Pay It Forward author releases young readers’ edition
Catherine Ryan Hyde’s books
Several of Catherine Ryan Hyde’s are set in the Central Coast
Catherine Ryan Hyde, an author who lives in Cambria, is well known for her early novel, “Pay It Forward,” which was set in Atascadero, although the movie starring Kevin Spacey, Helen Hunt and Haley Joel Osmond was set in Las Vegas. On Aug. 19, a young readers’ edition of “Pay It Forward” was released.
“The Young Readers’ edition is a project I did in connection with Simon & Schuster,” Hyde said. “Working with Paula Wiseman, an editor of children’s books, I edited the book down to a solid G rating, so it can now be read by kids as young as 8. We’re hoping it will be brought into classrooms and that it can make a difference.”
While many people have seen the film and are familiar with the story, unless they have read the book, the San Luis Obispo County connection is missed. Many of Hyde’s 26 novels are set in California, with several set on the Central Coast.
“A big section of ‘The Day I Killed James’ was set in Cambria and Ragged Point, and at the Hearst Castle,” Hyde said. “In Becoming Chloe, I brought the characters right through my neighborhood — up Highway 1 — to Leffingwell Landing, then on to Big Sur. ‘Love in the Present Tense’ was set in a coastal town north of L.A. and Santa Barbara, but I let it be somewhat of a fictional place. ‘In Diary of a Witness’ the kids go fishing off Leffingwell Landing but I don’t mention the town of Cambria by name. I do mention a couple of local spots such as Camozzi’s and the West End Bar & Grill, so locals will know.”
Hyde’s latest novel, “Take Me With You,” was released on July 22 and has been in the top 25 in Kindle since its release. Her next novel, “The Language of Hoofbeats,” will be released in December.
