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Sarah, Plain and Tall #3
Caleb's Story
The third book in the series that began with the Newbery Medal–winning Sarah, Plain and Tall by Patricia MacLachlan.
Anna has done something terrible. She has given me a journal to fill.
"It's your job now," Anna says as she hands Caleb her journals, asking him to continue writing the family story. But Sarah, Jacob, Anna, Caleb, and their new little sister, Cassie, have already formed a family, and Caleb fears there will be nothing left to write about. That is, before Cassie discovers a mysterious old man in the barn, and everything changes. Everyone is excited about the arrival of a new family member—except for Jacob, who holds a bitter grudge. Only the special love of Caleb, and the gift he offers, can help to mend the pain of the past.
Anna has done something terrible. She has given me a journal to fill.
"It's your job now," Anna says as she hands Caleb her journals, asking him to continue writing the family story. But Sarah, Jacob, Anna, Caleb, and their new little sister, Cassie, have already formed a family, and Caleb fears there will be nothing left to write about. That is, before Cassie discovers a mysterious old man in the barn, and everything changes. Everyone is excited about the arrival of a new family member—except for Jacob, who holds a bitter grudge. Only the special love of Caleb, and the gift he offers, can help to mend the pain of the past.
128 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2000
About the author
Patricia MacLachlan
139 books829 followersPatricia MacLachlan was born on the prairie, and always carried a small bag of prairie dirt with her wherever she went to remind her of what she knew first. She was the author of many well-loved novels and picture books, including Sarah, Plain and Tall, winner of the Newbery Medal; its sequels, Skylark and Caleb's Story; and Three Names, illustrated by Mike Wimmer. She lived in western Massachusetts.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 403 reviews
April 7, 2018
As memories haunt, loss and longing are swiftly carried away when forgiveness and understanding sweep across both prairie and hearts leaving love and home in their place.
February 1, 2018
This story is told through Caleb's eyes. His grandfather they thought dead shows up and brings the family drama. This story focuses on how difficult forgiveness is and how important it is also. Patricia does a wonderful job keeping the story at a high level and it seems effortless for her. It feels like a family history and not a fiction story.
Patricia is able to give well told warm stories for fans for the prairie.
Patricia is able to give well told warm stories for fans for the prairie.
October 6, 2020
3.75-4 stars
I was a little nervous about whether I'd like the different POV that happens in the third installment of the "Sarah, Plain and Tall" series. Unlike the previous two stories in the series, which are told from Anna's point of view, this story is told from Caleb's. I really liked the emotions, actions, and discussions between all the characters. It was nice reading about Jacob and his father's journey. It wasn't an easy one but it was nice seeing how it developed. I thought it was quite natural as I know so many people who would act the way they do.
I was a little nervous about whether I'd like the different POV that happens in the third installment of the "Sarah, Plain and Tall" series. Unlike the previous two stories in the series, which are told from Anna's point of view, this story is told from Caleb's. I really liked the emotions, actions, and discussions between all the characters. It was nice reading about Jacob and his father's journey. It wasn't an easy one but it was nice seeing how it developed. I thought it was quite natural as I know so many people who would act the way they do.
December 28, 2011
Patricia MacLachlan always seems to be able to fill my heart with her stories. Doesn't hurt that many of her main characters have the same names as people in my family. She manages to put a whole adult-sized novel's worth of character development into simple plots with lots of "white space" for each reader to bring themselves into the family she presents in such a short read.
May 19, 2022
I love the Sarah, Plain and Tall books. I can't remember why I never read this one when I read the first two. I have an old used paperback. It was delightful revisiting this family this week while reading outside, fitting perfectly into the final read for my Retro Chapter Chicks reading challenge for spring.
Sweet book. I highly recommend it!
Sweet book. I highly recommend it!
November 13, 2018
Unlike the other two stories in the series which are told from Anna's point of view, this is from Caleb's. He is older but he still possesses that adorableness from before.
Another wonderful story and with perhaps a little more heart strings pulled.
Ages: 5+
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Another wonderful story and with perhaps a little more heart strings pulled.
