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Sarah, Plain and Tall
Sarah, Plain and Tall | Patricia MacLachlan
47 posts | 149 read | 9 to read
"Did Mama sing every day?" Caleb asks his sister Anna. "Every-single-day," she answers. "Papa sang, too." Their mother died the day after Caleb was born. Their house on the prairie is quiet now, and Papa doesn't sing anymore. Then Papa puts an ad in the paper, asking for a wife, and he receives a letter from one Sarah Elisabeth Wheaton, of Maine. Papa, Anna, and Caleb write back. Caleb asks if she sings. Sarah decides to come for a month. She writes Papa: I will come by train. I will wear a yellow bonnet. I am plain and tall, and Tell them I sing. Anna and Caleb wait and wonder. Will Sarah be nice? Will she like them? Will she stay?
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olivia.d
Sarah, Plain and Tall | Patricia MacLachlan

“I will come back. I will always come back.”

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olivia.d
Sarah, Plain and Tall | Patricia MacLachlan

I may use this book if it aligns with our curriculum and the topic for the week

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olivia.d
Sarah, Plain and Tall | Patricia MacLachlan
Mehso-so

This was an interesting book and I liked how it was told from the daughters POV. I thought the themes were important and it was well done

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AvidReader25
Sarah, Plain and Tall | Patricia MacLachlan
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Pickpick

This was a beautiful reminder that the power of a story is not dependent upon length. In just over 50 pages you're right there with two motherless children feeling their loneliness and desperation for someone to complete their family. We meet Sarah & with her strength and her memories of the Maine sea we fall in love with her.

BOTTOM LINE: Just a beautiful story, crafted to give a glimpse into history while delivering an emotional punch.

DivineDiana A heartwarming book. ❤️ 2y
AnnR This is a wonderful story. I enjoyed reading the entire series in 2022. 2y
Tamra This series is all the 💙💙💙! I highly recommend the film adaptation too with Glenn Close & Christopher Walken. Can‘t beat that combo. 2y
AvidReader25 @Ann_Reads @DivineDiana It‘s so lovely! We‘ve already started the second book. 2y
AvidReader25 @Tamra I remember watching the film when I was young! I‘d love to find somewhere to watch it now with my kids. 2y
40 likes1 stack add5 comments
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elisebarker
Sarah, Plain and Tall | Patricia MacLachlan
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Pickpick

I have loved this book since I was little. It was the first time I was introduced to the name Caleb-and I‘m pregnant with my very own Caleb now ♥️

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IamIamIam
Sarah, Plain and Tall | Patricia MacLachlan
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Pickpick

Listened to this sweet little read on my way home from work. I remember the tv movie & Glenn Close did a wonderful job narrating the book. Life on the plains must have been really difficult and I recall seeing an exhibit at Jamestown about how women were just brought in as wives. Sarah finds herself in a position to help out and potentially marry Anna & Caleb's father after their mother passed after giving birth. 💗

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bio_chem06
Sarah, Plain and Tall | Patricia MacLachlan
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#Movie2BookRecs #glennclose 24. These were my favorite books and movies when I was young. I don‘t know how they hold up, but I just don‘t see myself rereading or rewatching because I choose to keep it in my mind the way it was.

Klou It's best to leave childhood movies like that though isn't it 3y
7 likes1 comment
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Michael_Gee
Sarah, Plain and Tall | Patricia MacLachlan

There are always things to miss, no matter where you are.

16 likes1 stack add
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Michael_Gee
Sarah, Plain and Tall | Patricia MacLachlan
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Curled up with this as the storm rolls in.

Hung out with a friend last night who sent me home with this, one of her favorite childhood books. We swap horror novels regularly, but I also love getting glimpses of this other side, too.

