Pay It Forward

Rating:
Summary: An Exceptional Novel
Review: "I can tell you how it all started. It started with a teacher who moved to Atascadero, California to teach social studies to junior high students. A teacher nobody knew very well because they couldn't get past his face. Because it was hard to look at his face. It started with a boy who didn't seem all that remarkable on the outside, but who could see past his teacher's face. It started with an assignment that his teacher had given out a hundred times before, with no startling results. But that assignment in the hands of that boy caused a seed to be planted, and after that nothing in the world would ever be the same. Nor would anybody want it to be. And I can tell you what it became . . ." Pay it Forward is an inspirational novel about Trevor, a twelve-year-old boy, who comes up with a plot to change that world after his teacher, Reuben, invites the class to invent a way to change the world and put the plan into action for extra credit. Trevor's plan is extraordinary. It involves "paying forward." He does something good for three people. Then they each do something good for three people. It goes on and on until all the people in the world have been affected. Trevor does good deeds for three people but believes that all his efforts are in vain . . . until he gets an unexpected call from a reporter. Pay it Forward is a good story that has an exceptional theme. It teaches the reader many lessons about human nature and the spirit of giving. Catherine Ryan Hyde chose to write her novel in a way that was sometimes confusing (there were a lot of characters, and the story kept switching back and forth between perspectives); however, it is a wonderful book and has a great plot. This is a must-read for people of all ages.

Rating:
Summary: Are you ready to pay it forward?
Review: When was the last time any of us did something for someone just for the heck of it? Afeter reading this book in two days, I am very excited about the idea of paying forward to all the wonderful people that had helped me in my life. This "movement" could be so real if you and I get together to do so. The book is GREAT, makes you think what you can do next to live in a better world. Trevor is just the creator, now is time to PAY IT FORWARD!

Rating:
Summary: Not as corny as it sounds... very entertaining!
Review: I read the dust jacket of this novel in the bookstore several times and several weeks before finally buying it. The protagonist being a 12 year old scared me off a bit, I think. (Reading the other reviews here is what convinced me to get it). This is a book filled with adult storylines (almost like several shortstories intertwined). It is interesting and if you have to put it down, you find yourself looking forward all day to being able to pick it up again. The characters are well-developed and believable. I do not have my head in the clouds so high that I believe this book will change the world, but I do believe it will make most of us think about others (which is a step in the right direction). I have given it to my teenage daughter to read (very CLEAN book), and I look forward to passing it along to friends.

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful Book
Review: This was the best book I have read in a long time. Trevor's simple concept of paying it forward moved me from smiles to tears, all in an instant. Everyone should read this book and adopt this attitude. This book will change the way you view the world.

Rating:
Summary: Onward Christian Soldiers
Review: Although I enjoyed the book and the author's writing style, I was a little dazed by the frying-pan-over-the-head subtlety of Christ symbolism. Trevor, the young do-gooder in the novel, is male, young, idealistic, and misunderstood. I thoroughly enjoyed the web of stories within the story, and the emotion of the book has actually gotten me to pay it forward (I left a five-dollar tip for a waitress who didn't serve me because I overheard her saying she got stiffed by some jerks). Overall a very well-written book, but one has to wonder why the author could not have done away with the religious imagery, and why Trevor could not have been a girl.

Rating:
Summary: A fable for all ages
Review: Loving the author's earlier works and her great skills in characterization, I bought Pay it Forward as soon as it came out. I read it within twenty-four hours. It is difficult to add anything new to the many raves visited upon Hyde's work, like most other readers I found this book to be speaking of hope. It is a modern version of old myths, of fables, of making the reader in the year 2000 see that as in fairytales of old, all things are still possible. I found the ending, though sad, not tragic. A purpose missed would have been tragic. Life here came to completion and the circle closed. I recommend this book to anyone from age twelve to a hundred, to follow this story and come to believe in miracles again.

Rating:
Summary: A Wonderful Read
Review: I've always told my mom that if a movie makes me cry, then it has really touched me. Well, the same is true for books and boy, did I cry when I read "Pay it Forward." (And if you don't cry when you read it, you must not be getting into the book). I think this is a great read for anybody of any age, race, or sex. It doesn't matter who you are! Read it! I'm excited for the movie which stars Oscar winners Kevin Spacey and Helen Hunt and Academy nomineed Haley Joel Osment as Trevor.

Rating:
Summary: ....and a little child shall lead them
Review: I listened to this book on a long drive that I ended up wishing was longer. I've worked with charities for a long time and I would love to pass this book or tape along to all of the staff and volunteers. It succinctly describes philanthropy--paying it forward--and gives an incredible example of people helping folks others wouldn't touch (rather like Someone who walked the earth about 2000 years ago) and (like Him) changing the world.

Rating:
Summary: Pay It Forward
Review: This book has the creativity and saviness of a genious. The mystery and constant suprises makes this book a pleasant easy reader. Pay it Forward is not only about a young boy who attempts to change the world, it is about the roller coaster of life. It is about taking chances, having patience and faith. This book was well worth the journey.

Rating:
Summary: Pay It Forward
Review: This book has the creativity and saviness of a genious. The mystery and constant suprises makes this book a pleasant easy reader. Pay it Forward is not only about a young boy who changes the world, it is about life. It is about taking chances, having patience and faith, and ultimately seeing results. This book was well worth the journey.