Sarah, Plain and Tall

Setting and landscape are important parts of the novel and shape how the characters live and act. How does life on the prairie shape the life of the Whiting family? Consider their discussion of winter and its challenges. Conversely, how did living next to the sea shape Sarah’s life? How does the author use the natural world and contrasting landscapes to highlight certain characters’ growth and change throughout the novel? How does learning about the sea change Anna and Caleb even though they have never physically seen it?

Teaching Suggestion: This prompt asks students to think about characterization in connection with Finding Comfort and Connection in Nature. The latter can be defined broadly: Students might consider how climate, landscape, plant and animal life, and location impact the lives of individuals.

• This TED Talk from Linnea Sando discusses how to “read” landscapes to learn about the area’s cultural history.

Differentiation Suggestion: A more hands-in approach for kinetic learners might involve having students act out characters' conversations about the sea/prairie. Afterwards, students can reflect on what their portrayals of those characters suggest about the characters’ relationship to their environment(s).