Catherine Ryan Hyde

About me:

In answer to some questions I've been getting, yes, this site is maintained by me personally (many thanks to Shooting Stars Magazine for helping me get it set up). It's not a fan site, and I didn't have it tossed up here by a publicist or an assistant. I'm out here just about every day, hoping to meet people who read. If you are such a person, message me. I will reply.

I'm the author of the new novels Diary of a Witness (Knopf '09) and When I Found You (Transworld UK '09), Chasing Windmills, The Day I Killed James, The Year of My Miraculous Reappearance, Love in the Present Tense, Becoming Chloe, Funerals for Horses, Earthquake Weather, Pay it Forward (adapted into a movie starring Kevin Spacey, Helen Hunt and Haley Joel Osment), Electric God (on its way to being a film), Walter's Purple Heart (could also be a film), and the forthcoming novels Jumpstart the World (Knopf, Oct '10) and Second Hand Heart (Transworld UK, Sept '10).

When I Found You video excerpt

Catherine Ryan Hyde | MySpace Video
Love in the Present Tense video excerpt

Catherine Ryan Hyde | MySpace Video Chasing Windmills video excerpt
Video excerpt of The Day I Killed James


Becoming Chloe video excerpt 2

GREAT REVIEWS OF MY BOOKS BY TEEN BOOK BLOGS:

"I found Becoming Chloe to be an intense and heartfelt book. There’s very little time spent on unneeded detail and I enjoyed reading about the experiences Jordy and Chloe share, This is one book I won’t be forgetting soon and I really hope you give it a chance too."
-HARMONY BOOK REVIEWS (CHLOE)

"This. Book. Is. Amazing. I don't know how else to put it. It's a wonderful read that gripped me from the beginning and did not let go until I finished it. This is one of the BEST books that I have read this year. Be warned: once you begin this book, no other tasks will be done until it is finished. Okay, now go out and buy it. Seriously. I'm waiting…"
-WRITER'S BLOCK REVIEWS (WINDMILLS)

"Every single character in this brilliant book is fully developed, with clear motives, goals, and senses of purpose. The book explores human relationships and fallibilities. What actions are forgivable, and which must be never be forgotten. The fragility of some relationships and the unexpectedly strong bonds that can be overlooked in others. Catherine Ryan Hyde uses words the way a musician uses an instrument…and what a beautiful and bittersweet song she’s composed!"
-YA BOOKS CENTRAL (WINDMILLS)

"Catherine Ryan Hyde's writing style is short and to-the-point, which I like. I'd recommend this book to both boys and girls. I think this would appeal mostly to teenagers, but it's also a good, quick read for adults."
-MRS MAGOO READS (JAMES)

"This book was simply amazing. Hyde proves her writing abilities and paints a vivid story with her words. I absolutely recommend this book. I loved it from start to finish and I love Hyde's writing style, quite personally."
-JANE of BOOKED!:JJP! (WINDMILLS)

"Overall, I thought the book was a great book. I enjoyed the style of writing and I think the author, Catherine Ryan Hyde, captured the emotion a person would go through when someone they care for commits suicide perfectly. I think if you haven't read this book you should, as it is a fantastic read."
-BOOK NYMPH (JAMES)

"Hyde did a remarkable job with 'The Day I Killed James.' The emotions were well-written and heartfelt and the storyline flowed smoothly though never without surprises. I commend Hyde and express my utmost pleasure at reading this fantastic YA novel. I cannot wait to read her other works."
-READRAVEREVIEW (JAMES)

"Love in the Present Tense is absolutely fantastic. Catherine Ryan Hyde explores complicated relationships, children growing up too quickly, and glimmers of light in the dark...I'd recommend this to pretty much everybody"
-MRS MAGOO READS (LOVE IN THE PRESENT TENSE)

PRINT REVIEWS:

DIARY OF A WITNESS

--Booklist said, "Hyde portrays Ernie, Will and their daily struggles with heartbreaking authenticity. Ernie wrestles between loyalty to his best friend and doing the right thing, and the resulting conflict creates an atmosphere of dread that increases to the dramatic conclusion. Closing with a hopeful resolution, this timely story is sure to get teens talking.

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WHEN I FOUND YOU (UK)

--From The Bookseller, "Author of the Richard & Judy pick, Love in the Present Tense, with an even better brand new book. It is the story of the life of a juvenile delinquent told in her sparse, economical style and is quite wonderful."

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THE DAY I KILLED JAMES

-- --Kirkus said, "Journal entries and brief chapters keep readers engaged...the quiet, powerful admonition permeates this novel: Be careful with other people’s hearts. Teens who have experienced crushing rejection or who have laughed at the ardent feelings of a classmate will devour this original, gripping story."
--VOYA said, "In this starkly told story of grief, guilt, loss and redemption, Hyde uses first-person diary entries and third-person narration to tell a deeply moving tale...the emotional honesty of the work will keep readers interested until the end. Anyone who has been hurt by someone they love or has hurt another carelessly will find an echo of self in this story."
--Kliatt said, "The provacative title of this novel will attract the attention of many a YA reader, and the carefully crafted unraveling of the events will keep them reading. Theresa's voice is both raw and witty, capturing the emotion and ambiguity of a young woman in pain, but it is the unwanted friendship with Georgia that helps her sort through responsibility and recovery."
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CHASING WINDMILLS

--Publisher's Weekly called it "Simple and Captivating," and said that "...while it is being billed as an adult novel, its closest sylistic relative is S.E. Hinton's YA classic The Outsiders."
--School Library Journal called it, "...a page-turning read" and said, "...the distinct voices are sweet, soul-baring, and honest. Hyde writes evocatively of the visceral nature of first love. The ending is realistic and satisfying. Chasing Windmills will appeal to teens who enjoy realistic fiction and a good story about relationships."
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THE YEAR OF MY MIRACULOUS REAPPEARANCE

--The Philadelphia Inquirer said, "This book is very close to perfect. It's hard for me to imagine anyone feeling too grown-up for this story."
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BECOMING CHLOE

--Kirkus called it, "Tender, amazingly hopeful," and "Gorgeous."
--Publishers Weekly called it, "Deeply affecting," and, "eloquent storytelling about how two troubled teens find redemption."
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LOVE IN THE PRESENT TENSE

--Daily Express (UK) called it, "A remarkable story of the magic of love."
--Publishers Weekly said, "Hyde excels in her story of a love that transcends time, place and human weakness."
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PAY IT FORWARD

There isn't enough space! Try:
THE PAY IT FORWARD FOUNDATION
THE PAY IT FORWARD MOVEMENT
THE PAY IT FORWARD PAGE OF CATHERINERYANHYDE.COM

MY WEBSITE

READ MORE ABOUT CHASING WINDMILLS AT RANDOM HOUSE.COM

READ MORE ABOUT THE UK EDITIONS AT RBOOKS.CO.UK

MORE INFO ON BACKLIST TITLES:

FUNERALS FOR HORSES

EARTHQUAKE WEATHER

ELECTRIC GOD

WALTER'S PURPLE HEART