Ages: 5+
**Like my reviews? I also have hundreds of detailed reports that I offer too. These reports give a complete break-down of everything in the book, so you'll know just how clean it is or isn't. I also have Clean Guides (downloadable PDFs) which enable you to clean up your book before reading it!
Visit my website!
April 23, 2026
Told with the same quiet honesty as the earlier books, Caleb's Story shifts the perspective to Caleb as he reflects on family, change, and forgiveness. When a troubled man named John comes to work on the Witting farm, Sarah, Jacob, Anna, and Caleb slowly learn pieces of his painful past, forcing them to confront questions about trust and compassion.
Caleb’s narration gives the story a thoughtful, curious tone, especially as he struggles to understand the complexities of adulthood and the mistakes people carry with them. The plot remains very gentle and understated, focusing more on emotional growth than dramatic events. It’s a calm, reflective continuation of the series that values kindness and understanding over big moments.
RATING: four out of five stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Caleb’s narration gives the story a thoughtful, curious tone, especially as he struggles to understand the complexities of adulthood and the mistakes people carry with them. The plot remains very gentle and understated, focusing more on emotional growth than dramatic events. It’s a calm, reflective continuation of the series that values kindness and understanding over big moments.
RATING: four out of five stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐
August 28, 2021
Third volume of the "Sarah, Plain and Tall" series. An unexpected visitor arrives to the farm and upsets the life of the family.
These are short and nice books about farming in the prairies at the beginning of the 20th century.
These are short and nice books about farming in the prairies at the beginning of the 20th century.
December 15, 2022
ENGLISH: In the third book of the series, Anna has left and Caleb becomes the narrator of a story of grudges and forgiveness, during which the family grows. The main problem is that these people don't talk to each other, they keep relevant information, and thus lengthen the duration of their dilemmas.
For the first time we learn about the time when the story takes place: 1918, the year of the Great War and the flu pandemic.
ESPAÑOL: En el tercer libro de la serie, Anna se ha ido y Caleb se convierte en narrador de una historia de rencor y perdón, durante la cual la familia se incrementa. El principal problema es que estas gentes no hablan entre sí, se guardan informaciones relevantes, y alargan la duración de sus dilemas.
Por primera vez nos enteramos de en qué año sucede la historia: 1918, el año de la Gran Guerra y la pandemia de la gripe.
For the first time we learn about the time when the story takes place: 1918, the year of the Great War and the flu pandemic.
ESPAÑOL: En el tercer libro de la serie, Anna se ha ido y Caleb se convierte en narrador de una historia de rencor y perdón, durante la cual la familia se incrementa. El principal problema es que estas gentes no hablan entre sí, se guardan informaciones relevantes, y alargan la duración de sus dilemas.
Por primera vez nos enteramos de en qué año sucede la historia: 1918, el año de la Gran Guerra y la pandemia de la gripe.
April 13, 2024
This was such a good story, very atmospheric and had a message of forgiveness that we all need!
January 20, 2019
I was disappointed that she made this one in Caleb's POV, because he kept getting on my nerves in the first two with asking Anna about every little thing Sarah did or said. I found him suffocating and so clingy! Idk who would write two books in one kid's POV and then decide to switch in the third.
In Skylark Sarah was just pregnant near the end, and I expected it to pick up there. I couldn't believe the unborn baby was now a kid and so much time had passed. That's awful!
It was amusing that Cassie wanted Caleb to play hide and seek with her, but Caleb peeked through his fingers to see where she went. She used to hide but her feet or something would be sticking out where he could see them, or he'd call her name and she would answer, giving her hiding place away.
It was actually kind of scary when Cassie announced that there was a man behind the barn. Whoa! And it annoyed me that Caleb didn't believe her and didn't even check.
I was SO upset when I learned Anna had a boyfriend, named Justin who was writing her letters. She gets a boyfriend and you dumped her POV. Not cool. That's the best part about a book. He's away fighting in the war in Europe and Anna was going to train with his dad, who's a doctor.
The best details about a novel to me are the ways of life. When the snow was too bad they didn't go to school, because it was too hard to come home. One time they had to spend the night at the school and sleep by the wood stove. They tied a rope from the house to the barn.
