"I suppose that's what writing is for...To change life and make it come out the way you want it to." ―Grandfather's Dance, P. 58 After careful consideration, I'm rounding my three-and-a-half star rating for Grandfather's Dance up instead of down, easily the highest mark that I've given to any of the books in this series. I'm convinced that it's worth the rating. Grandfather's Dance brings to a close, presumably, what is perhaps the best-loved quintet in all of twentieth-century children's literature. The journey that began in 1985 with Sarah, Plain and Tall, one of the shortest books to ever receive the Newbery Medal, reaches its final stop at the end of Grandfather's Dance, and what a marvelous finish the legendary Patricia MacLachlan has crafted. At a time on the publishing scene when books almost always trend toward decline as a series continues, trying to squeeze every last cent out of an idea even after it's become worn-out and hackneyed, the books of the Sarah, Plain and Tall cycle stand in impressive contrast. In my opinion, the series only became better as the multi-book narrative progressed, culminating in the most powerful, deeply affecting story of all with Grandfather's Dance, one of the best novels that Patricia MacLachlan has ever produced. Having read the entire series about the Witting family, I feel as if I've reached the end of something bigger than I even know, but I also feel really positive about what the books have taught me and the fitting conclusion that is given to one of the most significant literary families of its time. After working so hard to stay together during the early stages of their development as a solid, cohesive family, the Wittings are ready for a major celebration. A young child at the time of the first book, Anna is now preparing for her wedding day, and her family and friends couldn't be happier. Most of Grandfather's Dance is seen from the perspective of her two half-siblings, Cassie and Jack, her father's two youngest children who were born after Anna and Caleb's mother died and Sarah came along to marry their father. While observing the excitement and bustle of the wedding preparations, Cassie imagines her own eventual wedding, hoping that it will be to a husband worthy of the title. She's pretty sure that she knows just the right kind of groom that would be, and even though the particular type of husband she imagines for herself strikes the family as funny, she continues to think often on what their wedding would be like in the days leading up to her sister's vows. Grandfather is happy to help Cassie in imagining what her wedding could be like someday. He's getting older, and he says that if he can't be around to see her real wedding when it happens, then he'll gladly take the opportunity to participate in the pre-enactment. So Anna's wedding day is a double wedding of sorts, and though the attention of most guests is only on the official ceremony, Grandfather enjoys both events for all that they mean, and the close and extended family celebrate joyously as Anna and her fiance at last become husband and wife. For Cassie and Jack, the coming changes are about more than just having a new brother-in-law. Cassie is learning to adapt to the increasing cognitive awareness of her little brother, realizing that he's growing into a child who hears and understands what he is told, even about such abstract concepts as life and death. Grandfather hasn't always been around for his family, and the sad, pressing reality is that he's not always going to be around, either, but for now he is in their lives to the fullest extent possible, and each moment of that experience is right there to be savored and stored away in their hearts while there's still time. As the days of sorrow change place back and forth with the days of joy, continually overlapping and exchanging position and never settling in for too long before the other one takes over again, Cassie is made aware in a single unforgettably poignant moment that Jack understands the concepts of death and loss, that though he's still very young and doesn't always express himself perfectly in words, his actions are demonstration enough that the profundity of loss isn't beyond his tender grasp. In his own way, Jack comprehends the reality of missing someone who is gone more completely than do any of the others. I think that it's always losing someone―even if it's only the idea or possible threat of that loss―that allows us a realistic perspective on how big a hole that person fills in our lives. When one really ponders such a loss, it becomes easy to see the indispensable role that the person plays, what gaps will be left unfilled when one day he or she is gone. It's not always so easy for the full effect of that emotion to be felt when reading about a family losing someone in a book. The holes that will be left by the death of that person have to be demonstrated for us so that we can see and feel them ourselves, so that the loss will feel as profound as the losses that we have felt in our own lives. This is what Grandfather's Dance accomplishes so beautifully, and it's why the book will linger in the hearts and minds of readers for a very long time. I can't see how a better job could have been done of weaving the emotions of the story into the reader's own experiences, and the overall effect of the novel is significantly enhanced by it. When all is said and done, Patricia MacLachlan will probably best be remembered for the books of the Sarah, Plain and Tall cycle. This is her legacy, and what a powerful legacy it is to own. If she does, in fact, end up being best remembered for these five books, then Patricia MacLachlan will be thought of in future generations as a flawlessly sensitive portrayer of the prairie way of life, which will always be so important to the history of the United States. She will be thought of, too, as an author who clearly understood the souls of children to an extent that even the greatest juvenile authors rarely have attained, and served them tremendously through her writing all the way to the end of her life. When I was given the privilege of meeting Patricia MacLachlan in person, she signed my copy of her picture book All the Places to Love "To Josiah...with Love, Patricia MacLachlan". That is what her writing truly is, an expression of her love to young readers that will live on for as long as her books are still read. How wonderful is it that her stories are a love gift to us? Not all authors would give up such a piece of themselves, but that is why Patricia MacLachlan's books will always find a home in the hearts of sensitive children. My hope is that everyone who has read Sarah, Plain and Tall will eventually find themselves at the other end of the quintet, closing the back cover on Grandfather's Dance to complete the cycle and be able to fully understand, in the end, the gift that they have been given. There will never again be anything quite like it.
This is the last book Patricia MacLachlan wrote in the "Sarah, Plain and Tall" series. It focuses on Cassie, Jack and Grandpa John Witting. It tells the story of Jack, the five year old son of Jacob and Sarah Witting and his close relationship to his Grandpa John. It also tells the story of Anna Witting and her upcoming wedding. It starts out with the family getting the news that Anna is marrying her long time beau and that it time to get ready for a wedding. Cassie is excited and Jack is only b
What do You think about Grandfather's Dance (2006)?
The book Grandfather's Dance is meant for children in grades third through 6th. It has no pictures, and it is about a family and a wedding through the eyes of a young girl. The story is sad, and ends sadly but with symbolism. It shows the importance of family, and love and memories. The story is about a family who is coming back together in time for a wedding and with their grandfather who tells them many stories and cares deeply for the children and family. The story would be a good story for children to read aloud because the print is large and the chapters are fairly short. I would not read this book infront of a class, bceause of emotions that could be brought up with the sad endings. However it could also be a good opportunity to learn from those, even though it is an intimate story and would be better read one on one. It is realistic fiction, because the author tells the story from her life, and although she renamed the characters, they are still based upon her real life and family.
—Nikki Smith
Would get five stars if I saw more of the characters' responses to Anna's wedding and the death of Grandfather
—Sarah
In the final installment of the Sarah, Plain and Tall series Cassie narrates yet again as the family comes together for Anna's wedding. Cassie now has a younger brother, Jack, and they both love bonding with their grandfather. However, as his health fails they both learn how to enjoy loved ones while you can.This was a lovely conclusion to a beautiful series. It once again touches upon themes of family. This time it explores loss and how children deal with that. I am going to miss the Witting family. It was lovely to watch them grow and change. It amazes me how MacLachlan put so much into these short volumes.
—Molly