21 likes2 stack adds
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ahoffkosik
Sarah, Plain and Tall | Patricia MacLachlan
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The new episode of my podcast about Sarah, Plain and Tall takes us from a general conversation about childhood reading (Accelerated Reader, anyone?) to an examination of beautiful writing to a deep dive into white supremacy and historical revisionism to a brief history lesson about marriage habits of Americans on the prairie to a conversation about power and agency for women. Author Olivia Cole joins me! Link to listen in bio.

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Tattooedteacher
Sarah, Plain and Tall | Patricia MacLachlan
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Day 20 #oppositeday Prompt: Short

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks 📚🙌🏻❤️ 4y
TheKidUpstairs Oh how I love 4y
49 likes2 comments
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megnews
Sarah, Plain and Tall | Patricia MacLachlan
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Pickpick

I‘ve had this on my tbr forever. Finally listened to audio. A quiet, sweet book. Looking forward to the rest of the series.

SaturnDoo ❤❤ I read this series again just a few years ago. I hope you enjoy them as much as I did. 4y
MargaretPinardAuthor Yay for quiet and sweet. Sometimes that is just the escapism we need, not more hyperidealized competitive life. ☺️ 4y
megnews @MargaretPinardAuthor yes, it was just what I needed! 4y
sblbooks Same here. I've had it on my TBR, as long as I can remember. 4y
56 likes4 comments
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Hannacallaham
Sarah, Plain and Tall | Patricia MacLachlan
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Pickpick

This book is such a great read for older elementary kids! It is a historical fiction book and a Newberry winner novel! It really gives a great story of a family dynamic and is filled with such wisdom. Such a sweet and tear jerking tale for kids. I would use an independent reading strategy because I think it would be great for students to read on their own and really dive into!

Hannacallaham For my esol strategies I would use 3. Encourage self-talk and 30. Encourage the use of diagrams and drawings as aids to identify concepts and seeing relationships. For my UDL I would use 7.1 optimize individual choice and autonomy and 9.3 develop self-assessment and reflection 5y
rather_be_reading used to love this when I was a child! 5y
4 likes3 comments
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BayouGirl85
Sarah, Plain and Tall | Patricia MacLachlan
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Pickpick

I picked this book for a book challenge that needed a book that was published the year I was born. It melted my heart. It was so sweet and innocent.

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MaggieCarr
Sarah, Plain and Tall | Patricia MacLachlan
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Pickpick

Expand Your Horizons 2020: Reread a book you read as a child.

I shared Sarah, Plain and Tall with my daughter. I enjoyed memories of reading it around her age and continuing on with the rest of the series.

"I didn't like it because of the tornadoes and also because Caleb's mother died right after Caleb was born. But I did like that they all worked together." -Cadee, age 7

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Sace
Sarah, Plain and Tall | Patricia MacLachlan
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#friyayintro @howjessreads
1. That was the first book that popped into my head (and now I want to reread it.)
2. 🤔 That's a good question....ability to fly?
3. ♓
4. Avoid people/stay home and read
5. 👍

MidnightBookGirl I have not read the tagged book since grade school! But I did love it, so maybe it's time to revisit it. 5y
Sace @MidnightBookGirl - @Blaire mentioned it a few days ago so I guess it was on my mind. I wonder if I can find my old copy. 5y
vivastory Avoiding people is always a solid plan 5y
See All 6 Comments
Sace @vivastory it's my guiding philosophy in all things. 5y
Blaire @Sace @midnightbookgirl it was such fun to reread with my son, I remember the exact copy I had and reading it at my grandfather‘s house curled up under a green and white quilt. Loved sharing it with my son. 5y
Sace @Blaire ❤️ 5y
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Tamra
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I love this screen adaption, and of the second book too. 1910 rural Kansas farm, mail order bride from seaside Maine. What could go wrong?