It was funny how Cassie kept insisting the man was a robber. Sarah told her to stop saying it because the man isn't a robber. She told Caleb there's always things to write about, like thoughts, wishes, hopes, and dreams and Cassie mouthed "Robbers."
John didn't seem very friendly. Cassie was staring at him and I know that's rude, but he gruffly asked her what? Caleb said he was writing about him in his journal and John said there's nothing to write about him. He asked if Cassie does anything, and when Caleb said she plays hide and seek he told her to go hide! He counted for her to hide and when she did he said "There. She's gone." How mean!
John wouldn't answer personal questions and Caleb caught him taking out a bottle of pills, so the identity of the man became a mystery. Papa came home and finally recognized him as his dad. It was no surprise to me at all. I'm used to the dad coming. Little House on the Prairie had that visit too.
Caleb told John it would be nice to know his grandfather and John said don't think that, he isn't nice. What kind of character was this?!
I felt bad for Caleb when he told his grandpa goodnight and the grandpa didn't say it back, just commented on the moon. Caleb offered for him to read Anna's journals about their lives, started reading some of it but he didn't turn around and then his grandpa told him goodnight and to close the door. So final, so uncaring. He was getting on my nerves. Why come back if you're going to treat everybody like crap?
He finally opened up and shared a memory of his farm dogs. Then he got embarrassed that he'd talked so much. Stop doing that! I wanted more! Cassie asked Papa about the dogs and he didn't even answer and went right back outside. It was really irritating.
He was such a jerk to speak to Caleb and not Cassie, like he had a personal vendetta against her alone.
On the way to town they passed a family who was burying a baby, and Grandfather said the fire they were burning was to thaw the ground out to dig and that was so grisly and morbid a detail! So dark for this book. Papa told Sarah not to go over there because of the influenza, and she didn't listen and went and hugged the woman. That was such a dangerous, stupid, and unnecessary thing to do. It's sweet to want to console someone, but that's putting your whole family at risk and I couldn't believe she would do such a thing. It's like inviting death.
In town, families who had sons go to war had flags in their windows. Those who had lost people to influenza or war had black wreaths on the door.
I thought the secret was going to be about his health condition, not that he couldn't read. Caleb finally figured out why John didn't read the journals, and why he hadn't wrote Papa a letter. Cassie had asked him that day to read his medicine bottle and he claimed he couldn't because he didn't have his glasses, but they knew he didn't even wear them.
It wasn't until pg. 77 that we learned Cassie had been named for their grandma, John's wife. I realized that could have been the problem but that should have been shared long before now. At least the grandpa smiled and said he knew their grandma would have liked her. Finally being nice to her!
I was so glad when Papa and John finally talked. Papa asked why he came back, told him be looked for him everyday and that he didn't even write him a letter. I was like, yeah! Ask him questions! And they got into a shoving match, and surprisingly, Grandfather was the one who won. I was so annoyed! Papa fell on a plow and hurt his leg and I'm like come on, this old man with heart trouble is the one doing the hurting?
Caleb said it could've been grandfather with the broken leg because Papa had pushed him too, and Sarah smiled and said how alike they were. What is there to smile about? A father and son pushing each other around and getting a leg broken? That is not okay.
It was a nice moment when Caleb gave him a blank journal to write in and he said he felt love. Finally a thawing out.
Sarah asked Sam, Justin's dad, if he's gotten any letters from Justin. He hadn't in a while and Sarah asked if he was worried. Someone's kid is in another country fighting in a war and you ask if they're worried! What a dumb question!
It was funny how when they went to town Anna had said she was gonna ask what Grandfather was like, and then at the same time they said he's like Papa. And when Sam came to the house to see how Papa was doing, he also advised Grandfather privately not to work because his heart couldn't take it. Sarah asked what they'd talked about and then at same time that Sam said it was private, she said it too.
Caleb heard Sarah and Papa arguing. Papa refused to forgive him, and she said his unforgiving nature is something she doesn't love about him. Caleb told his dad that he wanted him to forgive Grandfather for his birthday so he could grow up to be like Papa.
