What is the author's style in Sarah, Plain and Tall by Patricia MacLachlan?

The point of view is the eldest child's, Anna's, throughout the book, although the narration is delivered in the third person. Anna is a reticent young lady. She takes after her father, who does not verbalize his feelings often. The reader is thus forced to interpret how Anna feels about things based upon her reactions to the events of the story, particularly her reactions to her voluble little brother's many questions and concerns. Caleb, unlike Anna, is always ready to voice his emotions, particularly his fears about Sarah leaving them. While Anna does not verbally share this feeling, she bursts into tears nearly every time Caleb worries aloud that Sarah might leave.

Anna's point of view is somewhat unreliable, only because she is too young to properly interpret the warm, loving signals that Sarah gives off to the family. Anna sees the facts clearly, but she does not understand their meaning. If she did, she might not be so worried about the possibility of Sarah's leaving. Anna notices many signs that the reader interprets as positive, such as the growing closeness between Sarah and Papa, and the many ways in which Sarah makes herself useful on the farm and in the house. However, Anna does not take comfort from these signs, because her point of view, like her little brother's, is too clouded with fear for her to see clearly.