Sarah, Plain and Tall - Patricia MacLachlan

Recommended for ages 7-13ish.

Sarah, Plain and Tall is a great little book for younger readers. It's 67 pages long, and tells the story of an American family who place an ad in the newspaper for a new wife and mother (after the loss of their first). Sarah, who answers the ad, is a delightful character - stubborn, honest and loving, but she has difficulty adjusting to life away from the coast where she grew up.

This book is well-written and has a particularly nice ending. It's a deserving recipient of the Newbery Medal - an award "for the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children".