If we didn't have enough to deal with, Sarah went missing in the snowstorm, stupidly went outside to get Nick. What was Nick doing outside if they knew it was going to storm? When Grandfather volunteered to go look for her I was so mad! I didn't want him to get hurt overexerting himself.
He found her buried in the snow, Nick stayed with her. They had to warm her up and keep her awake. I was so afraid he was going to die.
Sarah's brush with death was used to illustrate that things happen. Caleb had tied the string but it broke and Sarah got lost and almost died. It isn't about fault and blaming people. Things just happen, and she said if you're lucky you get a chance to make things better.
So Papa finally talked to Grandfather and asked why he left and didn't write to him. Grandfather admitted he couldn't read, and that him and his wife couldn't live together but it was his fault. I kept waiting for the explanation of why he'd stayed gone for Papa's entire life, but it didn't come. What the heck?! Why didn't he ever come back? That needed to be explained. Grandfather had written a note that he loved Jacob, and they hugged it out. Papa asked him not to go because he didn't ever want to miss him again. I thought he should have apologized at some point for breaking Papa's leg!
It ended with Caleb's journal entry about them having a turkey meal, and all being together. Sam, Anna, and Justin were coming over. So I was glad Justin was okay at least.
This one was my least favorite out of the series. It was too much about Papa and Grandfather fighting. It was a lot of Caleb listening in to other people's conversations. That got old. Cassie asked a million and one questions. It struck me that she was the new Caleb. Anna felt like a stranger, barely had any presence. It was better being in Caleb's POV than I feared, but I see a pattern of the annoying little kid growing up and becoming the narrator and a new annoying, questioning kid taking their place. We weren't told how old Caleb was and I kept wondering how old they all were. As always, the writing and plots are really simple. Sparse, bare bone writing with kids having deep thoughts and observations that are SO unrealistic.
In Skylark Sarah was just pregnant near the end, and I expected it to pick up there. I couldn't believe the unborn baby was now a kid and so much time had passed. That's awful!
It was amusing that Cassie wanted Caleb to play hide and seek with her, but Caleb peeked through his fingers to see where she went. She used to hide but her feet or something would be sticking out where he could see them, or he'd call her name and she would answer, giving her hiding place away.
It was actually kind of scary when Cassie announced that there was a man behind the barn. Whoa! And it annoyed me that Caleb didn't believe her and didn't even check.
I was SO upset when I learned Anna had a boyfriend, named Justin who was writing her letters. She gets a boyfriend and you dumped her POV. Not cool. That's the best part about a book. He's away fighting in the war in Europe and Anna was going to train with his dad, who's a doctor.
The best details about a novel to me are the ways of life. When the snow was too bad they didn't go to school, because it was too hard to come home. One time they had to spend the night at the school and sleep by the wood stove. They tied a rope from the house to the barn.
It was funny how Cassie kept insisting the man was a robber. Sarah told her to stop saying it because the man isn't a robber. She told Caleb there's always things to write about, like thoughts, wishes, hopes, and dreams and Cassie mouthed "Robbers."
John didn't seem very friendly. Cassie was staring at him and I know that's rude, but he gruffly asked her what? Caleb said he was writing about him in his journal and John said there's nothing to write about him. He asked if Cassie does anything, and when Caleb said she plays hide and seek he told her to go hide! He counted for her to hide and when she did he said "There. She's gone." How mean!
John wouldn't answer personal questions and Caleb caught him taking out a bottle of pills, so the identity of the man became a mystery. Papa came home and finally recognized him as his dad. It was no surprise to me at all. I'm used to the dad coming. Little House on the Prairie had that visit too.
Caleb told John it would be nice to know his grandfather and John said don't think that, he isn't nice. What kind of character was this?!
I felt bad for Caleb when he told his grandpa goodnight and the grandpa didn't say it back, just commented on the moon. Caleb offered for him to read Anna's journals about their lives, started reading some of it but he didn't turn around and then his grandpa told him goodnight and to close the door. So final, so uncaring. He was getting on my nerves. Why come back if you're going to treat everybody like crap?
