I’m trying to find a book I think I remember was written by a French or Hispanic (?) author. I remember it was well written, and she or he didn’t have many books. I had read 2 of her books, I’ll tell you about both.
1. The first one involved a boy who was shivering outside a bakery that a couple owned, they brought him in and took care of him. They (couple) had a son before, but he either died or disappeared. They take care of the boy who was found outside the bakery (may of been a cafe as well) and when someone (official) comes for the missing son, the one the couple brought in goes to fight for the army. I apologise, as this is only how much I know about this first book, but I vividly remember it being extremely touching and nice.
2. This second book had a cover of yellow on it with a blue sky (not realistic) and I think pyramids. I remember a boy who was involved in dangerous things, who got on a ship and met a girl. This girl was mute and had an older brother, and she stopped being mute after she met the boy involved in other business. The boy leaves her, to protect her, and I remember a tower somewhere in the story. I’m sorry again, because I don’t remember this that vividly. Thank you for your consideration, I hope you can find the book
Lost Classics of Teen Lit: Name That Book! 
Long shot – any chance you are thinking of “The Silent Voice” by Julia Cunningham? It doesn’t quite match either of the books you described but it does have elements of both. It’s about a mute boy named Aguste who is a talented street performer/mime. There are 2 other books in the series, which came out in the 1970s. My memory is hazy on all the details (it’s out of print) but the details about being mute, the friendship with a girl, the generosity of kindly people in a bakery and being set in France all made me think of suggesting this book.
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