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Blaire
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Pickpick

Loved this book as a kid and loved sharing this quiet read with my son. We‘ve been reading a lot of Lemony Snicket and this was a nice change of pace. Caleb and Anna‘s mother has died and their dad writes a letter seeking a possible bride. Sarah arrives from Maine very much her own person and does not change to fit in, but finds her own way to belong. Strong female character. #bbrc #mg #fewerthan150pages

Sace I read that for a college class for my elementary Ed degree. I should give it a reread. 5y
LibrarianRyan Yeahhhh 5y
Tamra I love the Hallmark movie series with Glen Close. Time for a rewatch! 💜 5y
See All 8 Comments
Blaire @Tamra I didn‘t know they did a tv series, I‘ll have to see if I can find it. 5y
Blaire @Sace it was a comforting reread. 5y
Tamra @Blaire they are Hallmark movies - I rewatched the first one last night on YouTube. 5y
LibrarianRyan Yeahhh. 5y
67 likes4 stack adds8 comments
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YvetteE
Sarah, Plain and Tall | Patricia MacLachlan
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Sarah responds to a widower‘s ad for a wife, describing herself as “plain and tall.” Jacob‘s children desire for Sarah to stay and be their mother, but Sarah misses her life back home. Watch new readers get lost in Patricia MacLachlan‘s classic HF novel, which earned her a Newbery Medal. #ucflae3414fl19

YvetteE https://www.cpalms.org/Public/PreviewResourceLesson/Preview/60927
Some chapters are discussed after a close read and students are assessed after IR. Accommodations include ESOL strategy 20. List the most important words and phrases you use or plan to use in a
presentation on a transparency or on the chalkboard and UDL principle Maximize transfer and generalization (3.4)
5y
DrSpalding This is a short, classic piece of historical fiction. For many years fourth graders read this to learn about this time period In our history. Excellent use of the FLDOE website for teachers. 5y
3 likes2 comments
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AleciaM
Sarah, Plain and Tall | Patricia MacLachlan
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Pickpick

Historical Fiction Newbery Award winner Sarah, Plain and Tall by Patricia MacLachlan is a great SR. It's about a lady who comes to live with a family after answering an ad about someone looking for a wife. She soon realized that where she was is nothing like Maine where she was from but made it work because she loved the family. #UCFLAE3414F19

AleciaM I chose UDL 3.2 highlight patterns. critical features. big ideas. and relationships, and ESOL 45 use Venn diagrams to contrast and compare activities. I chose these because all through the story Sarah is comparing Maine to the prairie lands.
https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/lesson-plans/teaching-content/sarah-plain-an...
5y
Tinks Never heard of this book, but it look like an interesting read. Nice post. 5y
DrSpalding What a cool picture with an amazing artifact! This used to be a book that fourth grade teachers used every year to meet social studies standards. This is an award winner that can expose students to historical information and information about the Prairie life. 5y
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megansimon
Sarah, Plain and Tall | Patricia MacLachlan

“There is always something to miss, no matter where you are.”

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megansimon
Sarah, Plain and Tall | Patricia MacLachlan

I think the time period this book is in is interesting, so I‘m sure kids would still think that today as well. This is a great way to introduce them to that time period.

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megansimon
Sarah, Plain and Tall | Patricia MacLachlan
Pickpick

It shows a different way of life and it‘s a very interesting concept to most young kids. The language is of that time period, which is important to explain to children. It also has an interesting plot.

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jjbowenkunkler

You dont sing anymore

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jjbowenkunkler

This book was boring to me and I didn't really like the story line.

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jjbowenkunkler
Bailedbailed

Traditional literature and was written in 1985. The setting of this book in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Jacob lost his wife and only has his children and decides to put an ad in the paper for a new wife. Sarah who responds to the ad talks to the children and Jacob all the time. At the end of the book, Sarah decides to live with Jacob and the children.

jjbowenkunkler Historical fiction 6y
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Dolly
Sarah, Plain and Tall | Patricia MacLachlan
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Pickpick

I‘d never read this as a child.

A sweet little old fashioned kind of book. Great for kids or adults who need a palate cleanser. Very fast read.

sisilia Omg at first glance, I read the title as Sarah Palin 😱 6y
Dolly @sisilia LOL 😂! Yes, I see it, so close ! 6y
45 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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EliNeedsMoreShelves
Sarah, Plain and Tall | Patricia MacLachlan
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Pickpick

Finished reading this gem with the kiddos last night. Their only complaint? "I want to know more!!!"