He finally opened up and shared a memory of his farm dogs. Then he got embarrassed that he'd talked so much. Stop doing that! I wanted more! Cassie asked Papa about the dogs and he didn't even answer and went right back outside. It was really irritating.
He was such a jerk to speak to Caleb and not Cassie, like he had a personal vendetta against her alone.
On the way to town they passed a family who was burying a baby, and Grandfather said the fire they were burning was to thaw the ground out to dig and that was so grisly and morbid a detail! So dark for this book. Papa told Sarah not to go over there because of the influenza, and she didn't listen and went and hugged the woman. That was such a dangerous, stupid, and unnecessary thing to do. It's sweet to want to console someone, but that's putting your whole family at risk and I couldn't believe she would do such a thing. It's like inviting death.
In town, families who had sons go to war had flags in their windows. Those who had lost people to influenza or war had black wreaths on the door.
I thought the secret was going to be about his health condition, not that he couldn't read. Caleb finally figured out why John didn't read the journals, and why he hadn't wrote Papa a letter. Cassie had asked him that day to read his medicine bottle and he claimed he couldn't because he didn't have his glasses, but they knew he didn't even wear them.
It wasn't until pg. 77 that we learned Cassie had been named for their grandma, John's wife. I realized that could have been the problem but that should have been shared long before now. At least the grandpa smiled and said he knew their grandma would have liked her. Finally being nice to her!
I was so glad when Papa and John finally talked. Papa asked why he came back, told him be looked for him everyday and that he didn't even write him a letter. I was like, yeah! Ask him questions! And they got into a shoving match, and surprisingly, Grandfather was the one who won. I was so annoyed! Papa fell on a plow and hurt his leg and I'm like come on, this old man with heart trouble is the one doing the hurting?
Caleb said it could've been grandfather with the broken leg because Papa had pushed him too, and Sarah smiled and said how alike they were. What is there to smile about? A father and son pushing each other around and getting a leg broken? That is not okay.
It was a nice moment when Caleb gave him a blank journal to write in and he said he felt love. Finally a thawing out.
Sarah asked Sam, Justin's dad, if he's gotten any letters from Justin. He hadn't in a while and Sarah asked if he was worried. Someone's kid is in another country fighting in a war and you ask if they're worried! What a dumb question!
It was funny how when they went to town Anna had said she was gonna ask what Grandfather was like, and then at the same time they said he's like Papa. And when Sam came to the house to see how Papa was doing, he also advised Grandfather privately not to work because his heart couldn't take it. Sarah asked what they'd talked about and then at same time that Sam said it was private, she said it too.
Caleb heard Sarah and Papa arguing. Papa refused to forgive him, and she said his unforgiving nature is something she doesn't love about him. Caleb told his dad that he wanted him to forgive Grandfather for his birthday so he could grow up to be like Papa.
If we didn't have enough to deal with, Sarah went missing in the snowstorm, stupidly went outside to get Nick. What was Nick doing outside if they knew it was going to storm? When Grandfather volunteered to go look for her I was so mad! I didn't want him to get hurt overexerting himself.
He found her buried in the snow, Nick stayed with her. They had to warm her up and keep her awake. I was so afraid he was going to die.
Sarah's brush with death was used to illustrate that things happen. Caleb had tied the string but it broke and Sarah got lost and almost died. It isn't about fault and blaming people. Things just happen, and she said if you're lucky you get a chance to make things better.
So Papa finally talked to Grandfather and asked why he left and didn't write to him. Grandfather admitted he couldn't read, and that him and his wife couldn't live together but it was his fault. I kept waiting for the explanation of why he'd stayed gone for Papa's entire life, but it didn't come. What the heck?! Why didn't he ever come back? That needed to be explained. Grandfather had written a note that he loved Jacob, and they hugged it out. Papa asked him not to go because he didn't ever want to miss him again. I thought he should have apologized at some point for breaking Papa's leg!
It ended with Caleb's journal entry about them having a turkey meal, and all being together. Sam, Anna, and Justin were coming over. So I was glad Justin was okay at least.
