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Becoming Chloe
Meet Jordy. He's on his own in New York City. Nobody to depend on; nobody depending on him. And it's been working fine.
Until this girl comes along. She's 18 and blond and pretty--her world should be perfect. But she's seen things no one should ever see in their whole life--the kind of things that break a person. She doesn't seem broken, though. She seems . . . innocent. Like she doesn't know a whole lot. Only sometimes she does.
The one thing she knows for sure is that the world is an ugly place. Now her life may depend on Jordy proving her wrong. So they hit the road to discover the truth--and there's no going back from what they find out.
This deeply felt, redemptive novel reveals both the dark corners and hidden joys of life's journey--and the remarkable resilience of the human soul.
Until this girl comes along. She's 18 and blond and pretty--her world should be perfect. But she's seen things no one should ever see in their whole life--the kind of things that break a person. She doesn't seem broken, though. She seems . . . innocent. Like she doesn't know a whole lot. Only sometimes she does.
The one thing she knows for sure is that the world is an ugly place. Now her life may depend on Jordy proving her wrong. So they hit the road to discover the truth--and there's no going back from what they find out.
This deeply felt, redemptive novel reveals both the dark corners and hidden joys of life's journey--and the remarkable resilience of the human soul.
215 pages, Hardcover
First published March 28, 2006
462 people are currently reading
2437 people want to read
About the author
Catherine Ryan Hyde
72 books6,158 followersCatherine Ryan Hyde is the author of more than 50 published and forthcoming books.
She is co-author, with publishing industry blogger Anne R. Allen, of How to be a Writer in the E-Age: a Self-Help Guide.
Her bestselling 1999 novel Pay It Forward was made into a major Warner Brothers motion picture. It was chosen by the American Library Association for its Best Books for Young Adults list, and translated into more than two dozen languages for distribution in over 30 countries. Simon & Schuster released a special 15th anniversary edition in December of ’14.
Pay It Forward: Young Readers Edition, an age-appropriate edited edition of the original novel, was released by Simon & Schuster in August of ‘14. It is suitable for children as young as eight.
You can learn much more about Catherine at www.catherineryanhyde.com
She is co-author, with publishing industry blogger Anne R. Allen, of How to be a Writer in the E-Age: a Self-Help Guide.
Her bestselling 1999 novel Pay It Forward was made into a major Warner Brothers motion picture. It was chosen by the American Library Association for its Best Books for Young Adults list, and translated into more than two dozen languages for distribution in over 30 countries. Simon & Schuster released a special 15th anniversary edition in December of ’14.
Pay It Forward: Young Readers Edition, an age-appropriate edited edition of the original novel, was released by Simon & Schuster in August of ‘14. It is suitable for children as young as eight.
You can learn much more about Catherine at www.catherineryanhyde.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 277 reviews
March 15, 2023
This was such a quirky, rich, touching tale of two unique souls on an adventure to find beauty and joy.
At first I was a little thrown off by the nature of this story. Not necessarily in a bad way, but I had to adjust to the mindset of both Jordan, "Jordy", and Chloe. They were extremely different people; both different in the sense that they didn't fit a lot of society's norms and different from one another. Once I warmed up to the premise, the writing style, and the world that was built on these pages, I was so taken with the book as a whole that it was almost impossible to put down.
This book read like a true coming of age story written in the mid-2000's, which is exactly what it was. As I was reading it, I pictured myself at 12 or 13 reading this story for school and scouring it for symbolism and discussion points for a middle school English class, knowing that there was something huge beneath the surface I just didn't have the life experience to grab ahold of yet. And while I felt some deeper connection to this book that I know adulthood has brought me, I also feel like I could read this book every year for the rest of my life and find new meanings, connect with different sections more or less than before, and feel the changes in myself reflected back at me by the way I read this book.
That's when you know you've read something truly special. When it moves you that much. "Becoming Chloe" will sit with me for a long time. Catherine Ryan Hyde remains one of my undisputed favorites!
At first I was a little thrown off by the nature of this story. Not necessarily in a bad way, but I had to adjust to the mindset of both Jordan, "Jordy", and Chloe. They were extremely different people; both different in the sense that they didn't fit a lot of society's norms and different from one another. Once I warmed up to the premise, the writing style, and the world that was built on these pages, I was so taken with the book as a whole that it was almost impossible to put down.
This book read like a true coming of age story written in the mid-2000's, which is exactly what it was. As I was reading it, I pictured myself at 12 or 13 reading this story for school and scouring it for symbolism and discussion points for a middle school English class, knowing that there was something huge beneath the surface I just didn't have the life experience to grab ahold of yet. And while I felt some deeper connection to this book that I know adulthood has brought me, I also feel like I could read this book every year for the rest of my life and find new meanings, connect with different sections more or less than before, and feel the changes in myself reflected back at me by the way I read this book.
That's when you know you've read something truly special. When it moves you that much. "Becoming Chloe" will sit with me for a long time. Catherine Ryan Hyde remains one of my undisputed favorites!
February 2, 2009
This book was beautiful. The idea is that these two homeless kids who've been beat up by life (literally) get together and end up going on a road trip to try to decide if there is enough beauty in life to want to keep living. I was impressed by the author's portrayal of the beauty of nature, the kindness of strangers, and also the carelessness of people and the deliberate cruelty of people to one another: she puts them all in, and doesn't try to make it all good or all bad. I loved the characters and their inherent goodness, and the ending was satisfying and well-written. The letters at the end of the books contain some great quotes about the nature of life.