David rating - 4/5
Sophia rating - 4.5/5

MarriedtoMrT I LOVED that book. I should revisit with my girls. 6y
28 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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DivineDiana
Sarah, Plain and Tall | Patricia MacLachlan
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Pickpick

Sarah has left the coast of Maine to move to prairies of the Midwest. She misses the sea, and has brought some shells to remind her of home. That image touched my heart. A short children‘s chapter book that is filled with love. Perfect for encouraging discussions of the loss of a parent, step parents, or moving to a new home.

Cinfhen I love this image 💙💚💙 6y
Lindy Lovely review of this understated novel, and lovely photo also. 6y
DivineDiana @Cinfhen @Lindy Thank you, dear ones. ❤️ 6y
See All 8 Comments
Tamra These are lovely books and movies! 6y
DivineDiana @Tamra I want to see the movies! 6y
Tamra @DivineDiana can‘t beat Glen Close and Christopher Walken! 6y
whatsthEStorey I just loved this book as a kid. I'm often wary of rereading childhood favorites and losing the magic, but I think I would still love this one. 6y
DivineDiana @whatsthEStorey There is so much to love in this small book. 6y
87 likes2 stack adds8 comments
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DivineDiana
Sarah, Plain and Tall | Patricia MacLachlan
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I am tutoring an ESL student, and I suggested to her that an audio book might be a good idea to help with her learning. This is the book she chose, so I checked it out of the library today too! Starting our own Book Club!

tpixie Great idea!! 6y
cariashley Oh wow, I remember reading this as a kid! 6y
BethM Wow I loved this as a kid 💗 6y
See All 16 Comments
Tamra Great choice! 6y
ValerieAndBooks Nice! This was made into TV movie wasn‘t it? 6y
rightasrain13 Wow, this just reminded me so strongly of elementary school! I remember reading this one, great choice 😊 6y
DivineDiana @tpixie Thank you! It should be fun! 😀 6y
DivineDiana @cariashley @BethM @rightasrain13 How nice that it reminded you of those early days of reading! 6y
DivineDiana @Tamra Yes, I‘m glad she chose it because I have never read it! 6y
DivineDiana @ValerieAndBooks I believe it was starring Glenn Close. Did not see it and this is my first time reading the book! 6y
BethM The movies are worth a watch too! 6y
Tamra @BethM yes! I love them. 6y
BethM @Tamra this post has made me want to try to find them on DVD! 6y
Tamra @BethM try half.com/eBay 6y
Reggie Awesome!!! 6y
DivineDiana @Reggie I am loving the experience! 6y
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Tamra
Sarah, Plain and Tall | Patricia MacLachlan
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Pickpick

Simple and sweet. I had the added benefit of seeing the movie series in my mind‘s eye while reading. I would say the movies are better for adults than the books because they add more complexity to the characters. Also, you miss the gorgeous scenery.

“Outside, the prairie reached out and touched the places where the sky came down.”

Susanita I ❤️ Glenn Close! 7y
Tamra @Susanita me too! 7y
Titania Wasn't that a Hallmark movie? I loved that movie. 7y
See All 6 Comments
Tamra @Titania I don‘t recall if it was Hallmark, probably. I highly recommend the movie series though - beautifully filmed and you can‘t beat Close and Walken as actors! It‘s great when you are in the mood for feel good movies. 7y
AJones My son and I recently read this book. It was simple and sweet. We both enjoyed it and can‘t wait to read more of MacLachlan‘s books. I haven‘t watched the 🎥. . .maybe after I complete the novel series. 💜 📚 6y
Tamra @AJones the movies are lovely! 6y
85 likes2 stack adds6 comments
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Sarahandhella
Sarah, Plain and Tall | Patricia MacLachlan
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1. Reading 📖, cleaning and laundry and going to Black Panther 🎬
2. Almost 5‘10, but I am shrinking as I get older 😟
3. Umm, it is my hometown. But this stretch has only been for a little over 3 years.
4. The Power (book) and The Heart‘s Invisible Furies (audiobook)
5. 🤳 ✅💁🏻‍♀️
#friyayintro @jesshowbooks