This one was my least favorite out of the series. It was too much about Papa and Grandfather fighting. It was a lot of Caleb listening in to other people's conversations. That got old. Cassie asked a million and one questions. It struck me that she was the new Caleb. Anna felt like a stranger, barely had any presence. It was better being in Caleb's POV than I feared, but I see a pattern of the annoying little kid growing up and becoming the narrator and a new annoying, questioning kid taking their place. We weren't told how old Caleb was and I kept wondering how old they all were. As always, the writing and plots are really simple. Sparse, bare bone writing with kids having deep thoughts and observations that are SO unrealistic.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 3, 2011
Anna, through whose eyes and emotional perspective we received the narrative in Sarah, Plain and Tall and its sequel, Skylark, is an older teenager by the time that the events in this third book take place, and lives in town apart from her family. Before she first left home, though, she gave her younger brother Caleb a blank notebook journal of his own, and told him that it was now his responsibility to write down what happened in the family, recording the significant events of their lives in print to be remembered always.
It doesn't seem to Caleb that anything very interesting is likely to happen anytime soon around their simple home on the plains, but he's wrong. His four-year-old sister Cassie, born to Papa and Sarah sometime after the end of Skylark, notices an unfamiliar man hanging around their house while Papa is away on a trip. When Caleb, Cassie and Sarah find the man shivering alone in the wintry cold of the barn, they invite him inside the house to warm up and lodge with the three of them for a while.
It quickly becomes apparent to keenly observant Caleb that the man didn't just wander onto their property by chance. He has some hidden connection to the family's past, a connection that finally is revealed when Papa returns from his trip, surprised to find that this particular person from his past is alive and well.
In continuing the story of the Witting family sixteen years after the original publication of the Newbery Medal-winning Sarah, Plain and Tall, author Patricia MacLachlan has kept alive the odyssey of a set characters deeply loved by many readers. Caleb's Story has a different narrator and is longer than the previous two books, but the writing is as elegantly crafted as ever, and fans of Patricia MacLachlan's gentle syntax will want to read this new entry in the series. I might give two and a half stars to Caleb's Story.
It doesn't seem to Caleb that anything very interesting is likely to happen anytime soon around their simple home on the plains, but he's wrong. His four-year-old sister Cassie, born to Papa and Sarah sometime after the end of Skylark, notices an unfamiliar man hanging around their house while Papa is away on a trip. When Caleb, Cassie and Sarah find the man shivering alone in the wintry cold of the barn, they invite him inside the house to warm up and lodge with the three of them for a while.
It quickly becomes apparent to keenly observant Caleb that the man didn't just wander onto their property by chance. He has some hidden connection to the family's past, a connection that finally is revealed when Papa returns from his trip, surprised to find that this particular person from his past is alive and well.
In continuing the story of the Witting family sixteen years after the original publication of the Newbery Medal-winning Sarah, Plain and Tall, author Patricia MacLachlan has kept alive the odyssey of a set characters deeply loved by many readers. Caleb's Story has a different narrator and is longer than the previous two books, but the writing is as elegantly crafted as ever, and fans of Patricia MacLachlan's gentle syntax will want to read this new entry in the series. I might give two and a half stars to Caleb's Story.
October 13, 2013
“Caleb’s Story” is the third story in the “Sarah, Plain and Tall” series. The Witting family adds a little sister, Cassie who is now about 4. Annie gives the family journal to Caleb for him to add to, as she is going off to town for school and to work for the doctor.
Little Cassie is the first to spot a strange man behind the barn. Bitter feelings and resentment arise when Jacob realizes that this stranger is his long lost father, who walked away from the family with no explanation when Jacob was a young boy. The pain is a reopened wound for Jacob.
This episode of the story centers on that painful resentment. Page 42-43: “Cassie’s life is simple, Caleb. She thinks life is good and fair. And everyone does the right thing.” …”But life is good and fair,” I said. “Isn’t it?” …”Sometimes, Caleb. But sometimes people do the wrong thing.”
Eventually the pain and resentment are eased, but even Jacob must come to the realization: pg. 111 …said Sarah “And that’s the was life is. Something happens…one little moment in time. If you’re lucky, you have a chance to make things better. You have that chance here. Don’t let it pass.”
