Most Popular Books by Patricia MacLachlan

release date: Jan 01, 2003

"Did Mama sing every day?" Caleb asks his sister Anna."Every-single-day," she answers. "Papa too."

Waiting for the Magic

release date: Sep 13, 2011

When Papa goes away for a little while, his family tries to cope with the separation by adopting four dogs and a cat.

The Facts and Fictions of Minna Pratt

Minna wishes for many things. She wishes she understood the quote taped above her mother's typewriter:Fact and fiction are different truths. She wishes her mother would stop writing long enough to really listen to her. She wishes her house were peaceful and orderly like her friend Lucas's. Most of all, she wishes she could find a vibrato on her cello and play Mozart the way he deserves to be played. Minna soon discovers that some things can't be found-they just have to happen. And as she waits for her vibrato to happen, Minna begins to understand some facts and fictions about herself.

All the Places to Love

Beautifully illustrated children's picture books

A young boy describes the favorite places that he shares with his family on his grandparents' farm and in the nearby countryside.

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Kindred Souls

Jake's grandfather, Billy, hears the talk of birds, is eighty-eight years old, and is going to live forever. Even when Billy gets sick, Jake knows that everything will go on as always. But there's one thing Billy wants: to rebuild the sod house where he grew up. Can Jake give him this one special thing?

From beloved author Patricia MacLachlan comes a poignant story about what we do for the ones we love, and how the bonds that hold us together also allow us to let each other go.

The Iridescence of Birds: A Book About Henri Matisse

by: Patricia MacLachlan, Hadley Hooper

If you were a boy named Henri Matisse who lived in a dreary town in northern France, what would your life be like? Would it be full of color and art? Full of lines and dancing figures?

Find out in this beautiful, unusual picture book about one of the world's most famous and influential artists by acclaimed author and Newbery Medal-winning Patricia MacLachlan and innovative illustrator Hadley Hooper.

A Neal Porter Book

Sarah, Plain and Tall 30th Anniversary Edition

This Newbery Medal-winning book and children's literature classic is perfect for fans of Laura Ingalls Wilder's Little House on the Prairie books, historical fiction, and timeless stories using rich and beautiful language. Sarah, Plain and Tall gently explores themes of abandonment, loss, and love. The 30th Anniversary edition includes author Patricia MacLachlan's Newbery speech, a discussion guide, and a reading list.

Set in the late nineteenth century and told from young Anna's point of view, Sarah, Plain and Tall tells the story of how Sarah Elisabeth Wheaton comes from Maine to the prairie to answer Papa's advertisement for a wife and mother. Before Sarah arrives, Anna and her younger brother, Caleb, wait and wonder. Will Sarah be nice? Will she sing? Will she stay?

Correlates to the Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts

The True Gift

by: Patricia MacLachlan, Brian Floca

Experience the magic of authentic giving in this holiday classic from the Newbery Award–winning author of Sarah, Plain and Tall.

All year long Lily and Liam look forward to the holidays at their grandparents' farm. It's always the perfect trip: walking to the lilac library, trimming the tree, giving gifts. But this year, thanks to a white cow alone in the meadow, things will be different. This holiday, Lily and Liam will find out the meaning of a special gift.

This holiday classic from a beloved author rings in the season by celebrating the joys of family, community, and true giving.

The Poet's Dog

From Newbery Medal winner Patricia MacLachlan comes a poignant story about two children, a poet, and a dog and how they help one another survive loss and recapture love.

Teddy is a gifted dog. Raised in a cabin by a poet named Sylvan, he grew up listening to sonnets read aloud and the comforting clicking of a keyboard. Although Teddy understands words, Sylvan always told him there are only two kinds of people in the world who can hear Teddy speak: poets and children.

Then one day Teddy learns that Sylvan was right. When Teddy finds Nickel and Flora trapped in a snowstorm, he tells them that he will bring them home—and they understand him. The children are afraid of the howling wind, but not of Teddy's words. They follow him to a cabin in the woods, where the dog used to live with Sylvan . . . only now his owner is gone.

As they hole up in the cabin for shelter, Teddy is flooded with memories of Sylvan. What will Teddy do when his new friends go home? Can they help one another find what they have lost?

