Patricia MacLachlan Books In Order

Publication Order of Barkus Books

Publication Order of Boxcar Children Mysteries Books

Publication Order of Sarah, Plain and Tall Books

Publication Order of Standalone Novels

Publication Order of Short Stories/Novellas

Publication Order of Picture Books

Publication Order of Reading Rainbow Books

Publication Order of Anthologies

Author Patricia MacLachlan was born March 3, 1938, in Cheyenne Wyoming. She lives in the western part of Massachusetts. She has written many well-loved picture books and novels. She writes children’s fiction.

Her first novel, called “Cassie Binegar”, was released in the year 1980. she writes the “Sarah, Plain and Tall” series and has released other stand alone works, one which she wrote with Emily, her daughter.

MacLachlan is a member of the National Children’s Book and Literacy Alliance’s board. It is a non-profit that advocates actively for literature, literacy, and libraries.

“Sarah, Plain and Tall” won a Newbery Medal for Best Novel. It was also adapted into a television movie that starred Christopher Walken and Glenn Close. The sequel, “Skylark”, was also adapted into a movie that had the same name.

“Sarah, Plain and Tall” is the first novel in the “Sarah, Plain and Tall” series, which was released in the year 1985. During the late nineteenth century a widowed farmer from the Midwest with two kids, Caleb and Anna puts an ad out for a wife. When Sarah shows up, she is homesick for Maine, especially the ocean that she misses greatly.

The kids fear that she is not going to stay long, and she goes to town one day by herself, young Caleb (whose mom died during childbirth) is hit with the fear she has left for good. She comes back, however, with colored pencils to draw for the kids the beauty of Maine. Sarah wants to explain that even though she misses her home state, she would miss the kids even more.

Despite the short length of this book, it is deeply moving and talks about some existential problems of life in a straightforward manner. Sarah is an interesting character who is a lot of fun to get to know. The simple writing, intended for kids is combined with the central mystery of just who Sarah makes it interesting for adults as well.

“Skylark” is the second novel in the “Sarah, Plain and Tall” series, which was released in the year 1992. Sarah fell in love with both Anna and Caleb and their dad, Jacob when she came to stay with them on the prairie. They became a family together. Jacob is a man of the land, but for Sarah, the prairie is still not her home quite yet.

A drought threatens to devastate their way of living, Jacob has to save the farm for them. The children go back to the home that Sarah knew first. The state of Maine, where there is both an ocean and family. But are they ever going to be a family again on the prairie?

Some were able to read this one quick, and they enjoyed each and every word of what they read. MacLachlan has a way of writing books that leaves you feeling like you could start crying as a result of the tender style and the beauty of the story.

“Caleb’s Story” is the third novel in the “Sarah, Plain and Tall” series, which was released in the year 2001. Caleb is given journals to write in. It is hard for him to find things to write about. But that is his new job, as given to him by Anna. She asks him to continue writing down the family’s story.

Sarah, Anna, Jacob, Caleb, and Cassie (their new little sister) have already put together their new family, and Caleb is afraid there may be nothing left to write about. That is before Cassie finds a mysterious old guy in their barn and it all changes. Everybody is excited about the coming of a new family member. Except for Jacob, that is, who holds a bitter grudge. Only Caleb’s special love, and the gift he is offering, could help mend the pain from the past.

Each of these books does a great job of warming the heart, and this one is not an exception at all. This book does a great job of exploring each of the characters from the way they react to a brand new challenge.

“More Perfect Than the Moon” is the fourth novel in the “Sarah, Plain and Tall” series, which was released in the year 2004. Cassie spends days watching Caleb and Grandfather in the barn, looking out at her Papa as he works the fields, spying on what her mom, Sarah, feeding the goslings. She is a writer, storyteller, and an observer. Everything is the way it should be.

Change is inevitable, however, even on the prairie. Something new is expected to come, and Sarah believes it is going to be the perfect gift. But Cassie is not as sure. Just like life changes, people do too. Cassie learns that unexpected surprises are able to bring a great amount of joy with them.

Some readers enjoy reading from Cassie’s point of view, as she has a writing voice much different from her siblings. MacLachlan does an amazing job of telling a riveting story with so few words. Despite being a kid’s book series, these are great reads for adults, too.

“Grandfather’s Dance” is the fifth novel in the “Sarah, Plain and Tall” series, which was released in the year 2006. Aunt Mattie’s knitting needles click in the dark. Jack leans back on Grandfather’s shoulder. The moon rises up. The candle is flickering in a gentle prairie wind.

Cassie closes her eyes to keep it all there.

Is there anything more perfect than a wedding on the prairie? Cassie Witting does not believe so. Her sister Anna’s wedding brings together two lovebirds, a long white dress with a veil, aunts from distant Maine, dancing underneath a clear blue sky, and a world that smells like roses.

While the Witting family gets together on this special day, Cassie sees life bringing on the changing of seasons, brother Jack on Grandfather’s lap, joy, sorrow and a special dance that only Grandfather does.

This is a satisfying conclusion to the series, and shows us that even while time marches on, the memories we are making get us through each of our tomorrows. This book ends the series in the best way possible.

2 Responses to “Patricia MacLachlan”

1. Cathy: 2 years ago

   Love the lists in order

   Reply
   • Graeme: 2 years ago

     Thanks 🙂

     Reply