Have You Seen Luis Velez?

Prolific author Hyde (Pay It Forward) has created another heartwarming story about how people treat one another badly but also how surprising human connections might fix the world. At 17, Raymond Jaffe is uncomfortable in his skin and doesn't fit in at school or in his two homes with either of his divorced parents. Mildred Gutermann, a 92-year-old blind neighbor, calls for help in his New York City walk-up, and, unlike everyone else, Raymond comes to her aid. He starts by rescuing a stray cat and is soon traveling all over the city meeting people while he's trying to find the old lady's former caretaker, Luis Velez. When he discovers Luis's tragic fate, his life opens up in new directions with new people who become his chosen family. Hyde's latest asks tough questions about how we care for one another and judge before we know people based on race, stereotypes, and prejudice.