Loved the movie, loved the book more

Sarah, Plain and Tall by Patricia MacLachlan; published by Scholastic, New York, 1996.

Anna and Caleb’s father has found a mail-order bride. Sarah, who describes herself as plain and tall, arrives in Kansas from her home along the Maine coast.  The story follows the development of love from loss from the perspective of Anna.

I might use this book, paired with the Hallmark movie, to explore the similarities and differences between the novel and the screenplay.  It would also tie in with a visit to Hale Farm or other social studies lessons.