Jess7 Pretty eyes! 💙 7y
Jess7 Furies is amazing! Hope you love it! 💗 7y
19 likes2 comments
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MrBook
Sarah, Plain and Tall | Patricia MacLachlan
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Today's author spotlight: Patricia "Patty" MacLachlan! The 79-year-old was born in Cheyenne, Wyoming, in 1938. She graduated from the University of Connecticut. She won the 1986 Newbery Medal for the tagged book, which was adapted as a TV movie starring Glenn Close and Christopher Walken. She's a board member of the National Children's Book and Literary Alliance, a non-profit promoting literacy and libraries. #AuthorPotpourri #TheMoreYouKnow

rustoryhuf When I was living in Kansas in the early 1990s, the filming for the movie was being done in our county. I was teaching children‘s lit at the time and we were able to do a quick visit to the set. The producer also sent me some promotional items about the movie as we‘d read Sarah in class. 7y
102 likes6 stack adds1 comment
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BucklingBookshelves
Sarah, Plain and Tall | Patricia MacLachlan
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The making of something #unique. This quote is from Patricia MacLachlan‘s Newbery Medal Acceptance Speech printed at the back of the edition of Sarah, Plain and Tall I read.

#QuotsyNov17 Day 24

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readingallthetime
Sarah, Plain and Tall | Patricia MacLachlan
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From the library's bag of books for $1.00
Oldies that I couldn't resist.

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BucklingBookshelves
Sarah, Plain and Tall | Patricia MacLachlan
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Pickpick

I only read this for the first time last week, but I picked it up to re-read before starting the sequels. (It helps that it's short!) A simple and heartfelt story I'm glad to finally have read -- in large part due to @smilingshelves Newbery Challenge! #24in48

smilingshelves I just read this one a couple weeks ago, too! I hadn't read it since I was a kid. I didn't realize there were several sequels that I'm now eager to check out! 7y
BucklingBookshelves @smilingshelves I hadn't realized at first either. Practically everything is a series -- I should have known! Lol 7y
2 likes2 comments
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lauren.lerner
Sarah, Plain and Tall | Patricia MacLachlan
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Did you know there are four sequels to the incrediblely wonderful #childrenslit classic that is Sarah, Plain and Tall? Because I did not until very recently & I am thrilled that my local library had all four of them for me to borrow. 😊 Will report back on how they are; hopefully they will measure up to the standard set by the original. #libraryhaul #sundaymorningplans #planningahead #idreadthemnowbutihavetogogetmyhairdoneforaneventtonight #boo

EvieBee Nicely done! I only thought there were two books (based on the Glen Close films). 7y
silentrequiem 😲 I need to read them all!!! 7y
AJones Thank you for sharing this information. I just bought the first book at my local Goodwill for $.59. I couldn‘t pass up on this deal. My son and I are reading it together. I know I heard of this book as a child; but I don‘t think I took the time to read it. (edited) 7y
AJones I love your view in the photo! 7y
22 likes1 stack add4 comments
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LitsyFeministBookClub
Sarah, Plain and Tall | Patricia MacLachlan
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Happy birthday to Patricia MacLachlan, who turns 79 years old today! Who else loved Sarah, Plain and Tall as a kid? It was one of @BookishFeminist's favorite books growing up. MacLachlan writes about family, belonging, and sense of place. 🌾

#authorbirthdays #bookishbirthdays

haileybean I loved this book! I think it was one of the first chapter books I read independently. I was JUST thinking of it the other day too 8y
Lindy I read it as an adult. Loved it. 😊 8y
51 likes3 stack adds3 comments
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Bookworm83
Sarah, Plain and Tall | Patricia MacLachlan
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It takes a really special book for me to #reread, and this book is one of them. Reading it is like visiting an old friend from my childhood. It's a great movie, too! #booktober