April 21, 2009
17-year-old Jordy--a runaway after coming out to his homophobic parents--didn't know it was going to change his life when he saves a beautiful blond girl from rape. Suddenly he's stuck taking care of Chloe--which is not her real name but is preferred over her real one--who is strangely childlike although incredibly smart and determined at times. Jordy's got problems of his own, too, but he can't help feeling that he must protect Chloe, that something terrible has happened to her and that she is using her childlike disposition to mask her past.
An unfortunate string of events leads to Jordy and Chloe heading on a road trip across America, so that Chloe can hopefully learn that it's a beautiful world out there, not just full of abuse and neglect. They see beauty, but they also encounter some terrible things as well...but in the end, isn't that what it's all about? The world is both good and bad, and it's only by becoming part of it that you can truly live life.
Catherine Ryan Hyde is an amazingly talented writer. From the start, I was pulled into Jordy and Chloe's predicament, and despite the perpetual air of mystery that hung around the duo, I was able to get to know them very well. Chloe reminds me a lot of Stargirl, only with a dark past that we never get to know. Leaving Chloe's past a mystery may be frustrating, but it strengthens the message of this here-and-now book, which is to live life in the moment and not allow your past to dictate your future. For anyone looking for an uplifting road-trip story that will linger with you for a while, BECOMING CHLOE is THE number one choice.
An unfortunate string of events leads to Jordy and Chloe heading on a road trip across America, so that Chloe can hopefully learn that it's a beautiful world out there, not just full of abuse and neglect. They see beauty, but they also encounter some terrible things as well...but in the end, isn't that what it's all about? The world is both good and bad, and it's only by becoming part of it that you can truly live life.
Catherine Ryan Hyde is an amazingly talented writer. From the start, I was pulled into Jordy and Chloe's predicament, and despite the perpetual air of mystery that hung around the duo, I was able to get to know them very well. Chloe reminds me a lot of Stargirl, only with a dark past that we never get to know. Leaving Chloe's past a mystery may be frustrating, but it strengthens the message of this here-and-now book, which is to live life in the moment and not allow your past to dictate your future. For anyone looking for an uplifting road-trip story that will linger with you for a while, BECOMING CHLOE is THE number one choice.
March 17, 2011
This book was nice.
Not my favorite.
But it was a good book.
Finding the beauty in the world; thats something i'd love to accomplish.
But I don't need to travel 1000 miles.
Beauty is all around me (:
Not my favorite.
But it was a good book.
Finding the beauty in the world; thats something i'd love to accomplish.
But I don't need to travel 1000 miles.
Beauty is all around me (:
July 14, 2010
Becoming Chloe is one of those books that gives you hope in the world we live in, that even if it fells like the world is crashing down around us sometimes and we're nothing short of loosing it all, there is still beauty in it. Beauty that is endless. Beauty that gives you hope no matter what the situation.
From the first page, the reader is thrown into the world of Jordy, a boy who's just about lost it all. He's homeless and has no money to speak, as well as a big cut in his head that he doesn't want to talk about. But that doesn't stop him from reaching out to Chloe, a girl who is so worse of then him, it makes him look privileged. But inside the beautiful, bubbly, and sometimes simple Chloe hides secrets so dark, it's slowly making her loose it all. So Jordan starts operation beautiful world with a mission to show Chloe that the world is beautiful even with the chaos, wars, and murders surrounding them. And off they go on a trip across the country were they'll meet the nice and mean and see the beautiful and ugly. But will Chloe be able to pull it all together by the end? Will Jordan? You'll just have to see.
Jordy and Chloe were both main characters I loved from the beginning. Jordy was always the put together one, the adult in the relationship, but yet he had just as much freight and horror in his love Chloe had, leaving me to never cease to root for him no matter what the situation. Chloe, on the other hand, was in most cases the child, so emotionally detached from the world it made you wonder if there was something mentally wrong with her, but at other times she's wise beyond her short eighteen years of life. She also was a character I rooted for from the first and last page and everything in between.
The plot of this moved smoothly and never once made me loose interest. Though, the one thing I loved most about it was its ability to give hope to the reader no matter what the situation and make you grateful for the live you have because there's always someone out there worse of than you and beauty still out there to be amazed by. It was just such a great and empowering message!
In all, Becoming Chloe is my first book by Catherine Ryan Hyde but it definitely will not be my last. My last words consist of this; Read this book! It's touching, empowering, gritty, and hopeful! A book I feel most should read at least once in their lifetimes.
Grade: A-
From the first page, the reader is thrown into the world of Jordy, a boy who's just about lost it all. He's homeless and has no money to speak, as well as a big cut in his head that he doesn't want to talk about. But that doesn't stop him from reaching out to Chloe, a girl who is so worse of then him, it makes him look privileged. But inside the beautiful, bubbly, and sometimes simple Chloe hides secrets so dark, it's slowly making her loose it all. So Jordan starts operation beautiful world with a mission to show Chloe that the world is beautiful even with the chaos, wars, and murders surrounding them. And off they go on a trip across the country were they'll meet the nice and mean and see the beautiful and ugly. But will Chloe be able to pull it all together by the end? Will Jordan? You'll just have to see.
Jordy and Chloe were both main characters I loved from the beginning. Jordy was always the put together one, the adult in the relationship, but yet he had just as much freight and horror in his love Chloe had, leaving me to never cease to root for him no matter what the situation. Chloe, on the other hand, was in most cases the child, so emotionally detached from the world it made you wonder if there was something mentally wrong with her, but at other times she's wise beyond her short eighteen years of life. She also was a character I rooted for from the first and last page and everything in between.