Exceptional lessons taught, experienced, and learned by children and adults. “Caleb’s Story” is just as good and rich and wonderful as #1 and #2. It is my opinion that the Hallmark Hall of Fame Sarah trilogy, staring Glen Close, is a perfect follow-up opportunity after reading these first three books. They are very well done and worthwhile family entertainment.
Little Cassie is the first to spot a strange man behind the barn. Bitter feelings and resentment arise when Jacob realizes that this stranger is his long lost father, who walked away from the family with no explanation when Jacob was a young boy. The pain is a reopened wound for Jacob.
This episode of the story centers on that painful resentment. Page 42-43: “Cassie’s life is simple, Caleb. She thinks life is good and fair. And everyone does the right thing.” …”But life is good and fair,” I said. “Isn’t it?” …”Sometimes, Caleb. But sometimes people do the wrong thing.”
Eventually the pain and resentment are eased, but even Jacob must come to the realization: pg. 111 …said Sarah “And that’s the was life is. Something happens…one little moment in time. If you’re lucky, you have a chance to make things better. You have that chance here. Don’t let it pass.”
Exceptional lessons taught, experienced, and learned by children and adults. “Caleb’s Story” is just as good and rich and wonderful as #1 and #2. It is my opinion that the Hallmark Hall of Fame Sarah trilogy, staring Glen Close, is a perfect follow-up opportunity after reading these first three books. They are very well done and worthwhile family entertainment.
July 8, 2015
What a great addition to the series. I really enjoyed being able to continue on the journey from Caleb's perspective, I found it enjoyable and it was neat to see things through his eyes. Caleb was by far my favourite character in Sarah Plain And Tall, when my teacher first read it to me and this book brought back the wonderful feelings of nostalgia and happiness, it was perfect! I highly recommend it to people who have read the first two books in the series.
I just love reading the Sara Plain And Tall series, even years after I first read them. Every time I pick it up I am immediately back into the world and the feeling I got first reading them comes back each time.
I just love reading the Sara Plain And Tall series, even years after I first read them. Every time I pick it up I am immediately back into the world and the feeling I got first reading them comes back each time.
July 21, 2016
Heart warming and heart WRENCHING! I loved it. I fall in love with the characters more and more with each book.
Forgiveness is the main theme here. Not just, "I'm sorry" and then "Oh, that's okay" kind of thing. No. The What-I-did-was-wrong-and-naming-it confession...and then words of love that conveyed forgiveness. Yes. This.
One of my favorite scenes...
[after receiving a gift]
Grandfather put a hand on his chest.
"Grandfather?"
I was scared. I thought he was sick.
Grandfather waved me away.
"It isn't pain," he said to me.
He closed his empty book and looked at me.
"It's love," he said.
So, yeah. Make sure you get to this book in the series!
Forgiveness is the main theme here. Not just, "I'm sorry" and then "Oh, that's okay" kind of thing. No. The What-I-did-was-wrong-and-naming-it confession...and then words of love that conveyed forgiveness. Yes. This.
One of my favorite scenes...
[after receiving a gift]
Grandfather put a hand on his chest.
"Grandfather?"
I was scared. I thought he was sick.
Grandfather waved me away.
"It isn't pain," he said to me.
He closed his empty book and looked at me.
"It's love," he said.
So, yeah. Make sure you get to this book in the series!
December 24, 2016
If you liked Sarah, Plain and Tall, you'll like this sequel. Sarah, Jacob and the children are living on the prairie during the winter of 1918. There is a war raging in Europe. At home, influenza is making many people ill and killing some of them. Anna is leaving to move into town so she can finish her education and work with the town doctor. As she leaves, she gives her brother Caleb a blank journal with instructions to write down everything that happens around the farm. That shouldn't be too hard. According to Caleb, nothing ever happens. How could he have known how wrong he would be? How could any of them have known how a stranger will change their lives forever?
