Skylark audiobook

4.25-4.5 starsIf it’s even possible, I enjoyed this sequel more than the first book and that was a really nice book too. It made my heart pound living through this dry spell they loved through. There was nothing anyone could do during this time except live as best they can. Seeing the differences between Maine and Kansas was nice as the kids had never traveled or been apart from their father. It made me happy knowing that at this time “distance does make the heart grow fonder.” I had no idea that there was a series about this family when I first started reading “Sarah, Plain and Tall,” but now that I know I am determined to read the entire series. I was nervous when I started “Skylark” since I had heard nothing about it.

This book is the sequel to Sarah, Plain and Tall. In this follow-up story, the Witting family experiences a terrible drought, and Sarah is forced to take Anna and Caleb to visit her family in Maine until rain comes on the prairie again. Another understated, yet beautiful historical tale for children.

I first came across the stories thanks to Hallmark. I enjoy the movies. they keep the poetic, lovely language that I love in the stories. I like Skylark as one of best parts because it is an important part for Sarah. To feel at home, feel where she belongs . I loved how the writer developed it. To me the whole series feels integral whole and that's why I enjoy it.

I love this series. I highly recommend it. The setting in Maine (for this book) is much preferable to me than the previous setting on the prairie. Beautifully described. I'd like to hang out with Sarah and her aunts some time. This is the sequel to Sarah Plain and Tall. We grow to see what a strong woman Sarah is in the first book. This one gives us her roots and enough background to see how she develops into that woman. Her love for these two children that are not her own is fierce. Some choices have to be made. And it's quite a story kids and adults can both enjoy,

Sarah came to the prairie from Maine to marry Papa. That summer, a drought hit. So Sarah took Anna and Caleb back east, where they would be safe. Papa stayed behind. He would not leave his land. Maine was beautiful, but Anna missed home and Papa. And as the weeks went by, she began to wonder what would happen if the rains never came. Would she and Caleb and Sarah and Papa ever be a family again?Good read, making history come alive.

While Sarah settles into her new home, the looming drought makes her miss her home in Maine more and more. The children, especially little Caleb, worry that this means Sarah won't be happy with them. The drought eventually poses enough danger, not just due to lack of water, but also due to fire outbreaks and thirsty coyotes, that Jacob sends his new wife and 2 children to Sarah's family in Maine while he stays to try to take care of the land.After how much we both enjoyed the first book and subsequent movie-watching, my daughter and I both listened to the audiobook for the 2nd installment in the series, since it was narrated by Glenn Close, who played Sarah in the movies. I liked the second book as much as the first—it's sweet and emotional, and I'm surprised how attached I can get to characters in such a short story. The author's style of short, simple sentences makes the reading even quicker, but I never felt like it was lacking.Caleb remains an incredibly curious and insightful little kid, as shown through the POV of his big sister. And I loved the juxtaposition of the Midwest and New England area, seen a little through Sarah's explanations in the first book, but shown more fully in this one. My daughter (age 11) and I really enjoyed listening to this book and look forward to watching the movie.

A sweet book with a happy ending! I'm enjoying this little series. :)

This is the sequel novel to Sarah, Plain and Tall. Just like in Sarah, Plain and Tall most of the action is told by Anna the daughter of Jacob and the step-daughter of Sarah Witting. The prairie has been good to the Wittings except for this summer. The prairie is going through a very dry spell. Because of this, many of the Witting's friends are having to move because there isn't enough water for them and for their animals. The Wittings are doing pretty good but the heat is starting to get to Sarah who is not from the prairie. She grew up by the sea so the heat and drought is very hard on her. She has kind of a melt down when she sees that coyotes are coming up the house to look for water. To lighten her mood and to celebrate her birthday, Jacob decides to have a birthday party for Sarah which does lighten her mood. One of her presents is a record player which Sarah loves because Jacob then dances with her. After the birthday, Jacob decides it is time to send his wife and children to Sarah's hometown for the rest of the summer and drought. Anna, Jacob and Sarah go to Maine where they see the sea and water. Anna and Jacob come to love Sarah's three Aunts and all their friends. Sarah is happy to see her family but she is really missing Jacob and so are the children because Maine isn't their home. After awhile, Sarah realizes that she doesn't love the sea like she used to because Jacob is not there. Jacob finally surprises Sarah and his children by coming to Maine himself to let them know the drought is over. It has finally rained. Sarah also has a surprised for Jacob. She is having his child. The Wittings return to the prairie and Sarah writes her name in the prairie dirt.This is a great book to read because Patricia MacLachlan really makes the characters come alive. You get to know even more about the Witting family but you also get to meet Sarah's family and what they are like and how she was raised. Patricia writes so that it is interesting and you really get attached to each character and celebrate their happy moments with them. The writing is also big type so that it is a great book for first time chapter readers to read and enjoy. I also love that it is a historical novel so you get to see what that time period was like and the struggles that they had and overcame. I also liked that you get to see beloved characters again and how they have grown and become a real family. I also like that at the end of the book, the drought is over and Sarah finally has her dreams come true. She is going to have a child with Jacob. She still loves Anna and Jacob but she wants to add more children to their family to love.

Like the first book in this series, Skylark is multi-layered (like onions, or ogres, for the Shrek fans). Kids of different ages will unpeel the outer layers, but even adults will enjoy it. It is a fascinating look at pioneer life on the American prairies, and, IMHO opinion, as beautiful as the Little House series. I loved the characters, even the secondary ones were well-drawn. I also marvelled at Machlachlan's way of saying so much with few words. The simplicity makes the story even more striking. The love story between the adults (and eventually between Sarah and the land her husband loves so, even when drought strikes) is touching. The series is based on a true story. Highly recommended for kids and romance readers of all ages.