Have You Seen Luis Velez? by Catherine Ryan Hyde

"The world will still be a place where people do terrible things. But here's the thing about despair. We fall into despair when the terrible gangs up on us and we forget the world can also be wonderful. We just see terrible everywhere we look. So what you do for your friend is you bring up the wonderful, so both are side by side. The world is terrible and wonderful at the same time. One doesn't negate the other, but the wonderful keeps us in the game. It keeps us moving forward. And, I'm sorry to have to tell you this, Raymond, but that's as good as the world is going to get."

          -Mrs. G, from the novel

I loved this novel! After a few books with intense themes and disturbing plots, it was breath of fresh air. It rates a 5 from me.

Teenager Raymond Jaffe has two families and doesn't have a sense of belonging to either. When he learns his best friend is moving away, Raymond is devastated. But around this time, he meets Mildred Guterman, a blind 92-year-old neighbor when she asks him the title question, "Have you seen Luis Velez?" He soon learns Luis was a caregiver for Mrs. G and has been missing for several days. Because it's obvious that Mrs. G has been isolated and unable to do necessary errands on her own, Raymond takes it upon himself to replace Luis in helping her to the bank and market and even taking her out to eat. As the two bond, Raymond is compelled to try to locate Luis Velez. It is quite an undertaking since there are several men of that name in the area and not knowing an address, he must contact them one by one.

I began with a quote from Mrs. Guterman, but it was hard to choose just one. A Jewish immigrant who barely escaped the Nazis, she shared much wisdom with Raymond who, in turn, encourages her.

This novel is an endearing story of a surprising friendship. I will find another novel by this author. I look forward to hearing reactions of the other Page Turners. More after the meeting....

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When Page Turners met, 14 gathered plus one participating by phone. The book was well-liked earning an average of 4.5. This is the highest rated of the year by our group. I think everyone loved how Mrs. G and Raymond helped each other and how many other characters in the story were so kind and helpful to them. Although a couple of participants found some of the story unbelievable it was still very heartwarming. Some felt the novel could be very beneficial for young adult readers.

Toward the end of the story, there is a jury trial where racism raises its ugly head. This brought forth some good discussion of privilege, seeming to segue into our next book selection: The Hidden Roots of White Supremacy by Robert P. Jones.

I believe most of our group would recommend the novel.