The plot of this moved smoothly and never once made me loose interest. Though, the one thing I loved most about it was its ability to give hope to the reader no matter what the situation and make you grateful for the live you have because there's always someone out there worse of than you and beauty still out there to be amazed by. It was just such a great and empowering message!
In all, Becoming Chloe is my first book by Catherine Ryan Hyde but it definitely will not be my last. My last words consist of this; Read this book! It's touching, empowering, gritty, and hopeful! A book I feel most should read at least once in their lifetimes.
Grade: A-
February 11, 2014
Stick with this one. It may seem to take a whole to get its groove, but by the end its message of love and redemption are quite profound and touching.
September 25, 2011
Edit: Changing the shelves -- Chloe isn't a manic pixie. She's just childish.
Edit Edit: I wrote a really fangirlish review and saved it on my comp. I'll post it although keep in mind I wrote it after finishing the book and it will be very, very fangirlish. And since I read this book like a year ago I am also very naive and childish in it. Please no comments on some of the stuff I will say, such as my bashing of N&E's No Kiss List. I decided to post the review uncensored -- a glimpse into what I used to think like.
--
And the best book of the year award goes to -- Becoming Chloe.
I'm sorry, Charles Dickens. I should have given it to you for A Tale Of Two Cities. That really was a good book. But I just couldn't bring myself to do it. After reading this book I still am amazed. I loved it. I'm serious. Jordy's POV is beautiful.
I used to not want to read this book, but it makes me want to slap myself in the face. I was lied to. I was thinking this book was focused on gay prositution. Pulheeze. There is hardly any content like that.
No description, just a hint to let us know what just went on. That's what I like about Jordy. He's practical, but informitive. Good job, Catherine Ryan Hyde. You, you are a YA author that should be on all best selling lists.
I read this book until twelve at night, and every time I thought about going to bed and finishing it in the morning I slapped myself. I read this book all the way to the end and I was satisfyed completly. I loved this book.
I want to only give it four stars, but then I'd be a dirty liar. This is a five star novel, and this is why I love to read. Chloe -- I thought she'd be annoying. You probably think she'll be annoying. You're wrong. Her naivitey is played off the best I could ever think. She reminds me of Luna Lovegood in the real word, only more gritty with a horrible past and no loving Xenophellius as her father. She is so innocent, and broken. Like a dead butterfly, completly intact.
I know it sounds lame, but it's true. Now, I'm not one to praise books. I mean, I was pretty much hating on all YA up until this point, with the Hush Hush and the Fallen and the Twilight -- but this book makes me want to read more.
I will warn you, Jordy is kind of a slut at first. NO, not like that. Only with this one creepy old guy, but he realizes that this is wrong and breaks it up and leaves with Chloe. It's not much of a spoiler.
And then there's that creep who offers to give him a real awesome coat (like a black leather trenchcoat awesome) but in exchange for some you-know-what. Jordy considers, and is about to do it but then realizes how sick that would be and he runs away,
All of the characters in this book learn from there mistake. Everyone learns something. Even the reader learns something more beautiful than can ever be explained in words. I'm sorry, but it's true.
Reading about Jordy and Chloe struggle isn't like Angela's Ashes, another supposedly sad book I skimmed once -- there's just enough pity so that your heart is poured out and mush but so you aren't annoyed. The characters are alive. You are alive.
Catherine Ryan Hyde, I think I might love you. And I might just name all of my children after you.
I am not just saying this. This is the reason why I still read books. This is exactly the reason.
I might not have portrayed the characters as beautifully as I wanted it to seem, or maybe I just didn't get the message through. Or perhaps you're still skeptical and won't read the book anyway. Whatever the case is, I don't give a damn.
I read this book cover to cover, and no matter what anyone says or thinks it will be imprinted in my mind forever. I will never forget the story of Chloe and Jordy.
Never.
---
Side note : For those of you wondering if this book is appropriate for kids (or your own innocent eyes) considering the subject matter --
Cursing : 6/10
The cursing is pretty bad, but no one throws aroud the f-word ten times a page. In fact, I don't think there really is any use of the f-word in this. But that isn't to say there aren't uses of other cuss words.
Sexual Content - 2/10
I'm serious. There are literally no horrible scenes in this book. It's not just because Jordy is gay and he's traveling with Chloe, a girl, but despite what you're probably thinking there are no vivid descriptions of Jordy getting it on with that creepy old dude. The creepy old dude only appears in like, 5 pages. Seriously.
And Chloe doesn't turn Jordy from being gay and then they get together, and Jordy doesn't fool around with Chloe or anything like that. Mostly Jordy just kind of suggests or hints what might have happened after cutting the scene, which is really nice when you really don't want to read anything like that.
Violence - 9/10
Yeah, it's pretty heavy in this book. Jordy gets beat up only two or three times, but it's still pretty heavy. Plus, he might-have-killed a guy, but he didn't even know himself. It was really unclear. Oh, and Chloe nearly bites his arm off too. That's pretty descriptive.
Creepy Gaynesss - 1/10
I put this category here for those of you who are either homophobes or a little wary about reading yaoi(aka guy on guy romance). It's okay (being wary about yaoi, I mean...you are a self admitting homophobe maybe you should seek help), because at first I was too. After being scarred by Rachel Cohn and David Leviathan's horrible garbage (Naomi And Ely's No Kiss List was the worst book ever written) I swore to never read any fiction that involved gay people in it again, especially when it featured a girl best friend.
