[5] It was followed by four sequels exploring the Witting family after Sarah's arrival called Skylark, Caleb's Story, More Perfect Than the Moon, and Grandfather's Dance.

Jacob Witting, a widowed farmer who is still saddened by the death of his wife during childbirth several years before, finds that the task of taking care of his farm and two children, Anna and Caleb, is too difficult for him to handle alone.

Sarah Wheaton of Maine answers it and decides to travel to their home for a trial period of one month, in hopes of marrying Jacob.

"[10] In a 2022 article, Patricia MacLachlan reflected on the enduring legacy of the book, attributing its vitality to the ongoing connection with the children who continue to read it.

[9] She shared that she regularly receives letters from children expressing their love for it, and some visit her home to give her drawings inspired by it, illustrating the impact it holds for them.

[9] In 1986, Patricia MacLachlan received the Newbery Medal for the book, an accolade recognizing outstanding contributions to American literature for children.

[7] Recognizing the need for a broader perspective, some institutions like the American Library Association, suggest pairing it with contemporary works such as Prairie Lotus (2020) by Linda Sue Park or The Many Reflections of Miss Jane Deming (2017) by J. Anderson Coats.

It ran off-Broadway at the Lucille Lortel Theatre during summer 2002 with a cast that included Becca Ayers as Sarah and John Lloyd Young as Caleb.

It also ran at the O'Neill Theater Center in Waterford, Connecticut in August 2003, with direction by Joe Calarco and featuring Kaitlin Hopkins.