When I Found You by Catherine Ryan Hyde

Imagine yourself walking along a woodland trail without a care in the world, taking in the fresh air and tranquil surroundings.  Now imagine you found a baby very deep within the leaves.  Is it dead or alive and what is the next thing you would do?  At first Nathan McCann assumed, as many of us would, that the unexpectedly discovered baby was past all help.  But with a twitch of a foot, lives were changed forever.  The baby boy was still alive so Nathan launches into action and feels an overwhelming sensation of fatherly devotion towards the infant.  At that moment Nathan knew he would be a part of the child’s life in one way or another.  The boy is fittingly named after his rescuer, but later shortens it to Nat.  The unexplainable and unbreakable bond Nathan feels towards the baby endures throughout the rest of his life.  The story unwinds through a series of events and circumstances that constantly test the unconditional love poured upon Nat.  Spanning decades and interchanging between the perspectives of Nathan and Nat, When I Found You is written in an easy, conversational style, yet delivers powerfully heartbreaking moments.  Catherine Ryan Hyde has written numerous other novels including Pay It Forward, which was adapted to film in 2000.  Hopefully, filmmakers will consider this thought provoking tale too.  For more information, visit her website: http://www.catherineryanhyde.com/