Thank God I cast this aside and actually tried reading something new. Thank God. Yeah, there are no squicky squicky sexytiems about, em, things mentioned in Naomi and Ely's Kiss List that I really, really, really don't want to talk about here. You wouldn't even know he was gay if it wasn't for the light prostitution and the occasional reference of a guy who he thinks is really hot. He comes across one gay boy on his travels who wants to get it on, but Jordy (although his mind says yes) says no. In a very mature way. I didn't feel awkward reading this book at all. Even though Jordy is a seventeen year old gay dude I didn't find it hard to empathize with him and feel for him. That's what makes a book.
Boring - 0/10
I added this category for people like me who have really short attention spans and don't have time for stupid boring books. Well, this book isn't stupid or boring. Seriously. I'd recommend this book to every one I know.
AT LEAST START READING THIS BOOK, OR ELSE YOU WILL SERIOUSLY MISS OUT ON SOMETHING THAT COULD AND WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE.
I sound so much like someone paid to say nice things about a really horrible book, but I swear it isn't true. If I could I'd give this book less stars, because I don't know if I really want to give it this many, but this book deserves nothing less of five stars.
Nothing less, and I wish I could give it more.
---
Um, yeah, I might come up with a better and more mature sounding review later but as of now I am just really lazy.
See ya.
Edit Edit: I wrote a really fangirlish review and saved it on my comp. I'll post it although keep in mind I wrote it after finishing the book and it will be very, very fangirlish. And since I read this book like a year ago I am also very naive and childish in it. Please no comments on some of the stuff I will say, such as my bashing of N&E's No Kiss List. I decided to post the review uncensored -- a glimpse into what I used to think like.
--
And the best book of the year award goes to -- Becoming Chloe.
I'm sorry, Charles Dickens. I should have given it to you for A Tale Of Two Cities. That really was a good book. But I just couldn't bring myself to do it. After reading this book I still am amazed. I loved it. I'm serious. Jordy's POV is beautiful.
I used to not want to read this book, but it makes me want to slap myself in the face. I was lied to. I was thinking this book was focused on gay prositution. Pulheeze. There is hardly any content like that.
No description, just a hint to let us know what just went on. That's what I like about Jordy. He's practical, but informitive. Good job, Catherine Ryan Hyde. You, you are a YA author that should be on all best selling lists.
I read this book until twelve at night, and every time I thought about going to bed and finishing it in the morning I slapped myself. I read this book all the way to the end and I was satisfyed completly. I loved this book.
I want to only give it four stars, but then I'd be a dirty liar. This is a five star novel, and this is why I love to read. Chloe -- I thought she'd be annoying. You probably think she'll be annoying. You're wrong. Her naivitey is played off the best I could ever think. She reminds me of Luna Lovegood in the real word, only more gritty with a horrible past and no loving Xenophellius as her father. She is so innocent, and broken. Like a dead butterfly, completly intact.
I know it sounds lame, but it's true. Now, I'm not one to praise books. I mean, I was pretty much hating on all YA up until this point, with the Hush Hush and the Fallen and the Twilight -- but this book makes me want to read more.
I will warn you, Jordy is kind of a slut at first. NO, not like that. Only with this one creepy old guy, but he realizes that this is wrong and breaks it up and leaves with Chloe. It's not much of a spoiler.
And then there's that creep who offers to give him a real awesome coat (like a black leather trenchcoat awesome) but in exchange for some you-know-what. Jordy considers, and is about to do it but then realizes how sick that would be and he runs away,
All of the characters in this book learn from there mistake. Everyone learns something. Even the reader learns something more beautiful than can ever be explained in words. I'm sorry, but it's true.
Reading about Jordy and Chloe struggle isn't like Angela's Ashes, another supposedly sad book I skimmed once -- there's just enough pity so that your heart is poured out and mush but so you aren't annoyed. The characters are alive. You are alive.
Catherine Ryan Hyde, I think I might love you. And I might just name all of my children after you.
I am not just saying this. This is the reason why I still read books. This is exactly the reason.
I might not have portrayed the characters as beautifully as I wanted it to seem, or maybe I just didn't get the message through. Or perhaps you're still skeptical and won't read the book anyway. Whatever the case is, I don't give a damn.
I read this book cover to cover, and no matter what anyone says or thinks it will be imprinted in my mind forever. I will never forget the story of Chloe and Jordy.
Never.
---
Side note : For those of you wondering if this book is appropriate for kids (or your own innocent eyes) considering the subject matter --
Cursing : 6/10
The cursing is pretty bad, but no one throws aroud the f-word ten times a page. In fact, I don't think there really is any use of the f-word in this. But that isn't to say there aren't uses of other cuss words.
Sexual Content - 2/10
I'm serious. There are literally no horrible scenes in this book. It's not just because Jordy is gay and he's traveling with Chloe, a girl, but despite what you're probably thinking there are no vivid descriptions of Jordy getting it on with that creepy old dude. The creepy old dude only appears in like, 5 pages. Seriously.
And Chloe doesn't turn Jordy from being gay and then they get together, and Jordy doesn't fool around with Chloe or anything like that. Mostly Jordy just kind of suggests or hints what might have happened after cutting the scene, which is really nice when you really don't want to read anything like that.
