More Perfect Than The Moon (2005) - Plot & Excerpts
I really think that this is the best one of the first four Sarah, Plain and Tall books. Patricia MacLachlan carefully rations out her writing for the limited space given to this story and tells it beautifully, with even more engaging emotion than is to be found in the first three books. Few authors are more skillful than Patricia MacLachlan at penning a sensitive and impactful story in so few words, and More Perfect than the Moon is an exquisite example of just how well Ms. MacLachlan can bring an idea to vivid life in only a few dozen pages. After the third book in this series, Caleb's Story, Caleb passed on the responsibility of keeping the family journal to the new youngest child, Cassie. Cassie is the first child born to the marriage union of Jacob and Sarah, Caleb and his older sister, Anna, having been born to their own Mama who died years before Sarah joined the family in the Newbery Medal-winning book Sarah, Plain and Tall. Cassie has a very different style of writing than her two siblings who previously kept the journal; she loves to make up stories and fill her notebook with ideas and imaginings of what might be and what she hopes will happen. In this way, she hopes that a few of her wishes may even have a chance of coming true. When Sarah becomes sick, Cassie gravely worries about her mother's health, but it turns out that it's not a serious health issue after all. Changes will be coming to Cassie's home, just as changes came for Anna and Caleb before, and the family will have to change and grow to keep up with what's going on around them. Cassie isn't sure that she likes the idea of things permanently changing in the comfortable home that she already knows, but perhaps she just doesn't yet realize that though her yearning for a perfect gift may not ever be completely fulfilled, a more than adequate substitute for perfection may illuminate new possibilities in her life that she'd never even known were there. Patricia MacLachlan has done a wonderful job with this book. The story is sweetly told and grand in its emotional simplicity, never straying from the path of winsome plainness set up in the previous three books. I couldn't have realistically expected more from this book than I got, and I would recommend More Perfect than the Moon with greater enthusiasm than I had for its predecessors. All told, there's a good chance that I would give this book the full three stars.
This is the story about Sarah and Jacob Whittings(from Sarah, Plain and Tall) first child together, Cassie. Cassie takes over journal writing about the Whitting farm from his older brother, Caleb who is too busy with the farm and school work to keep the journal. He gives it to Cassie and Cassie loves writing in the journal about all her hopes and dreams for the people in her family. She is really close to her grandfather who came to live with the family a couple of years ago. Cassie tends to fade into the background and become invisible so she is a perfect person to write about her family and what happens around the farm. The only person she can't ever hide from is her grandfather, John. One day, her Mom gets very sick and it scares Cassie. Her father and Caleb take Sarah to the doctor in town and while they are gone, Cassie writes in her journal that her Mom is healthy and she comes back with a wonderful present. A couple of hours later, her parents come back and her Mom looks healthy again. She tells her family what she wrote in her journal and they tell her that they do have a present. Sarah is going to have a baby. Cassie doesn't react well to the news and decides she hates the baby. She doesn't want another baby in the family. As time goes on and it comes time for her Mom to have the baby, she still isn't very happy about it. After the baby is born, Cassie does decides that she loves her new baby brother even if he is loud! I loved this story and I liked that I could learn more about the Whitting family and what has been happening in their lives. It's like learning about an old friend and finding out what happens to them. The writing is still easy to read and is a great read for middle school children. The only problem I had with this book was the attitude of Cassie. To me she seemed like a spoiled brat and I can't say that I love learning more about her attitude. She tended to be very strong willed and didn't listen very well to her parents. I did like the relationship that had developed between Cassie and her grandfather. That was a part of the book that I did enjoy. I guess the only problem I had was Cassie's personality. I didn't enjoy some of the book because Cassie was written so bratty.
What do You think about More Perfect Than The Moon (2005)?
More Perfect than the Moon by Patricia Mac Lachlan is the fourth book of the continuing heartwarming stories of Sarah Plain and Tall. I listened to the NON-PRINT engaging audio version of this story read by actress Glenn Close. This novel effectively captures the flavor of this simple historical story of life on the prairie and a family’s unconditional acceptance and love. This continued story features Cassie, the eight-year-old daughter of Sarah and Jacob. Cassie spends her days observing life
—N_patricia Brunner
This is the fourth in the Sarah, Plain and Tall series. I must admit, it was my least favorite, but still a sweet book. The main theme of the book is that the mom (Sarah) is going to have a baby and the narrator (a 3rd grader) is jealous/unhappy about it. Because I never felt that way and have never had my kids react that way, that whole idea always bothers me. However, I know that it does happen sometimes, and the resolution is handled beautifully. Still a good book, just not my favorite in the series.
—Cara
I've really been enjoying the "Sarah, Plain and Tall" series, but I think this might be my favourite. The responsibility for telling the Witting's story now has been passed on to Cassie who is about 7 or 8. Her storytelling 'voice' is very unique from what Anna's, and then Caleb's were. She has the childlike innocence that allows her to watch and imagine what people are doing, writing things in her journal that aren't categorically 'true', but are things that might be. I'm definitely looking forward to the next installment! :)
—Kate