June 13, 2012
Not as good as the first two in the Sarah Plain and Tall series, but still nicely written and wonderful pacing. The tone of the story is effectively changed with the change of narrator. I usually don't like change, but I didn't miss Anna's character anywhere near as much as I thought I would. MacLachlan is wonderful at conveying who the characters are without excessive description (almost sole use of dialogue and narration). The characters are so lovable. A fairly predictable, yet, hear-warming tale.
August 21, 2008
Love the series and have already seen the third movie. Might as well read the book.
Okay, now read--and it's exactly like the movie! I like that we get Caleb's point of view in this book, although I did miss having Anna. Still, it was nice that Caleb was able to get a final sense of belonging and vision/goal of his future--especially as it relates to the connection of his "emotional-barriered" father.
Okay, now read--and it's exactly like the movie! I like that we get Caleb's point of view in this book, although I did miss having Anna. Still, it was nice that Caleb was able to get a final sense of belonging and vision/goal of his future--especially as it relates to the connection of his "emotional-barriered" father.
July 20, 2014
In this installment of the series, Caleb narrates the story as Anna has left for school in town. Jacob and Sarah have also added to the family and Caleb now has a younger sister, Cassie. Jacob's father comes back into their lives after leaving, but he may not be ready to to forgive him.
I thought this was a lovely story about family and forgiveness. I also enjoyed seeing this family grow and develop.
I thought this was a lovely story about family and forgiveness. I also enjoyed seeing this family grow and develop.
April 30, 2015
I enjoyed reading this book. It was very easy to read and there was never really a time where I got tired of reading it. I had read the previous book in the series, Sarah Plain and Tall when I was a kid, so the story's characters were somewhat familiar to me. I think the author conveyed a valuable lesson in the story: forgiveness. This is something many people struggle with and this story reminds us that life is too short to hold grudges.
September 10, 2018
I didn't like this one as much as the first two books, mainly because it wasn't so much about Anna (Who I loved). But we did have Sarah showing her best side.
The story of forgiveness and acceptance was amazing. Cassie was a lovable, talkative kid that I just wanted to give a huge hug to.
I can't wait to read the next book!
The story of forgiveness and acceptance was amazing. Cassie was a lovable, talkative kid that I just wanted to give a huge hug to.
I can't wait to read the next book!
December 31, 2012
Moar sequels! Maybe it's because I'm an adult, but it was obvious to me that Caleb's grandfather couldn't read. So the big build up to the reveal was annoying - but it is a children's book. Anywho, rounds out the story nicely.
January 2, 2016
I liked this one the best so far, though it bugs me that every time someone says something even mildly serious, they ALWAYS say it "softly," which sounded pretty repetitive after a while, haha. Looking forward to continuing on with the last two books when I can find copies of them. :)
February 2, 2016
I liked hearing this story in Caleb's voice. He has grown into a fine man. The story is about forgiveness and learning to love. These stories are always a little sad as they talk about real life and the struggles of relationships. Great book for all ages to read.
April 13, 2017
A nice exploration of the characters through their reactions to a new kind of challenge. Interesting plot delves into characters' past rather than facing the present. Narrated by a new voice, not as authentic as the first, but still riveting. Introduction of several new and likable characters.
January 23, 2017
A little sister was added to the story. we loved it! but we missed Anna.
December 11, 2017
This book is even better than Sarah Plain and Tall.
August 30, 2018
Aww, I love these books!
November 24, 2019
I love it as a father-son story . Sometimes fault doesn't matter.
October 17, 2020
This third book in the series is told from Caleb’s point of view. Several years have passed since Skylark, and now the baby mentioned in that book is 4 years old (and a great addition to the story—Cassie is so curious and delightful, a lot like Caleb when he was younger).
This book has a bit of mystery at the beginning before you find out who the stranger is, and then a strong theme related to forgiveness. A beautiful story, and I really enjoy the narrator’s gentle voice (even though it’s harder to tell the voices apart when she’s trying to do two adult men plus an adult woman with a deeper voice).
This book has a bit of mystery at the beginning before you find out who the stranger is, and then a strong theme related to forgiveness. A beautiful story, and I really enjoy the narrator’s gentle voice (even though it’s harder to tell the voices apart when she’s trying to do two adult men plus an adult woman with a deeper voice).
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