Violence - 9/10
Yeah, it's pretty heavy in this book. Jordy gets beat up only two or three times, but it's still pretty heavy. Plus, he might-have-killed a guy, but he didn't even know himself. It was really unclear. Oh, and Chloe nearly bites his arm off too. That's pretty descriptive.
Creepy Gaynesss - 1/10
I put this category here for those of you who are either homophobes or a little wary about reading yaoi(aka guy on guy romance). It's okay (being wary about yaoi, I mean...you are a self admitting homophobe maybe you should seek help), because at first I was too. After being scarred by Rachel Cohn and David Leviathan's horrible garbage (Naomi And Ely's No Kiss List was the worst book ever written) I swore to never read any fiction that involved gay people in it again, especially when it featured a girl best friend.
Thank God I cast this aside and actually tried reading something new. Thank God. Yeah, there are no squicky squicky sexytiems about, em, things mentioned in Naomi and Ely's Kiss List that I really, really, really don't want to talk about here. You wouldn't even know he was gay if it wasn't for the light prostitution and the occasional reference of a guy who he thinks is really hot. He comes across one gay boy on his travels who wants to get it on, but Jordy (although his mind says yes) says no. In a very mature way. I didn't feel awkward reading this book at all. Even though Jordy is a seventeen year old gay dude I didn't find it hard to empathize with him and feel for him. That's what makes a book.
Boring - 0/10
I added this category for people like me who have really short attention spans and don't have time for stupid boring books. Well, this book isn't stupid or boring. Seriously. I'd recommend this book to every one I know.
AT LEAST START READING THIS BOOK, OR ELSE YOU WILL SERIOUSLY MISS OUT ON SOMETHING THAT COULD AND WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE.
I sound so much like someone paid to say nice things about a really horrible book, but I swear it isn't true. If I could I'd give this book less stars, because I don't know if I really want to give it this many, but this book deserves nothing less of five stars.
Nothing less, and I wish I could give it more.
---
Um, yeah, I might come up with a better and more mature sounding review later but as of now I am just really lazy.
See ya.
August 19, 2016
Becoming Chloe is one of the books that have been sitting on my shelf for way too long now. Despite my heavy TBR I find myself that time scouring for back titles and was able to pick this one up.
Becoming Chloe surprised me. Just when I was expecting a typical road trip story, I was given a powerful story about two homeless teens with dark pasts.
“Nothing wrong with the Grand Canyon, nothing wrong with wanting to see the ocean. Nothing wrong with big beautiful things. But sometimes beauty can be some pretty close work.”
Jordy and Chloe’s life is full of darkness, chaos and war. You couldn’t really blame them when all they can see in this life are the negative ones – the ugly ones. From New York to California, they go on a mission to see the beauty of the world around them. They were able to meet good and generous people, see beautiful places and gets more appreciative day by day on the life that they are living.
Jordy oh how I love rooting for Jordy. Despite being on the same poor circumstance as Chloe, he was able lead the two of them on a journey that is literally very hard for two homeless people to do. He remains strong, responsible, and supportive and never fails to uplift Chloe whenever she has her “blue moments”.
Chloe is sweet, bubbly and full of energy on the outside but inside she’s full of secrets from her past. She’s not your typical eighteen year old teen – sometimes she struggles with her emotions that makes me think she’s acting like child but sometimes, her words and thoughts makes her seem wiser than her age.
“Even if this was the only thing I ever did in my whole life, it would be worth having a life just to do this.”
The story was pretty short and actually started a bit slow for me, but as I finished the first page, it has gripped me. Jordy and Chloe are teens thrown together by bad circumstances yet they are able to look on the bright side and beauty of life and just go on.
In all, this story is very empowering and thought provoking. It makes me think that when I feel like I’m experiencing the worst there might be someone out there who are experiencing so much worst than I do, so learn to be strong, find solutions, don’t give up and appreciate all the beauty in life.
*For more reviews, please feel free to visit Reads and Thoughts*
October 7, 2024
Great story of friends helping each other survive and find the good in life
June 6, 2025
Becoming Chloe was a decent read. I liked the idea of two homeless teens going on a journey to find beauty in the world—it’s an interesting concept, and there are definitely some touching moments between Jordy and Chloe. Their friendship felt real and sweet, and there were parts that made me stop and think.
That said, it didn’t totally grab me. Some chapters moved super slow, and then suddenly things would jump ahead too fast. Chloe was a little too innocent at times, which didn’t always feel believable. I get what the author was going for, but it felt a bit forced now and then.
All in all, it’s a nice story with a good message, just not one that totally wowed me. Worth a read if you like emotional, character-driven books—but don’t expect it to blow you away.
That said, it didn’t totally grab me. Some chapters moved super slow, and then suddenly things would jump ahead too fast. Chloe was a little too innocent at times, which didn’t always feel believable. I get what the author was going for, but it felt a bit forced now and then.
All in all, it’s a nice story with a good message, just not one that totally wowed me. Worth a read if you like emotional, character-driven books—but don’t expect it to blow you away.
August 16, 2025
A quick easy read. A sweet story about a 17 yr old gay boy and an 18 yr old girl who are homeless and become friends, helping each other survive on the streets. In their friendship, he wants to show her that the world has beauty in it and they set off from CT to CA to see Niagara Falls, the Mississippi, the Grand Canyon and the ocean. The story shows beauty in nature and people, and what the a (healthy) friendship can provide.
September 5, 2022
I liked this book it is a little quirky, but good. It kept my interest the whole time. It is a good story about 2 run aways that become best friends.
