Pay It Forward

Rating:
Summary: Inspirational
Review: I bought it without seeing the movie, and without having much of an idea what the book was about. I was pleased reading the first 2/3 of the book, but felt that it was average. It was not until the last third that I felt the power of the writing and characters take hold of me. This is a great read for anyone who wants to feel good. I would say anyone who believes in miracles, but even if you don't, this book will make you.

Rating:
Summary: Beautiful story, well worth it!
Review: A wonderfully written story of how one innocent, hopeful child can change the world. Light-hearted at times, somber at others, Catherine Ryan Hyde is able to pull readers into a veiw of the world from a child's perspective and make the reader believe that the world really can be changed.

Rating:
Summary: This was very good...but I hope there's no sequel
Review: This book reminded me of Joshua by Joseph Girzone; "paying it forward" is a simple premise that can change the world one person at a time. I liked the fact that the characters were not two dimensional, but struggled with their own demons. I found it easy to identify with Trevor's struggles and the desire of the adults in his life to encourage and yet protect him.

I thought the St. Trevor stuff at the end was a little over the top.

My only hope is that the author not fall into the trap of writing "Pay It Forward II" and essentially writing the same book over again.

Rating:
Summary: I hope the movie is better.
Review: I heard that the movie is great. Being the type of person that would rather read a book than watch a movie, on impulsive, I read the book. The beginning is great because it hooked me.

Then it became very bland. Rueben St. Clair sounds more Caucasian than African-American and the author never explained the impact Trevor's life had on his concept; possibly more attention to Trevor's father with the quote. Arlene was the only one the author explained well, though still disappointing. Basically, the author never went deep into any of the characters.

It was hard to keep track of the flashbacks. At many intervals, I was not sure if it was present-time or the past from the authors point of view. There should have been more reactions from others that were helped. Additionally, the author clearly has an "agenda" to set forth with the admiration of President Clinton and her ideals concerning homophobic behaviors. Trevor's death could have been written with more dialogue.

With all the negativity, I love the concept. It is something I have done and continue to do but never had a name for it. I always tell those I help to: "Just do something good for someone else." Now I'll tell them to "Pay It Forward."

Rating:
Summary: Pay It Foward- A Feel Good Book
Review: Pay it Foward was quite interesting. I believe it is a good inspiration for children and teens, who want to contribute to the world today. Trevor, the 12 year old boy who creates the 'Pay it Foward' plan was very determined to change the world. He struggled with the project because his chosen subjects weren't a good pick, well at least that's what he thought. Mrs. Greenburg died and Jerry went to jail, so Trevor thought that they failed to 'Pay it Foward'. What Trevor did not know was that before Mrs. Greenburg did pass away she indeed did 'Pay it Foward' to Chris the young man she met in the supermarket and the girl at the pet shelter. He also thought that Jerry was a bad choice because he ended up going to jail, he also paid it foward when he got out of jail. He finally saw results because Arlene, his mother and Mr. St. Clair, his social studies teacher did end up getting married. Arlene and Reuben got married as Trevor planed, they paid it foward by having a baby and starting a new family for Trevor. Trevor's plan 'Pay it Foward' really worked because the people Trevor used to start the project did 'Pay it Foward'.

Rating:
Summary: THIS BOOK TOUCHED MY HEART
Review: Catherine Ryan Hyde has written the best book of the year and maybe several years. Right from the start I felt my heart touched by her words and the wonderful characters she created. Except for Trevor, the characters are all damaged people. Rubin, the teacher, was in Viet Nam and suffered the loss of half his face, and the use of one arm. Despite his appearance he is a really good man, and a wonderful teacher, the kind we wish we all had. He becomes a surrogate father to Trevor.

Arlene is Trevor's mom. Despite her alcholism which she is fighting, her love for Trevor is important. She works two jobs to keep up her home. Trevor adores his mother and wants to make her happy. His father Rick, is not married to Arlene, but is an unfaithful husband. He disappears in the beginning of the story.

It starts with a social studies project initiated by Rubin. What can you do to change the world? Several children choose projects. Trevor comes up with a plan he calls pay if forward. He will help three people. Instead of them repaying him, they have to pay it forward to three other people. This is to continue and continue until the whole world is changed and blessed by these good deeds. It is a concept I believe in.

Well, it doesn't seem to work for Trevor at first. He doesn't realize what is happening with his plan. Even his efforts to get his mother and his teacher together seem to fail after a time. Trevor is not really discouraged. Even after the class is over he continues to work towards setting up his pay forward plan.

Meanwhile the movement is going on quietly and is reaching from their small town to L.A. A reporter wants to find out who really started this movement. He digs and digs until he uncovers Trevor.

This is a beautifull written book with many poignant and heart warming moments. I absolutely loved the character of Rubin and Trevor as well as Arlene. The love which develops between these three people is one we wish we all had.

If you have time to read only one book read this one. It will change your life for the better.

Rating:
Summary: Overly Utopian
Review: After watching and loving this movie, I immediately ran out and bought the book. However, I found the book to be a disappointment. "Overly utopian" is the best way to put it. Sure, the idea of the book is that instead of paying back favors to someone, you pay them forward to three other people. In the movie these favors were relatively believable, but in the book they were outrageous and impossible to go along with. Also, this book was written as a flashback. It starts out with the author telling us the world is perfect, no greed, no hunger, nobody going without, and then tells us how it happened. I'm not usually a pessimist, but that was just a little too hard to swallow. But if you pay no attention to the unbelievableness of it all (The main character, an 11 year old boy actually said, "Chelsea Clinton is a babe!" I ask you, is this believable?), this was a sweet book that will make you laugh and cry and it's a quick and easy read.

Rating:
Summary: Love and Being a Good Person "Should Solve" Things
Review: I started off loving this book but perhaps hearing about the upcoming movie was a disadvantage. I found myself annoyed with the material changes they made to the story for the movie. Then the book seemed to take off in somewhat of a different direction than I hoped. I thought it was a "must have" but by the end I did not recommend it to anyone and I passed on the movie.

Rating:
Summary: Pay It Forward
Review: This book absolutely touched my heart. It was well written and got the point across. The boy in the story moved me to tears and/or laughter with his straight-forward questions and answers. If our lives could be as sincere as this young man -- boy this would be a much better world.

Rating:
Summary: Pay it Forward
Review: This book is the first book in many years that has not only entertained but has made a profound impact on the way I look at things. A must read for any and all.