Title: Head in the Clouds Author: Karen Witemeyer
ISBN: 9780764207563 Pages: 366
Publisher: Bethany House, Minnesota, 2010
ISBN: 9780764207563 Pages: 366
Publisher: Bethany House, Minnesota, 2010
Readers Annotation: Adelaide Proctor signs up as a governess for a five year old girl who has stopped speaking. Adelaide is surprised to find that life at Westcott Cottage is much more than she bargained for, as she develops feelings for the Englishman and sheepherder, Gideon.
Author Information:
Karen Witemeyer has a bachelor's and master's degree in Psychology from Abilene Christian University. She is also a member of American Christian Female Writers, Romance Writers of America, and the Texas Coalition of Authors. Some of her fiction pieces have been published in Focus on the Family children's magazine, and other articles for online publications and anthologies. Head in the Clouds is Karen's second novel.
Karen originally grew up in California, but moved to Texas after college when she met her husband, a deacon. Her new Texas life became the inspiration for her books. Presently, Witemeyer lives in Abilene, with her husband and three children.
Karen Witemeyer has a bachelor's and master's degree in Psychology from Abilene Christian University. She is also a member of American Christian Female Writers, Romance Writers of America, and the Texas Coalition of Authors. Some of her fiction pieces have been published in Focus on the Family children's magazine, and other articles for online publications and anthologies. Head in the Clouds is Karen's second novel.
Karen originally grew up in California, but moved to Texas after college when she met her husband, a deacon. Her new Texas life became the inspiration for her books. Presently, Witemeyer lives in Abilene, with her husband and three children.
http://www.karenwitemeyer.com/about_karen.html
Plot Summary:
After leaving her post as a school teacher, Adelaide decides to follow her heart to the big city to meet Henry, the traveling book salesman. But, her heart is quickly broken when she realizes he is married with a son, and that his romantic pretenses were false. An orphan, and unsure where to go next, Adelaide turns to her Christian faith and prays to G-d for divine assistance. He points her to a governess job in another Texas town, where she proves her worth and lands the job.
Isabelle, the ward of the Englishman and sheepherder Gideon Westcott, is her charge. Adelaide's priority is to help the five year old girl recover from the tragic deaths of both her parents, as Isabelle has not spoken a word since the tragedy. Immediately, using her sunny disposition and warm personality, Adelaide helps Isabelle come out of her shell. Gideon has tears in his eyes when he hears the two girls laughing together, something he hasn't heard in a long time. Gideon marvels at Adelaide's abilities, and progressively realizes that he is very much attracted to her. Adelaide feels that attraction as well, but worries that her romantic notions are obscuring the truth of the situation. Despite the dangers of living on a Texas Ranch, and the threat of Isabelle's murderous Uncle Reginald, Adelaide and Gideon learn a lot about each other and their true feelings.
Plot Summary:
After leaving her post as a school teacher, Adelaide decides to follow her heart to the big city to meet Henry, the traveling book salesman. But, her heart is quickly broken when she realizes he is married with a son, and that his romantic pretenses were false. An orphan, and unsure where to go next, Adelaide turns to her Christian faith and prays to G-d for divine assistance. He points her to a governess job in another Texas town, where she proves her worth and lands the job.
Isabelle, the ward of the Englishman and sheepherder Gideon Westcott, is her charge. Adelaide's priority is to help the five year old girl recover from the tragic deaths of both her parents, as Isabelle has not spoken a word since the tragedy. Immediately, using her sunny disposition and warm personality, Adelaide helps Isabelle come out of her shell. Gideon has tears in his eyes when he hears the two girls laughing together, something he hasn't heard in a long time. Gideon marvels at Adelaide's abilities, and progressively realizes that he is very much attracted to her. Adelaide feels that attraction as well, but worries that her romantic notions are obscuring the truth of the situation. Despite the dangers of living on a Texas Ranch, and the threat of Isabelle's murderous Uncle Reginald, Adelaide and Gideon learn a lot about each other and their true feelings.
Critical Evaluation:
The author accurately uses the vernacular of the time, even writing the prose in older English. These aspects lend a sense of realism to this historical fiction piece. While reading, one can 'hear' the main character speaking to G-d throughout book, accented by the italics. The book follows Adelaide's story for the most part, interspersed with some of Gideon's thoughts, so the reader gains complete insight into their relationship. Characterization clearly depicts a stubborn and strong-willed female protagonist, who is also warm and compassionate. The male protagonist is portrayed as brave and resolute, while simultaneously understanding and impassioned. Readers can feel the playfulness and chemistry between the main characters, as well as their devotion and faith to their religion. However, the author doesn't try to convert the reader, rather offers insight into how the character's faith plays a crucial role in their lives.
The author accurately uses the vernacular of the time, even writing the prose in older English. These aspects lend a sense of realism to this historical fiction piece. While reading, one can 'hear' the main character speaking to G-d throughout book, accented by the italics. The book follows Adelaide's story for the most part, interspersed with some of Gideon's thoughts, so the reader gains complete insight into their relationship. Characterization clearly depicts a stubborn and strong-willed female protagonist, who is also warm and compassionate. The male protagonist is portrayed as brave and resolute, while simultaneously understanding and impassioned. Readers can feel the playfulness and chemistry between the main characters, as well as their devotion and faith to their religion. However, the author doesn't try to convert the reader, rather offers insight into how the character's faith plays a crucial role in their lives.
Genre: Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction, Crossover
Curriculum Ties: American History - Late 1800's, Texas History - End of the 19th century
Booktalking Ideas:
1. Adelaide left her old life to be with someone she thought loved her. Have you ever left something important behind for a dream that didn't pan out?
2. Isabelle saw both her parents die in front of her by the time she was five years old, and as a result stopped talking. Do you know anyone who has been traumatized to such a large extent that it has affected the way they behave?
1. Adelaide left her old life to be with someone she thought loved her. Have you ever left something important behind for a dream that didn't pan out?
2. Isabelle saw both her parents die in front of her by the time she was five years old, and as a result stopped talking. Do you know anyone who has been traumatized to such a large extent that it has affected the way they behave?
Reading Level/Interest Age: 16+
Challenge Issue: none
Why I chose this item: When developing a comprehensive collection, I decided that it was important to include a book on faith and religion.
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