February 20, 2023
Heartbreakingly beautiful and impossible to put down. I just loved it.
September 24, 2024
Ok but not as good as her other books. 2 homeless teens become friends and go on a cross country road trip.
February 23, 2010
This is not what I usually read but I thought I'd try something new and different and I'm glad I did.
This book made a whole lot of difference to me. It's one of those books that make you see the world differently like you've never seen it before. Even if slightly. There are so many beautiful things in our world, not just from the exterior but from the interior that we take for granted or not really 'look' at them carefully.
Jordy and Chloe are very unique yet relatable characters. I loved how special their relationship is. Like best friends but even more than that.
They had met so many nice and lovely people on the way. It's so easy to warm up to everybody with Jordy's narration. They were some strange parts since he sees guys as you know and it feels weird at first but it grew on me by the end of the book.
Anyhow, I would've actually loved a totally different ending--perfect, but that doesn't happen in real life, does it? Hyde made it very realistic and true when she chose the path the story took though I would've loved something developed between Jordy and Chloe.
This book made a whole lot of difference to me. It's one of those books that make you see the world differently like you've never seen it before. Even if slightly. There are so many beautiful things in our world, not just from the exterior but from the interior that we take for granted or not really 'look' at them carefully.
Jordy and Chloe are very unique yet relatable characters. I loved how special their relationship is. Like best friends but even more than that.
They had met so many nice and lovely people on the way. It's so easy to warm up to everybody with Jordy's narration. They were some strange parts since he sees guys as you know and it feels weird at first but it grew on me by the end of the book.
Anyhow, I would've actually loved a totally different ending--perfect, but that doesn't happen in real life, does it? Hyde made it very realistic and true when she chose the path the story took though I would've loved something developed between Jordy and Chloe.
January 5, 2011
A very sensitive, poignant read....it was a great break from senseless YA romances with a girl who love TWO guys:-P
It's a story about a guy called Jordan who has left home and is living on the streets. He doesn't have a care in life until one day he rescues a girl from being harrassed. The girl, Wanda who doesn't like her name and on Jordy's suggestion changes it to Chloe, seems very innocent, she doesn't know what's happening to her and yet sometimes she surprises Jordy with displays of extraordinary brilliance. She has witnessed horrors and she has seen all her nightmares come true. And in order to block out all that agony she chose to forget.....an amazing story where Jordy sets out to free Chloe from the anguish and trauma and show her that everyone's not bad.....a journey of redemption and an attempt to defeat their pasts.....A must must read!!!
Oh i forgot to mention the best part, the guy's gay so its NOT a love story!!
It's a story about a guy called Jordan who has left home and is living on the streets. He doesn't have a care in life until one day he rescues a girl from being harrassed. The girl, Wanda who doesn't like her name and on Jordy's suggestion changes it to Chloe, seems very innocent, she doesn't know what's happening to her and yet sometimes she surprises Jordy with displays of extraordinary brilliance. She has witnessed horrors and she has seen all her nightmares come true. And in order to block out all that agony she chose to forget.....an amazing story where Jordy sets out to free Chloe from the anguish and trauma and show her that everyone's not bad.....a journey of redemption and an attempt to defeat their pasts.....A must must read!!!
Oh i forgot to mention the best part, the guy's gay so its NOT a love story!!
August 5, 2017
I first read this book when I was in middle school. It was the first book I read that explored the idea of suicide, it also helped develop my yearning for travel.
The writing is very simplistic, so are the characters and character development. But it's simple in a nice, heart warming way. I immediately liked Jordan (I too get easily attached to others, and somehow become the mother figure in my group of friends), and I also adored Chloe. It was nice seeing them travel by any means, meeting amazing people- but their trip wasn't always happy-go-lucky.
This is quick read. But if you're a person that sometimes forgets to take a breather and have a look at the world we're all living in (despite all the ugliness) and remember there's beauty still here- I recommend this book for you.
The writing is very simplistic, so are the characters and character development. But it's simple in a nice, heart warming way. I immediately liked Jordan (I too get easily attached to others, and somehow become the mother figure in my group of friends), and I also adored Chloe. It was nice seeing them travel by any means, meeting amazing people- but their trip wasn't always happy-go-lucky.
This is quick read. But if you're a person that sometimes forgets to take a breather and have a look at the world we're all living in (despite all the ugliness) and remember there's beauty still here- I recommend this book for you.
April 5, 2019
Becoming Chloe was a difficult book to get into. At first, it was a little confusing to understand the characters and if the narrator was female or male. Some parts seem to be implied but I could not always tell. Even though it was difficult in the beginning, I thought the whole idea had a really good meaning. I really liked how Jordy took care of Chloe the entire time but in the end, Chloe also took care of Jordy without even noticing. I would rate this book a 7 out of 10 and would still recommend it to a friend. It was an easy read but still engaging and emotional.
February 16, 2015
This story was just so sweet and lovely, it does make you realise there are more beautiful things in the world even when you think everything in the world is falling around you.
I liked this book more because it wasn't a love story it was an unlikely friendship and it was beautiful. They grew a bond you couldn't break and he stuck by her no matter what and helped her more than anyone else would.
A lovely short read, I would recommend it to anyone
I liked this book more because it wasn't a love story it was an unlikely friendship and it was beautiful. They grew a bond you couldn't break and he stuck by her no matter what and helped her more than anyone else would.
