Patricia MacLachlan

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Patricia MacLachlan's Latest Book

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  • Bibliography:
    61 Books (2 Series)
  • First Book:
    January 1980
  • Latest Book:
    April 2024
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Full Series List in Order

Barkus

1 - Barkus (Jun-2017)
2 - Barkus Dog Dreams (Aug-2018)

Sarah

1 - Sarah, Plain and Tall (Apr-1985)
2 - Skylark (Apr-1994)
3 - Caleb's Story (Sep-2001)
4 - More Perfect Than The Moon (Aug-2004)
5 - Grandfather's Dance (Jan-2008)

Multi-Author Series List

The Boxcar Children Beginning

The Aldens of Fair Meadow Farm (Sep-2012)

Book List in Order: 61 titles

  • Cassie Binegar

    After her grandfather's death, Cassie longs for an orderliness to life -' a pattern -' that doesn't exist among her raucous, loving family. But during an eventful summer by the sea, she begins to learn that some things do not stay the same forever. C...

  • Arthur, for the Very First Time

    • / General Fiction
    • Buy Buy

    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...

  • Mama One, Mama Two

  • Tomorrow's Wizard

    Newbery Medalist Patricia MacLachlan explores what happens when a wizard would rather be human. “Notable for its elliptical style, which fosters a feeling of wonder, and its warm, affectionate view of life.”--The Horn Book...

  • Seven Kisses in a Row

    It's not fair, Emma thinks, for her parents to go away (for five whole days) and leave her with an aunt and uncle she hardly knows. What if they don't like children? But Aunt Evelyn and Uncle Eliot like Emma and her brother, Zachary, just fine. They ...

  • Through Grandpa's Eyes

    From Patricia MacLachlan, beloved author of the Newbery Medal"winning Sarah, Plain and Tall, comes a touching story that teaches children how to look at the world in different ways.

    John’s favorite house is his grandfather’s -- not be...

  • Unclaimed Treasures

    Oh, to do something special, something extraordinary! That, and to find a true love.... Willa does fall in love, but it isn't at all the way she dreamed it would be. And just what is extraordinary? Willa and twin brother Nicky's mother is going to h...

  • Sarah, Plain and Tall

    Sarah - 1

    "Did Mama sing every day?" Caleb asks his sister Anna. "Every-single-day," she answers. "Papa sang, too." Their mother died the day after Caleb was born. Their house on the prairie is quiet now, and Papa doesn't sing anymore. Then Papa puts an ...

  • 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 peace...



  • Journey

    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...

  • Baby

    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....

  • Skylark

    Sarah - 2

    My mother, Sarah, doesn't love the prairie. She tries, but she can't help remembering what she knew first. Sarah came to the prairie from Maine to marry Papa. But that summer, a drought turned the land dry and brown. Fires swept across the fields...

  • All the Places to Love

    A picture book celebration of love by the Newbery Medal"winning author, Patricia MacLachlan, with luminous paintings by Mike Wimmer.

    Within the sanctuary of a loving family, baby Eli is born and, as he grows, learns to cherish the people a...

  • Three Names

  • What You Know First

    Mama and Papa say it's time to leave the prairie, to start over somewhere new. But what about all that will be left behind? Things as familiar as a heartbeat -- an ocean of grass, an endless sky, a cottonwood tree. How do you remember those things...

  • It's Fine to Be Nine

    Gathers selections from stories by Judy Blume, Clyde Robert Bulla, Beverly Cleary, Terri Fields, Johanna Hurwitz, Astrid Lindgren, Patrical MacLachlan, Colleen O'Shaughnessy McKenna, Patricia C. McKissack, Daniel Pinkwater, Susan Shreve, and Jerry Sp...

  • The Sick Day

    Everybody has good days and bad days. Today Emily is having a sick day. Her stomach aches and her throat feels sore. Fortunately Father is home to take care of her. He puts Emily to bed and tucks her in with her stuffed animals. But Emily wants more....

  • Caleb's Story

    Sarah - 3

    Anna has done something terrible. She has given me her journal to fill. In Anna′s journal the words walk across the page like bird prints in the mud. But it is hard for me. It is hard for me to find things to write about. "It′s your job now," A...

  • Bittle

    Happy with their simple lives around the home, Nigel the cat and Julia the dog find the arrival of Bittle the baby to be an exciting addition and so tend to her with all the love, affection, and care they can offer....



  • More Perfect Than The Moon

    Sarah - 4

    Cassie spends her days watching Grandfather and Caleb in the barn. She's an observer, a writer, a storyteller. Everything is as it should be. But change is inevitable, and just as life changes, people change too. And Cassie learns surprises can brin...

  • Who Loves Me?

    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 lit...

  • Painting the Wind

    A moving and beautifully illustrated book about summer on one special island.

