learning a new way of life while getting to know your new family that is at first perfect strangers... Wow. That is brave. It is a hard thing for me to wrap my head around (although my husband grew up very differently than I and we seem to make it work- ha ha).

Jenna wrote: "Shanay wrote: "This book is always a good read. I enjoyed it that much better this time around. I still find it funny that Papa put an ad in the paper for a wife and to have someone respond is biza..."

Oh, Jenna! My husband and I were driving our son back to DFW Sunday night. Hwy 121 now has the upper and lower road system and everything is quite a mess. I said, "You know, my dad told me his mother used to live in the Lewisville Area. Can you imagine her coming back and seeing it today? She wouldn't recognize it at all." Then, we talked about how it's hard for us to recognize it from just a few months ago. Of course, horse and wagon were transportation for my grandmother when she was a young girl.

Sarah made sacrifices for this family and that alone makes her a true wife and mother. She put their happiness first and adapted her needs to accommodate her new life on the prairie. I don't think it has as much to do with the times they lived in... it would be hard to be married and move away from family and the life you knew even now. The mail order bride part on the other hand...
This book depicts life in the 19th century so students may feel a little removed from it. However, when you break it down, it is a story about a blended family and how many students these days can't relate to that in one way or another?

Jenna wrote: "Sarah made sacrifices for this family and that alone makes her a true wife and mother. She put their happiness first and adapted her needs to accommodate her new life on the prairie. I don't think ..."

Your comment about blended families reminded me of what I didn't explain very well in my initial post. I think blended families in the age of the pioneer days might rival the amount of blended families today. The reason I say this is that many women died during childbirth, men were killed in accidents, or Indian skirmishes, etc. Men needed women to raise any children left behind by a deceased spouse and women did not have the career opportunities they have today so they needed economic support. And again, the nation was not very populated yet. If anyone nearby was single and you both needed a spouse, you probably got married to meet the practical needs of every day life.

I really enjoy this book. There are so many topics that you can cover in this book and it is a fun story. Not only does the book show history and geography, but it also talks about how quickly a families life can change. I also like how the character of Sarah is a mystery for most of the story. It isn't till the children realize that she is staying that you truly see who she is and how she feels. This book made me feel that I was in the story and I really just sat in bed and read the whole book without stopping. I had read this story a long time ago but remembered nothing. I am very glad that I have read it again.

V. wrote: "I read Sarah, Plain and Tall many years ago and remember watching the movie. I recall Sarah running through a field of hay billowing in the wind. The hay reminded her of ocean waves and home. I..."
I had no idea there was a movie. Now I need to watch it. I also felt great about Sarah writing the whole family. In today's world step parents usually do not meet the kids for awhile in the relationship. It seems like something strange to bring someone new into a kids life but it was necessary at this time.

Maira wrote: "Sarah, Plain and Tall is a good book. I had totally forgotten about this book. I liked it when I was younger, but I forgot what it was about. I like Sarah more than I remember, since I think origin..."

I did not think about relating to Anna more when I read this book as a kid. Now as I think about it I see that I was more focused on the adults this time around. It gives you a different perspective to realize who you are focused on.

At least right now: Sarah, Plain and Tall - I'm over it. It is a good read, a sweet story. There's real pain and insecurity, real life choices and courage. I do have many memories of reading this one as a kid, but it's not one of my favorites. And I don't have much to back that up. This is a good book for the time period and also for descriptive language. It is simple language, but Sarah paints some lovely verbal pictures that I enjoyed rereading.

Maira wrote: "Sarah, Plain and Tall is a good book. I had totally forgotten about this book. I liked it when I was younger, but I forgot what it was about. I like Sarah more than I remember, since I think origin..."

And I think kids could find this very relatable in a step-family situation.

Rochelle wrote: "I can remember reading Sarah, Plain and Tall when I was in elementary school. As a student, I remember enjoying the story and the unit my teacher did with the book. Now as I reread it I am reminded..."

Yes, I think there are many writing prompt opportunities here.

Sarah, Plain and Tall is a reread for me. I have seen the movies and was surprised that I still enjoyed the simple presentation in the book.
I appreciated the author using letter writing to help us grow our anticipation as we await the arrival of Sarah. There were several learning prompts I thought of as I read.

Students could identify and discuss the differences of technology and communication between the story's setting and our current lives. Comparing and contrasting geographical setting also could be easily analyzed. A question to spark conversation is why did Jacob and Matthew have to send away for wives? Where were the single women in their community if any? I also appreciated the authenticity of each of the characters. I can hear Caleb's rattling of questions to Anna and feel his relief as he cries in Sarah's gown when she returns. When Anna goes to the barn and cries, "Why?" in response to Sarah's desire to learn to drive the wagon in order to go into town alone, you identify with her emotion. The story overall was heartfelt. I felt that I was pulled into the story and was hopeful of the outcome for each character. It also made me want to sing a song. Maybe that could also be implemented in the classroom.

Mandy wrote: "I really enjoy this book. There are so many topics that you can cover in this book and it is a fun story. Not only does the book show history and geography, but it also talks about how quickly a fa..."
Mandy I agree with you. The story does pull you in. The author help us make an emotional connection.

Jenna wrote: "Sarah made sacrifices for this family and that alone makes her a true wife and mother. She put their happiness first and adapted her needs to accommodate her new life on the prairie. I don't think ..."

Jenna wrote: "Sarah made sacrifices for this family and that alone makes her a true wife and mother. She put their happiness first and adapted her needs to accommodate her new life on the prairie. I don't think ..."

Maira wrote: "Sarah, Plain and Tall is a good book. I had totally forgotten about this book. I liked it when I was younger, but I forgot what it was about. I like Sarah more than I remember, since I think ori

Mandy, I didn't think about the idea of blended family. That is a great avenue to help students relate to story.

Cynthia wrote: "Shanay wrote: "This book is always a good read. I enjoyed it that much better this time around. I still find it funny that Papa put an ad in the paper for a wife and to have someone respond is biza..."

I found it bizarre that Papa put an add in the paper too! And that Sarah took a big chance, leaving home and family for something unknown!
Strong lady! Courageous!

"Sarah, Plain and Tall" is a story about people learning to live together and become a family simply because they've grown to love each other. It is also about seeing both new things with old eyes and old things with new eyes. The reader will enjoy this short, joy-filled period in the lives of these characters, whether they are learning how to swim, sliding down haystacks, or tossing cut hair to birds.
Patricia MacLachlan uses very simple language, which only highlights her poet's gift of saying volumes and painting landscapes with a few well-chosen words. The images in the novel are as potent as images in poetry, even though everything is in prose. Every last word is meaningful.