A lovely short read, I would recommend it to anyone
February 2, 2016
**3.5 STARS**
I'm conflicted about this one. This was a pretty cute book; it was nothing that special though. Personally, i think it took way too long to pick up, but when it did it was okay. Most of the time I was just waiting for something significant to happen, but at some times it really was such a beautiful story. Overall, the book felt a little childlike to me, but at certain points when the deeper side of things were explored, I really enjoyed those moments.
I'm conflicted about this one. This was a pretty cute book; it was nothing that special though. Personally, i think it took way too long to pick up, but when it did it was okay. Most of the time I was just waiting for something significant to happen, but at some times it really was such a beautiful story. Overall, the book felt a little childlike to me, but at certain points when the deeper side of things were explored, I really enjoyed those moments.
March 24, 2010
I love love love this book. I read it in the midst of my teen angst and it opened up a whole new world of happiness for me. Catherine Ryan Hyde is an amazing writer to check out if you like the stories of troubled youth who learn and teach and grow through others.
January 6, 2023
Although I was completely engaged throughout the whole book, the ending was very very disappointing with no insight to the big questions from the beginning. I wanted to give it a 4 or 5, now I barely want to give it a 2.
April 21, 2015
3.5 This is a hard book to review. Sweet and beautiful in some ways. Dark and disturbing in others. Overall I really liked it.
July 30, 2016
I'm rereading Becoming Chloe right after the first reading.
There is so much in this book!
I don't really know what to write about it for fear of giving things away.
There is so much in this book!
I don't really know what to write about it for fear of giving things away.
May 13, 2021
This was a wonderful book. I discovered Catherine Ryan Hyde some years ago & liked her books, then got away from them for awhile. Last year I read one again & remembered all the reasons why I enjoy them--they have so much heart. This one doesn't disappoint; Jordan is 17 year old boy who is gay which is why he's living on the streets--his parents don't want him anymore. He encounters Wanda being raped & stops it. She immediately attaches herself to her rescuer &, in turn, saves his life when his infected wound nearly kills him. Together they take care of each other while trying to survive, but Chloe (a name Wanda likes better) has a lot of past horrors bottled up inside of her that are slowly sinking her into depression. Fearing she may harm herself, Jordan tries getting her help & medication, but, when neither improve the situation, he tries to convince Chloe that life is worth living & the world is still a beautiful place by embarking on a cross-country road trip to see the wonders of life. The relationship these two have is beautiful, the care & compassion they have for each other warms the heart. And along the way, Jordan discovers some things about himself, too. Definitely a must-read book.
December 14, 2024
Gratitude! I’d say that the gist of this book. There is beauty in the world, and sometimes we need to actually look for it.
Two homeless kids (17 & 18 yrs of age) living in NYC. Jordan and Chloe try to keep each other alive and happy, but it’s a challenge. They’ve both literally been beaten up by life. They decide to take a cross country road trip and see all that they can see. He’s trying to prove to her that the world is a beautiful place, regardless of the crap they’ve lived thru.
Much of this book was strange. Chloe talks and acts like a young child. Jordan acts like the young adult he is, but also a parent figure to Chloe. He is gay, so their relationship is platonic, and very open and loving.
I’m personally all about gratitude. I’ve kept a gratitude journal for years that I write in daily. Three things minimum about the day for which I’m grateful. The things these kids were pointing out to each other made so much sense to me. A squirrel climbing a tree, a gorgeous sunrise, a nice gesture here & there from a stranger, sugar in a cup of coffee. Big things too, obviously. Niagara Falls, mountains, the Grand Canyon, nice people who help them out.
Good book. Maybe written for young adults, but that’s okay. I used to be one myself.
Two homeless kids (17 & 18 yrs of age) living in NYC. Jordan and Chloe try to keep each other alive and happy, but it’s a challenge. They’ve both literally been beaten up by life. They decide to take a cross country road trip and see all that they can see. He’s trying to prove to her that the world is a beautiful place, regardless of the crap they’ve lived thru.
Much of this book was strange. Chloe talks and acts like a young child. Jordan acts like the young adult he is, but also a parent figure to Chloe. He is gay, so their relationship is platonic, and very open and loving.
I’m personally all about gratitude. I’ve kept a gratitude journal for years that I write in daily. Three things minimum about the day for which I’m grateful. The things these kids were pointing out to each other made so much sense to me. A squirrel climbing a tree, a gorgeous sunrise, a nice gesture here & there from a stranger, sugar in a cup of coffee. Big things too, obviously. Niagara Falls, mountains, the Grand Canyon, nice people who help them out.
Good book. Maybe written for young adults, but that’s okay. I used to be one myself.
July 18, 2024
This book has changed my life in different ways every time I read it at different points of my own life.
This was my nostalgia read of the month (and May’s lol) when I think back about this book I think it was the first book tiny, child me sobbed through…. I think I might’ve sobbed even harder this time around. These two teenagers, who are homeless and have had their own traumas and frankly absolute shitty lives meet each other and save each other. The beauty that they find through their roadtrip and the people that they meet…all while they both end up thanking each other. Jordy thinks he is saving Chloe and comes to the realization she saved him just as much….i can’t even describe how much this book means to me. Finding beauty in the world and deciding that you want to actually continue living, UGH. this book has sat with me for 15 years and I think I will always come back to it.
It is my favorite inspiring, heartbreaking, touching, beautiful book that I’ll continue to reread again and again.