Journey

by: Patricia Maclachlan

release date: Aug 01, 1993

Journey is eleven the summer his mother leaves him and his sister, Cat, with their grandparents. He is sad and angry, and spends the summer looking for the clues that will explain why she left. Journey searches photographs for answers. He hunts family resemblances in Grandma''s albums. Looking for happier times, he tries to put together the torn pieces of the pictures his mother shredded before her departure. And he also searches the photographs his grandfather takes as the older man attempts to provide Journey with a past. In the process, the boy learns to look and finds that, for him, the camera is a means of finding things his naked eye has missed--things like inevitability of his mother''s departure and the love that still binds his family.

My Father's Words

release date: Oct 02, 2018

Patricia MacLachlan, beloved author of the Newbery Medal-winning Sarah, Plain and Tall, has crafted another lyrical and touching novel for young readers about finding hope after the loss of a loved one. This middle grade novel is an excellent choice for tween readers in grades 5 to 6, especially during homeschooling. It’s a fun way to keep your child entertained and engaged while not in the classroom. Declan O’Brien always had a gentle word to share, odd phrases he liked to repeat, and songs to sing while he played basketball. His favorite song was "Dona Nobis Pacem," “Grant Us Peace.” His family loved him deeply and always knew they were loved in return. But a terrible accident one day changes their lives forever, and Fiona and Finn O’Brien are left without a father. Their mother is at a loss. What words are there to guide them through such overwhelming grief? At the suggestion of their friend Luke, Fiona and Finn volunteer at an animal rescue shelter, where they meet two sweet dogs who are in need of comfort, too. Perhaps with time, patience, and their father’s gentle words in their hearts, hope will spark once more. * Junior Library Guild Selection * Bank Street Best Children''s Book of the Year 2019 (9-12) *

Fly Away

release date: Apr 08, 2014

From the Newbery Award–winning author of Sarah, Plain and Tall comes a story about one brave girl who saves her family from losing everything. In a starred review, Publishers Weekly calls this lyrical tale “melodic, poetic, and enchanting.” Everyone in Lucy’s family sings. Opera. Rap. Lullabies. Everyone, except Lucy. Lucy can’t sing; her voice won’t come out. Just like singing, helping Aunt Frankie prepare for flooding season is a family tradition—even if Frankie doesn’t want the help. And this year, when the flood arrives and danger finds its way into the heart of Lucy’s family, Lucy will need to find her voice to save her brother. “Filled with little moments of quiet wisdom and gentle humor, Newbery winner MacLachlan''s story about family love soars” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review).

Dream Within a Dream

release date: May 07, 2019

A Publishers Weekly Best Book of 2019! A young girl finds herself—and so much more—during a summer stay with her grandparents in this tender novel from Newbery Award–winning author Patricia MacLachlan. When Louisa (short for Louisiana) is sent to stay with her grandparents for the summer, she’s not looking forward to it. While her brother is determined to find a way to stay on Deer Island forever, Louisa would rather be off having adventures with their globetrotting ornithographer parents. She’s a writer, and there’s nothing on all of Deer Island to write about—right? Louisa quickly discovers that small doesn’t necessarily mean quiet, and the island has plenty of scope for the imagination. It also has George, the boy who helps her see the world in a whole new light. The end of summer is coming fast, and Louisa must decide what she really wants: travel the world with her parents, or stay on Deer Island with the people she’s only just learning to love?

Baby

by: Patricia Maclachlan

release date: Aug 01, 1995

Larkin''s family welcomes Sophie into their home, caring for her and teaching her games and new words. They come to love this baby as their own, all the while knowing that eventually Sophie''s mother will return one day to take her from them.

Your Moon, My Moon

release date: Aug 16, 2011

For many children who live far away from their grandparents, it can be hard to understand why they can''t always be together. Patricia MacLachlan has created a bridge to close the distance by finding connections in memories and the moon they share. A beautiful, lyrical poem coupled with Bryan Collier''s rich collages, Here and There celebrates the importance of staying close to your family, even across thousands of miles.

