65 pages 2 hours read

Patricia MacLachlan

Sarah, Plain and Tall

Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 1985

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Chapters 7-9Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapter 7 Summary

Matthew, Maggie, and their two children, Rose and Violet, come to help Papa plow the field for corn. The children bring three chickens as a gift for Sarah. She immediately takes to the chickens, and Anna knows they will never eat them. As Maggie and Sarah work together to prepare a meal to share after the plowing, they each talk about missing home, which Anna does not like to hear. Maggie has also brought Sarah flowers for a garden, so the women and Anna plant them together. Maggie offers to teach Sarah how to drive the wagon so she can visit her.

After the meal, Rose and Violet fall asleep, and Papa helps Matthew carry them to the wagon. The neighbors leave, and as Sarah is considering what to name the chickens, Papa brings her some newly bloomed roses.

Chapter 8 Summary

Sarah wears overalls and demands that Papa teach her to ride Jack and drive the wagon. At first, he disagrees that she should ride Jack, but she insists. A storm is brewing, so Papa says they will have the lesson tomorrow: He must fix the roof quickly before the rain arrives. Sarah insists on helping since she is a skilled carpenter.