This was my nostalgia read of the month (and May’s lol) when I think back about this book I think it was the first book tiny, child me sobbed through…. I think I might’ve sobbed even harder this time around. These two teenagers, who are homeless and have had their own traumas and frankly absolute shitty lives meet each other and save each other. The beauty that they find through their roadtrip and the people that they meet…all while they both end up thanking each other. Jordy thinks he is saving Chloe and comes to the realization she saved him just as much….i can’t even describe how much this book means to me. Finding beauty in the world and deciding that you want to actually continue living, UGH. this book has sat with me for 15 years and I think I will always come back to it.
It is my favorite inspiring, heartbreaking, touching, beautiful book that I’ll continue to reread again and again.
March 11, 2021
Is it worth going through the worst if you can appreciate the best?
“I’m betting everything on thinking I can make her believe it. Even though I’m not positive I believe it myself.”
“Without me she wouldn’t have seen all this. Without her, I might have seen all this and still not known what a beautiful world it is. The saddest fate of all.”
“I find it touching, almost enviable, that a person with so little feels she has all she needs.”
+ • + • + • +
Just speechless… &That ending… OMG!!! All in my feelings, I still haven't stopped crying yet. I'm just SO grateful that I was able to share in this journey.
Outstanding excellence in putting into words the unexplainable & the unfathomable to explain & express in such a relatable & tangible way.
We may not have actually been with Chloe & Jordan but my life was still impacted by it regardless. Never look at the ocean the same —or so many things i forget to take for granted.
“I’m betting everything on thinking I can make her believe it. Even though I’m not positive I believe it myself.”
“Without me she wouldn’t have seen all this. Without her, I might have seen all this and still not known what a beautiful world it is. The saddest fate of all.”
“I find it touching, almost enviable, that a person with so little feels she has all she needs.”
+ • + • + • +
Just speechless… &That ending… OMG!!! All in my feelings, I still haven't stopped crying yet. I'm just SO grateful that I was able to share in this journey.
Outstanding excellence in putting into words the unexplainable & the unfathomable to explain & express in such a relatable & tangible way.
We may not have actually been with Chloe & Jordan but my life was still impacted by it regardless. Never look at the ocean the same —or so many things i forget to take for granted.
April 15, 2022
I have come to realize that I like this author's earlier books much more than her recent ones. The newer ones seem to follow a certain formula and the earlier ones had a lot more variety in them.
This is the story of Jordy and Chloe. They meet when they are both homeless teenagers. Jordy has been badly beaten and is sleeping in a basement when he hears Chloe being gang raped in the alley. He stops the rape and they become sort of a team. Chloe is a very interesting character. She seems very simple at times and at other times very smart and savvy. She doesn't seem to react to the things that happen to her and she doesn't ever talk about them but she is very damaged. Jordy is also damaged but he is more practical about it. His father caught Jordy and his boyfriend together and beat him to within an inch of his life so Jordy ran away.
The wind up going cross country to "find the beautiful" and along the way meet very interesting people and have a lot of adventures. Awesome story that I didn't want to end.
This is the story of Jordy and Chloe. They meet when they are both homeless teenagers. Jordy has been badly beaten and is sleeping in a basement when he hears Chloe being gang raped in the alley. He stops the rape and they become sort of a team. Chloe is a very interesting character. She seems very simple at times and at other times very smart and savvy. She doesn't seem to react to the things that happen to her and she doesn't ever talk about them but she is very damaged. Jordy is also damaged but he is more practical about it. His father caught Jordy and his boyfriend together and beat him to within an inch of his life so Jordy ran away.
The wind up going cross country to "find the beautiful" and along the way meet very interesting people and have a lot of adventures. Awesome story that I didn't want to end.
February 5, 2023
Gut Instinct Rating: 3.5
Characters: 4.25
Believability: 4
Uniqueness: 5
Writing Style: 5
Excitement Factor: 3.5
Story Line: 4
Title Relevance: 5
Artwork Relevance: 3
Audiobook Narration: N/A
Overall: 4.14🏳️🌈
•
CW: Crime Story Line (Sexual Assault, Physical Assault, Child Abuse), GBLT+ Story Line, Homelessness or Poverty Story Line, Features an Illness, not a disability (not specified), Road Trip/Travel Story Line, Victims of Crime Story Line
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Review: I’ve read quite a few Catherine Ryan Hyde books and this one is my least favorite so far. I didn’t dislike it, but it was really in your face and I felt like there could’ve been a bit more resolve hiding out in the story. I will say, the beginning of this book is not for the faint of heart. Like page 1 can be incredibly difficult to process. Jordy was by far the best part of this story, even though it was really centered around, well, Becoming Chloe.
Characters: 4.25
Believability: 4
Uniqueness: 5
Writing Style: 5
Excitement Factor: 3.5
Story Line: 4
Title Relevance: 5
Artwork Relevance: 3
Audiobook Narration: N/A
Overall: 4.14🏳️🌈
•
CW: Crime Story Line (Sexual Assault, Physical Assault, Child Abuse), GBLT+ Story Line, Homelessness or Poverty Story Line, Features an Illness, not a disability (not specified), Road Trip/Travel Story Line, Victims of Crime Story Line
•
Review: I’ve read quite a few Catherine Ryan Hyde books and this one is my least favorite so far. I didn’t dislike it, but it was really in your face and I felt like there could’ve been a bit more resolve hiding out in the story. I will say, the beginning of this book is not for the faint of heart. Like page 1 can be incredibly difficult to process. Jordy was by far the best part of this story, even though it was really centered around, well, Becoming Chloe.
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