The novel that I read is Where the Heart Is by Billie Letts. The main character of this book is a seventeen-year-old, seven-month pregnant girl named Novalee. The story begins with her and her boyfriend Willy Jack driving out to California for his big music career break. Willy Jack portrays a typical "abusive boyfriend" role in the story. While driving out to California Novalee asks to stop at a Wal-Mart to stretch, and buy a couple things. Willy Jack ends up leaving her at Wal-Mart and driving away. Heartbroken, Novalee is forced to keep her and her baby alive with no food, no water, and no shelter. Novalee ends up spending night after night in Wal-Mart. She hides herself so that no one is able to see her. During her stay at Wal-mart, she begins a phase of taking pictures of everyone and everything. Her dream was to show her baby of her stay and her struggle at Wal-Mart. Novalee meets many people during her stay such as Benny Good luck, Moses White cotton, and her savior Forney Hull. Forney Hull aided with the birth of her child, and is the future love of her life. When her baby girl is born, she names her Americus Nation, aiming for a powerful title for her child. .
Novalee becomes very close to a family member name Sister Husband. Sister Husband helps her through her rough times, and gives her and Americus a place to stay. After a while with Sister Husband, there is a huge tornado. Sister Husband does not get to shelter soon enough, and is killed during the storm. After this tragedy, Novalee becomes close to a woman named Lexie along with her family. Later in the book, Lexie is a great encouragment for Novalee. She pushes Novalee to confess her love for Forney Hull. Forney Hull was a man Novalee had met at the birth of her child. He was a man who had a passion for books and knowledge. He owned a library, and would lend Novalee many interesting books. Forney ends up falling into a passionate love for Novalee.