    Bestselling author Patricia MacLachlan teams up with her daughter Emily to create this evocative story of a boy and his dog, waiting for summer, waiting to learn ...

  • Baby/Journey

    Newbery Award Winner Patricia MacLachlan explores the healing powers of language, memory, and love in her acclaimed novels about family ties.

    Baby: When 12-year-old Larkin discovers a baby sitting in a basket in her family's driveway, Larkin's...

  • Edward's Eyes

    Jake is a part of an extraordinary family. He has a life filled with art, music, and long summer nights on the Cape. He has hours and days and months of baseball. But, more than anything in this world, Jake knows he has Edward. From the moment he wa...

  • Fiona Loves the Night

    When nighttime comes, Fiona steps outside into her garden to view the natural beauty and wonderful creatures, including the Luna moth and bright fireflies, that can only be viewed and appreciated in the dark of night. 45,000 first printing....

  • Grandfather's Dance

    Sarah - 5

    The fifth book in the series that began with the Newbery Medal"winning Sarah, Plain and Tall by Patricia MacLachlan.Jack leans back on Grandfather's shoulder. Aunt Mattie's knitting needles click in the dark. The moon rises. The candle flickers in ...

  • The True Gift

    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: ...

  • Once I Ate a Pie

    It's a dog's life! Every dog has a tail to wag . . . and a tale to tell. Patricia MacLachlan and Emily MacLachlan Charest asked a collection of canines to speak up -- and so they do, in words, barks, and yips. Captured here are accounts of happy ...

  • Word After Word After Word

    Every school day feels the same for fourth graders Lucy and Henry and Evie and Russell and May. Then Ms. Mirabel comes to their class -- bringing magical words and a whole new way of seeing and understanding. From beloved author Patricia MacLachl...



  • Before You Came

    Before you came . . . This gentle, wonder-filled celebration is the perfect book for parents, children, and all those who have discovered the joy of sharing their world with someone new. Luminous artwork by Caldecott Medalist David Diaz brings...

  • Your Moon, My Moon

    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. ...

  • Waiting for the Magic

    When William's father leaves, his mother promptly goes out and adds four dogs and a cat to their lives. William's sure that nothing can fill the hole left by his father, but the new additions to the family are determined to help, and with his sister,...

  • Lala Salama: A Tanzanian Lullaby

    For sleepy little ones everywhere, Newbery Medalist Patricia MacLachlan offers a lyrical Tanzanian lullaby that follows a loving family through their day. The rhythm of the day's activities creates the melody of the evening's lullaby in this sweet...

  • 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...

  • The Aldens of Fair Meadow Farm

    The Boxcar Children Beginning

    Before they were the Boxcar Children, Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny Alden lived with their parents at Fair Meadow Farm. Although times are hard, they're happy--"the best family of all," Mama likes to say. One day, a blizzard hits the countryside, ...

  • Boxcar Children Beginning 10 Copy Mixed Display

    Boxcar point of purchase display including six copies of The Boxcar Children Beginning: The Aldens of Fair Meadow Farm (ISBN 978-0-8075-6616-9)by Patricia MacLachlan and four copies of The Boxcar Children (ISBN 978-0-8075-0852-7) by Gertrude Chandler...

  • Cat Talk

    Princess Sheba Darling is a beauty queen. Romeo is a lover. Tuck knows the coziest spots to sleep. Eddie has a job to do. From cuddler to troublemaker, kitten to tom, cats have a lot to say. Authors Patricia MacLachlan and Emily MacLachlan Char...

  • Nora's Chicks

    From Newbery Medalist Patricia MacLachlan comes a reassuring story about new beginnings and making friends. Nora and her family have just arrived from Russia and are making a new home on the American frontier. The prairie is very different from th...

  • White Fur Flying

    ZOE'S FAMILY RESCUES DOGS IN NEED. There is always the sweet smell of dog and a warm body looking to cuddle or play. There is always a new dog to be saved, and loved. Fur flies everywhere. It covers everything. Zoe's house is never silent. The hou...



  • The Truth of Me

    Patricia MacLachlan, Newbery Medal-winning author of Sarah, Plain and Tall, is celebrated for making emotions accessible to children through her gentle writing style. She brings this gift, as well as her talent for writing about families, to the chap...

  • You Were the First

    You will always be the first... A touching tribute to baby's early milestones -- those unforgettable moments that will always be cherished. From first smiles to first cuddles and even to that first kiss, here's a loving ode to every child's -- and...

  • Snowflakes Fall

    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 o...

  • Fly Away

    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. Everyone in Lucy’s family sings. Opera. Rap. Lullabies. Everyone, except Lucy. Lucy can’t sing; her ...

  • The Moon's Almost Here

    Newbery medalist Patricia MacLachlan and Caldecott Honor and Newbery Honor winner Tomie dePaola have joined forces to create a stunning and lyrical new bedtime picture book that’s sure to become an instant classic. The moon’s almost here. Rob...

