Prelude.

In 1968, The Vanguard Press issued the L'Engle novel Prelude, an adaptation of the first half on L'Engle's novel 'Small Rain', which is a semi-autobiography about the many difficulties in the life of talented pianist Katherine Forrester between the ages of 10 and 19. 'Prelude's indicia page notes the book's provenance: "This book has been especially adapted for young people by the author from the first part of her novel, The Small Rain." Dedicated to L'Engle's father, Charles Wadsworth Camp (as is The Small Rain), Prelude covers the events of Katherine's life until Justin leaves the boarding school. The ending of Prelude is slightly more upbeat than the corresponding text in The Small Rain, with mutual promises that they will see each other again.