Laura317 Love this story!! 8y
LauraBeth ❤️ this one 8y
59 likes7 stack adds2 comments
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Yossarian
Sarah, Plain and Tall | Patricia MacLachlan
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So, I'm sitting in the kids' section of a bookstore for my Book Group last night, and over the head of one of the participants, I think I see a book on the shelf entitled "Sarah Palin is Tall," and I think, "I guess she is. . ., but what an odd topic for a children's book!"

Maybe it's time to go see the eye doctor . . .

BookishFeminist 😳 eye doctor. Pronto. Though I can't blame you. After the last few elections this stuff is just imprinted on our brains now. I had to sit on a flight with Michele Bachmann once. I have never before considered skydiving or personal defenestration more seriously than I did that day. 8y
Alfoster Hahaha! 8y
See All 25 Comments
DGRachel 😂😂😂😂 8y
TheNextBook @Yossarian @BookishFeminist I cant! ??? why is this so damn hilarious! I cant look at her without thinking "she's the b/$!) that tried to ban Harry Potter." And other bad things. 8y
BookishFeminist @TheNextBook 😂😂 you haven't even gotten to our other posts yet!! TGIF. That was her that tried to ban Harry Potter?! 8y
WoodyWoodson Oh nooooooooooo! Now THIS is scarier than the inflatables @BookishFeminist posted 8y
BookishFeminist @WoodyWoodson Have you seen my most recent post? It's not an inflatable. 8y
TheNextBook @BookishFeminist I could have sworn it was her that tried to ban a ton of books and one was Harry Potter! 8y
WoodyWoodson @BookishFeminist oy...can't...unsee!!!!!!!!! 8y
BookishFeminist @TheNextBook Oh I wouldn't put it past her I think I've just blocked or tried to block everything that woman has ever said and done. You are probably right!! It reminds me of the post @Shortstack put up a while back with all the things that would lead to satanic possession. HP was one of them. 😂😂😂 8y
BookishFeminist @WoodyWoodson You and me both!! I am taking a sleeping pill tonight. 8y
Scurvygirl Good god! Can't these people all just go away! Life would be better without these idiotic politicians. 8y
Gayan 😂😂😂This is some funny shit. 8y
Peterdamien Now I badly want a series of kids books on odd, boring topics. "Sarah Palin is Tall" "You can eat several things with a spoon" "Frank" "Some Glues Dry Fast" 8y
Yossarian @Peterdamien I was thinking more along the lines of banal facts about losing VP candidates. Other volumes would include "Lloyd Bentsen Was Texan" and "Geraldine Ferraro Was A Lawyer." A new volume every month! Cancel anytime! Or keep going right through "Catholics Hated Theodore Frelinghuysen." 8y
BookishFeminist @Peterdamien "Some Glues Dry Fast" !! ?? 8y
Bette @BookishFeminist Living in the same state as Bachman...no way to parachute out of your home state. ☹️😰😢 Fortunately she wasn't our rep...so we could maintain a little distance. Every little bit helps. But I feel your pain 8y
BookishFeminist @Bette That's lucky! She was my partner's rep!!! @becausetrains he parachuted to Virginia to live with me 😂😂 8y
Bette @BookFeminist Always a silver lining 😊❤️ 8y
SandraD1 😂 8y
Shortstack I'm a bit dyslexic, I could so me misreading that as well! Lol 8y
Shortstack @BookishFeminist That's still one of my favorite things I've posted. 😂😂 8y
Peterdamien @Yossarian I was already laughing, but the Catholic one really killed me. Publish all of those and you'll make a FORTUNE. I mean, like, MULTIPLE DOLLARS 8y
Posemn Yes, Michele Bachman is a local embarrassment here in MN. 8y
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