Patricia MacLachlan
Encyclopedia
Patricia MacLachlan is a bestselling U.S.
children's author, best known for winning the 1986 Newbery Medal
for her book Sarah, Plain and Tall
. The book was later turned into a TV movie starring Glenn Close
and Christopher Walken
.
MacLachlan was born in Cheyenne, Wyoming. She lived in Wyoming and Minnesota before moving East. She lost both parents at early ages. After graduating from University of Connecticut
, she became an English teacher. She and her husband Robert MacLachlan have three children. During this time, she wrote a series of journal articles on adoption and foster mothers that had a major impact on her life. She says, "It was clear to me that much of the focus of my writing was sharpened by my involvement and concern for families and children. This interest, coupled with my commitment to children's literature, provided the basis for my decision to write for children--something I had always wanted to do."
She now lives in Williamsburg, Massachusetts
with her husband.
MacLachlan is also a board member of the National Children's Book and Literacy Alliance
, a national not-for-profit that actively advocates for literacy, literature, and libraries.
Her current projects include two books she's co-written with her daughter, Emily MacLachlan: Bittle and Painting the Wind. Other books by her include Edward's Eyes, The Facts and Fictions of Minna Pratt, Arthur for the Very First Time, and Baby
, which was also adapted into a film.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
children's author, best known for winning the 1986 Newbery Medal
Newbery Medal
The John Newbery Medal is a literary award given by the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association . The award is given to the author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children. The award has been given since 1922. ...
for her book Sarah, Plain and Tall
Sarah, Plain and Tall
Sarah, Plain and Tall is a children's book written by Patricia MacLachlan, and the winner of the 1986 Newbery Medal and the 1986 Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction. It explores themes of loneliness, abandonment, and coping with change....
. The book was later turned into a TV movie starring Glenn Close
Glenn Close
Glenn Close is an American actress and singer of theatre and film, known for her roles as a femme fatale Glenn Close (born March 19, 1947) is an American actress and singer of theatre and film, known for her roles as a femme fatale Glenn Close (born March 19, 1947) is an American actress and...
and Christopher Walken
Christopher Walken
Christopher Walken is an American stage and screen actor. He has appeared in more than 100 movies and television shows, including Joe Dirt, Annie Hall, The Deer Hunter, The Prophecy trilogy, The Dogs of War, Sleepy Hollow, Brainstorm, The Dead Zone, A View to a Kill, At Close Range, King of New...
.
MacLachlan was born in Cheyenne, Wyoming. She lived in Wyoming and Minnesota before moving East. She lost both parents at early ages. After graduating from University of Connecticut
University of Connecticut
The admission rate to the University of Connecticut is about 50% and has been steadily decreasing, with about 28,000 prospective students applying for admission to the freshman class in recent years. Approximately 40,000 prospective students tour the main campus in Storrs annually...
, she became an English teacher. She and her husband Robert MacLachlan have three children. During this time, she wrote a series of journal articles on adoption and foster mothers that had a major impact on her life. She says, "It was clear to me that much of the focus of my writing was sharpened by my involvement and concern for families and children. This interest, coupled with my commitment to children's literature, provided the basis for my decision to write for children--something I had always wanted to do."
She now lives in Williamsburg, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
with her husband.
MacLachlan is also a board member of the National Children's Book and Literacy Alliance
National Children's Book and Literacy Alliance
National Children's Book and Literacy Alliance is an American non-profit organization that advocates on behalf of literacy, literature, and libraries for young people...
, a national not-for-profit that actively advocates for literacy, literature, and libraries.
Her current projects include two books she's co-written with her daughter, Emily MacLachlan: Bittle and Painting the Wind. Other books by her include Edward's Eyes, The Facts and Fictions of Minna Pratt, Arthur for the Very First Time, and Baby
Baby (novel)
Baby is a 1995 novel by Patricia MacLachlan. It explores the themes of family and abandonment while offering a touching novel about a family who discovers a baby and has to care for it...
, which was also adapted into a film.
Sarah, Plain and Tall Series
- Sarah, Plain and TallSarah, Plain and TallSarah, Plain and Tall is a children's book written by Patricia MacLachlan, and the winner of the 1986 Newbery Medal and the 1986 Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction. It explores themes of loneliness, abandonment, and coping with change....
(April 1985)- Winner of 1986 Newbery MedalNewbery MedalThe John Newbery Medal is a literary award given by the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association . The award is given to the author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children. The award has been given since 1922. ...
- Winner of 1986 Newbery Medal
- Skylark (book)Skylark (book)Skylark is a 1994 book by Patricia MacLachlan, the sequel to Sarah, Plain and Tall, which won the Newbery Medal. In it a severe drought forces Sarah to take Anna and Caleb back to Maine while Jacob stays behind on the farm. There are five books in this series...
(March 1994) 2011 - Caleb's Story (October 2001)
- More Perfect Than the Moon (2004)
- Grandfather's Dance (2006)
Other works
- Through Grandpa's Eyes (March 1980)
- Mama One Mama Two (1982)
- Tomorrow's Wizard (1982)
- Cassie Binegar (October 1982)
- Seven Kisses in the Row (March 1983)
- Unclaimed Treasure (July 1987)
- Arthur, For the Very First Time (October 1987)
- The Facts and Fictions of Minna Pratt (July 1988)
- Journey (September 1991)
- Three Names (September 1991)
- Baby (October 1993)
- All the Places to Love (May 1994)
- What You Know First (September 1995)
- The Sick Day (April 2001)
- Edward's Eyes (August 2007)
- True Gift: A Christmas Story (October 2009)