  • 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 l...

  • Barkus

    Barkus - 1

    Meet Barkus. Barkus is loyal. Barkus is generous. Barkus is family. The exuberant Barkus and his lucky young owner whirl and twirl across the pages of this delightful pre-chapter book series from award-winning author Patricia MacLachlan. The acces...

  • Just Dance

    From Newbery Award-winning author Patricia MacLachlan comes a lyrical coming-of-age story about finding your own voice while learning to understand the people you love the most. Sylvie Bloom wants to find something new and exciting this summer -- ...

  • Barkus Dog Dreams

    Barkus - 2

    Barkus is back! With new tricks. New friends. And lots more fun. The lovable Barkus and his lucky young owner romp through the pages of this delightful series from Newbery Medal-winning author Patricia MacLachlan. The simple text told in short cha...

  • My Father's Words

    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. Declan O’Brien always had a gentle word to...



  • Chicken Talk

    The chickens on the farm have a message for their farm owners! They’re tired of arugula salad, how about putting a fan in their hot coop, and HEY -- watch out for that snake in your tent. As the children walk around their beloved farm, they disc...

  • Dream Within a Dream

    A young girl finds herself -- and so much more -- during a summer stay with her grandparents in this tender novel from Newberry Award-winning author Patricia MacLachlan. When Louisa (short for Louisiana) is sent to stay with her grandparents for t...

  • The Hundred-Year Barn

    Newbery Medal-winning author Patricia MacLachlan’s poignant text and award-winning artist Kenard Pak’s gentle and rustic illustrations paint the picture of a beautiful red barn and the people who call it home. One hundred years ago, a little b...

  • My Friend Earth

    Celebrate Earth Day with this valentine to our wonderful planet from the Newbery Award-winning author of Sarah, Plain and Tall. Our friend Earth does so many wonderful things! She tends to animals large and small. She pours down summer rain and au...

  • Wondrous Rex

    Newbery Medal-winning author Patricia MacLachlan has written a magical and funny tale about the joy found in using words, sharing stories, and loving a wondrous dog: Rex. Grace’s aunt is a writer. She works with words every day and teaches Grace...

  • Prairie Days

    A delicate, stunning account of life on the prairie from Newbery medalist Patricia MacLachlan. Cool summer mornings begin with the rose orange sun and the smell of earth, and fade into hot summer nights with a yellow moon, covered in a quilt of st...

  • When Grandfather Flew

    In this moving evocation of love and loss by a Newbery Medalist, a grieving boy remembers his grandfather by thinking of the hobby they shared. Milo's grandfather is fascinated with birds. He admires their freedom and never loses an opportunit...

  • A Secret Shared

    Newbery Medal-winning author Patricia MacLachlan paints a moving portrait of what it means to be a family, the power of love, and the importance of bringing the truth out into the light, in this beautiful and profound story about adoption. Nora an...

  • My Life Begins!

    From the celebrated author of Sarah, Plain and Tall, Patricia MacLachlan, comes another humorous and poignant early middle grade novel. My Life Begins! explores how life begins for Jacob when his triplet sisters are born, and how siblings get to know...

  • My Poet

    Inspired by the life and craft of Mary Oliver, My Poet celebrates the joy of connecting perception and experience with words, with glowing artwork by Jen Hill and profound text by Newbery Medal-winning author Patricia MacLachlan.Patricia MacLachlan h...

  • Snow Horses

    From Newbery Medal"winning author Patricia MacLachlan comes a cozy picture book of love, light, and community during New Year’s and taking the past with us as we step into the future, brought to life with tender and intricate cut paper illustrati...

  • Painting the Game

    In this middle grade novel by Newbery Award"winning author Patricia MacLachlan in her “signature lyric language delivered in spare but satisfying prose” (Booklist), a young girl tries to untangle her love of baseball from her complicated relati...

Award-Winning Books by Patricia MacLachlan

Baby
1995 South Carolina Childrens, Junior and Young Adult Book Award -- Junior Book
Once I Ate a Pie
2006 Irma S. & James H. Black Award -- Children's Literature
2008 Beehive Award -- Poetry
2009 Virginia Readers Choice Award -- Primary
2010 Young Hoosier Book Award -- Picture Book
Sarah, Plain and Tall
1986 Newbery Medal -- Children's
1986 Scott O Dell Award for Historical Fiction -- Historical Fiction
1988 Garden State Children's Book Award -- Children's Fiction


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Patricia MacLachlan has published 61 books.

Patricia MacLachlan does not have a new book coming out soon. The latest book, Painting the Game, was published in April 2024.

The first book by Patricia MacLachlan, Cassie Binegar, was published in January 1980.

Yes. Patricia MacLachlan has 2 series.
Author Series
Multi-Author Series
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