Sarah Plain and Tall

Set on the American prairie of the 19th century, this gentle book centers on a young girl named Anna and her brother, Caleb. Because their mother died giving birth to him, Caleb has no memories of her, and so it is up to Anna to share what she remembers about their mother--that she sang and that she loved flowers. The children's father, Jacob, lost without the help and companionship of his wife, places a classified ad in the newspaper for a mail-order bride. Sarah Elisabeth Wheaton, a self-described "plain and tall" woman who lives in Maine, answers. After a few letters, she agrees to come to the prairie to meet Anna, Caleb, and Jacob in person. Anna and Caleb quickly bond with Sarah, and begin hoping that she will decide to stay with them--and Jacob, too, seems taken with her honest and kindly manner. Sarah, however, is lonely for her home by the sea. Will Sarah stay and become part of their family, or will her love of the sea call her back to Maine? Illustrated with occasional B&W pencil drawings, this book won the 1986 Newbery Medal.