I just read this aloud to my 7, 5, and 3 year old boys. Every one of them loved it. I liked the short chapters for bed-time reading aloud.

This is a great little book for reading aloud. We finished it in just a few sittings, and reading it to my kids helped bring the emotions of the story to life. I liked it better this time around simply for that reason.

I confess that this wasn't my first time reading "Sarah, Plain and Tall". I love how I can't help but gently smile through the whole thing. I love how quiet, calm, and thoughtful the characters are. However, I love the extra depth that the movie version gave as well.

Read for Newberry Challenge - 1986 winner

This was a reread for me, I'm pretty sure I read the whole series as a kid. Sort of reminds me of Little House on the Prairie but much simpler. I enjoyed the story even if it was super short. Probably a 3.5 I guess?

This was the last "read aloud" of the school year. Picture this: my smart phone is plugged into the speakers and I'm streaming the book through Audible. My high needs fourth graders, during the last few weeks of school, sit transfixed listening intently. Listening as if their lives depended on it. When, at the end of the audio (before we watched the Hallmark Hall of Fame movie with Glenn Close-the only movie my kids watched with me all year, thank you very much), I asked my kids which they preferred: their dear old teacher reading aloud or an audio version. You guessed it...me. Score one got the teach-though this particular audio was exceptional. And in case you're wondering...yes, I do have state standards to hang on the movie viewing of the book.
;)

I think this is a beautiful, simple book. It's as sparse and striking as its setting, and it deals with the themes of love and loss in a way that's accessible to young readers.

Because I am a geek, I sometimes respond to books in very visceral ways, and my feelings stick with me long after I've finished reading. When this, I sort of feel a sense of longing, a pang of sadness, that life doesn't always turn out how you thought it'd be. But this also comes with a quiet hope, that a tiny beauty can be constructed by good people with pure hearts. I know it sounds corny, but that's how this book makes me feel.

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

Beautiful and so sweet. I can't believe I've never read it before now.

I remember reading this book as a kid-
Landon liked listening to this book

So I read this out of order--this is the prequel to Skylark. When Sarah came out west as a mail-order bride. What a way to find your mate--but it worked so beautifully for them. Love this story.