Catherine Ryan Hyde Books in Order

Where to Start Reading Catherine Ryan Hyde

With a bibliography spanning dozens of books, deciding where to begin with Catherine Ryan Hyde can feel overwhelming. Fortunately, because she writes almost exclusively standalone novels, you have complete freedom to choose your own path. If you want the most rewarding entry points, we highly recommend starting with one of these three fan-favorites:

• Pay It Forward (1999): This is Hyde's breakout hit and signature novel. It follows a young boy named Trevor McKinney who launches a goodwill movement based on the concept of doing three major favors for others, who in turn must do the same. It is a powerful exploration of kindness and a perfect introduction to Hyde's empathetic storytelling.
• Have You Seen Luis Velez? (2019): A beautiful, contemporary story about the unlikely friendship between a lonely teenager named Raymond and his blind, ninety-two-year-old neighbor, Millie. When Millie's beloved caretaker, Luis Velez, suddenly vanishes, Raymond sets out to find him. It is one of Hyde's most beloved and highly rated books.
• When I Found You (2009): A heartfelt novel about Nathan McCann, a man who discovers an abandoned infant in the woods while hunting. Denied the right to adopt the baby himself, Nathan promises to always be there for him, leading to a complex, lifelong bond of mentorship, redemption, and chosen family.

The Chloe Duology: The Only True Sequel

While the vast majority of Catherine Ryan Hyde's books are entirely self-contained, there is one notable exception that readers of continuity should watch out for:

• Becoming Chloe (2006): This poignant young adult novel centers on Jordy, a teenager struggling on the streets of New York, and Chloe, a traumatized girl who believes the world is a completely ugly and cruel place. Together, they embark on a road trip across America to search for beauty and heal from their pasts.
• Always Chloe (2013): This sequel novella catches up with Jordy and Chloe as they build a quiet life together above a restaurant in Morro Bay, California. The story examines the delicate balance of love and independence when figures from their past re-emerge. Always Chloe was originally published as the anchor piece in a short story collection titled Always Chloe and Other Stories. While it can technically stand alone, reading Becoming Chloe first is highly recommended for the best emotional payoff.

Pay It Forward Companion Projects

Trevor McKinney's story in Pay It Forward spawned a massive real-world kindness movement, as well as a popular film adaptation starring Haley Joel Osment. Additionally, Hyde has released projects that tie directly into this themes:

• Paw It Forward (2014): Inspired by her real-life rescue dog, Ella, this children's picture book adapts the concept of random acts of kindness for a younger demographic. It shares stories of animals helping other animals and humans, acting as a gentle companion to her signature novel.

What to Know Before You Start

Hyde's writing focuses intensely on human resilience, recovery from trauma, and the concept of chosen family—relationships forged out of love and mutual support rather than biological obligation. Many of her books are set against the scenic, wide-open landscapes of the American Southwest and the coastal towns of California, which often mirror the emotional journeys of her characters. Because her books are independent, you can read them in chronological release order, or simply pick the synopsis that calls to you most.

Publication Order of Standalone Novels

If you prefer to follow the growth of Catherine Ryan Hyde's style over time, you can read her novels in order of publication. Her complete list of standalone novels, including her latest releases up to 2026, is listed below:

1. Funerals for Horses (1997)
2. Pay It Forward (1999)
3. Electric God / The Hardest Part of Love (2000)
4. Walter's Purple Heart (2002)
5. Becoming Chloe (2006)
6. Love in the Present Tense (2006)
7. The Year of My Miraculous Reappearance (2007)
8. Chasing Windmills (2008)
9. The Day I Killed James (2008)
10. Diary of a Witness (2009)
11. When I Found You (2009)
12. Second Hand Heart (2010)
13. Jumpstart the World (2010)
14. Dont Let Me Go (2011)
15. When You Were Older (2012)
16. Walk Me Home (2013)
17. Where We Belong (2013)
18. Take Me with You (2014)
19. The Language of Hoofbeats (2014)
20. Worthy (2015)
21. Ask Him Why (2015)
22. Leaving Blythe River (2016)
23. Say Goodbye for Now (2016)
24. Allie and Bea (2017)
25. The Wake Up (2017)
26. Heaven Adjacent (2018)
27. Just After Midnight (2018)
28. Have You Seen Luis Velez? (2019)
29. Stay (2019)
30. Brave Girl, Quiet Girl (2020)
31. My Name is Anton (2020)
32. Seven Perfect Things (2021)
33. Boy Underground (2021)
34. Dreaming of Flight (2022)
35. So Long, Chester Wheeler (2022)
36. Just a Regular Boy (2023)
37. A Different Kind of Gone (2023)
38. Life, Loss, and Puffins (2024)
39. Rolling Toward Clear Skies (2024)
40. Michael Without Apology (2025)
41. Falling Apart and Other Gifts From the Universe (2025)
42. Come Back to the World (2026)
43. The Other Kind of Lion (2026)

Short Story Collections

For readers who appreciate shorter fiction, Hyde has published several collections showcasing her early work and transitional stories:

• Earthquake Weather (1998)
• Always Chloe and Other Stories (2013)
• Subway Dancer (2013)

Non-Fiction Works

Hyde has also written non-fiction guides, memoirs, and photographic books reflecting her personal life, career struggles, and hobbies:

• How to be a Writer in the E-Age (2012) – Co-authored with industry blogger Anne R. Allen.
• The Long Steep Path (2013) – A memoir exploring her persistence through rejection.
• 365 Days of Gratitude (2014) – A collection of her photography capturing sunsets and wildlife.