Where the Heart Is by Billie Letts

The heartwarming story of 17 year old pregnant Novalee Nation. She leaves her small town home to go to California with her boyfriend Willy Jack. After a quick stop at a Walmart along the way, Novalee returns to where they had been parked only to discover that Willy has abandoned her at the Walmart.

Not knowing what else to do, she hides in the bathroom at closing and stays the night in the Walmart. One night turns to many as she has doesn't know anyone, has nowhere to go and only $7.77 in her wallet. She uses the food, clothing and other materials in the store to survive, keeping careful track of what she owes.

Novalee has her baby, a daughter named Americus, and begins to enjoy the odd little town and it's unusual but lovable townsfolk. She befriends Sister Thelma Husband a devout Christian, recovering alcoholic, and very friendly, if a bit odd, lady. Forney Hull is the local librarian who never got to finish his education as he had to care for his ill sister who takes an interest in Novalee and her baby daughter. Lexis Coop is a nurse at the local hospital who is unlucky in love but has five children and is always on the lookout for a new father for them, and becomes Novalee's best friend. The local portrait photographer at the Walmart gets her interested in photography, and this and all her new friends change her life forever.