Sarah, plain and tall

The questions inside

One per chapter, across all 9 chapters — every question is editable before you print.

1. Chapter 1: How do Anna and Caleb feel when Papa tells them he has placed an advertisement for a wife, and what does this show about what their family is missing?
2. Chapter 2: Sarah writes that she is 'plain and tall.' What do you learn about Sarah from her letters, and what words would you use to describe her personality so far?
3. Chapter 3: When Sarah arrives, what details show that the prairie is very different from her home in Maine?
4. Chapter 4: Caleb keeps asking Sarah if she will stay. Why do you think he asks this so often, and how does Sarah respond to him?
5. Chapter 5: Sarah misses the sea, but she also begins learning farm chores. What do her actions show about trying something new?
6. Chapter 6: The word 'squall' can mean a sudden storm with strong wind or rain. How does the squall in this chapter affect the characters, and why is it important to the story?
7. Chapter 7: Do you think Sarah is starting to belong with Anna, Caleb, and Papa? Use at least two details from the chapter to support your opinion.
8. Chapter 8: Sarah goes to town by herself, and the children worry she may not come back. What do you predict she will do, and what clues from the story support your prediction?
9. Chapter 9: By the end of the story, what lesson does the book teach about family, love, or finding a home?

Example answers

Printed at the front of the booklet, so your reader can see what a strong answer looks like.

Chapter 2: Sarah writes that she is 'plain and tall.' What do you learn about Sarah from her letters, and what words would you use to describe her personality so far?

From Sarah's letters, I learn that she is honest because she tells them exactly what she looks like and what her life is like. She also seems brave because she is thinking about leaving Maine to live with people she has never met. I would describe her as kind, independent, and curious. She asks questions about the children, which shows she wants to know them.

Chapter 6: The word 'squall' can mean a sudden storm with strong wind or rain. How does the squall in this chapter affect the characters, and why is it important to the story?

The squall makes the characters work together and shows how dangerous prairie weather can be. Sarah helps during the storm instead of just watching, so I can see that she is strong and willing to be part of the family. This moment is important because it helps Anna and Caleb trust her more. It also shows that Sarah can handle hard things in her new home.

Chapter 9: By the end of the story, what lesson does the book teach about family, love, or finding a home?

I think the book teaches that a family is made by caring for each other, not just by being born together. Sarah misses the sea, but she learns to love Anna, Caleb, Papa, and the prairie too. The children also learn that loving someone means letting them choose to stay, not forcing them. In the end, home is where people feel needed and loved.