Skylark

Slight in length but not in its capacity to provoke thought, this carries on from the award-winning Sarah Plain and Tall. Longed-for rain doesn't come to the prairie and, despite their initial resilience, Caleb, Anna and their step-mother, Sarah, eventually concede that they must remove themselves to the latter's original home back east. Then the children understand for themselves the longing Sarah must have been suppressing for the green wetness of Maine. This is so beautifully written it wraps itself around you from start to finish. Highly recommended for serious readers.