Someone Like Me

release date: Jul 03, 2017

If you were a little girl who listened to stories over and over and over; and who read books every night, every day, even as her mother led her across the street, You might be me, a writer. Follow a little girl in acclaimed writer Patricia MacLachlan''s semi-autobiographical picture book, Someone Like Me. Filled with gorgeous and thoughtful illustrations by Chris Sheban, learn what it might take to grow up to become a writer. A Neal Porter Book

Word After Word After Word

release date: Jan 01, 2010

A visiting author teaches five friends about the power of words and writing.

The Truth of Me

release date: Jun 25, 2013

Patricia MacLachlan, Newbery Medal–winning author of Sarah, Plain and Tall, weaves a poignant story that celebrates how our unique "small truths" make each of us magical and brave in our own ways. When Robbie spends the summer at his grandmother Maddy''s house, he revels in his grandmother''s easy, relaxed ways. Robbie has always felt as if something is missing in his life—his parents don''t always act like they love him. Maddy helps him understand that an experience his mother had long ago is at the heart of the problem in his family. With this knowledge, Robbie finds the courage to try to make things right. Publishers Weekly Best Children''s Book ALA Booklist Notable Children''s Books Nominee New York Public Library''s 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing

Snowflakes Fall

by: Patricia Maclachlan

release date: Oct 29, 2013

In Snowflakes Fall, Newbery Medalist Patricia MacLachlan and award-winning artist Steven Kellogg portray life’s natural cycle: its beauty, its joy, and its sorrow. Together, the words and pictures offer the promise of renewal that can be found in our lives—snowflakes fall, and return again as raindrops so that flowers can grow. MacLachlan and Kellogg, who are longtime friends, were moved to collaborate on a message of hope for children and their families following the tragic events in Sandy Hook, Connecticut, on December 14, 2012. Kellogg lived in Sandy Hook for thirty-five years—he raised his family there and was an active member of the community. With Snowflakes Fall, they have created a truly inspiring picture book that is both a celebration of life and a tribute to the qualities that make each individual unique. In honor of the community of Sandy Hook and Newtown, Random House, the publisher of Snowflakes Fall, has made a donation to the Sandy Hook School Support Fund. Random House is also donating 25,000 new books to the national literacy organization First Book in the community’s honor and in support of children everywhere.

Arthur, For the Very First Time

release date: Jan 28, 1994

Arthur Rasby is ten years old and having the worst summer of his life. His parents don''t listen to him, so he writes everything down -- everything that''s real -- in his journal. But when he goes to stay with his Great-Aunt Elda and Great-Uncle Wrisby on their farm, his world is turned upside down. For the first time Arthur wonders what''s real and what''s not. His aunt and uncle do things Arthur''s parents would never do -- like climbing out windows to sit in trees, singing to their pet pig, and speaking French to a pet chicken. Life on the farm happens much too fast to write down -- sometimes wonderful, sometimes terrible. Arthur begins to understand there is more than one way of seeing and doing and loving. And he realizes there''s a whole world just waiting to be discovered.

Who Loves Me?

by: Patricia MacLachlan, Emily MacLachlan Charest

release date: May 03, 2005

A tender ode to unconditional love. A little girl asks the same question she must ask every night before drifting off to sleep...who loves me? The result is a soothing and tender good–night tale brimming with heart, in which a little girl learns of the enormous love that surrounds her. Beloved author Patricia MacLachlan gives voice to that most elemental need, the need for love. Newbery Medal winner Patricia MacLachlan''s words are brought to life by Amanda Shepherd''s playful and exquisitely painted illustrations. This inspired book of unconditional love and reassurance has all the makings of a classic. Ages 4 – 8

Caleb's Story

release date: Jan 01, 2002

The stranger lurking on the Witting family''s prairie farm turns out to be their long-lost grandfather, whose presence plus prodding from Sarah forces Jacob to deal with his past.

A Literature Kit for Sarah, Plain and Tall by Patricia MacLachlan

by: Nat Reed, Patricia MacLachlan

release date: Jan 01, 2009

A Literature Kit for Sarah, Plain and Tall by Patricia MacLachlan

White Fur Flying

release date: Mar 19, 2013