Pay It Forward

Pay It Forward
Publisher
Age Range
14+
Release Date
April 28, 2012
ISBN
0743412028
Buy This Book
      

Catherine Ryan Hyde's international sensation, "Pay It Forward, "is the moving story of Trevor McKinney, a twelve-year-old boy who accepts his social studies teacher's challenge to come up with a plan to change the world.Trevor's idea is simple: Do a good deed for three people and ask them to "pay it forward" to three others who need help. He envisions a vast movement of kindness and goodwill spreading beyond his small California town and across the world. However, when Jerry, a bum to whom Trevor gave his allowance, returns to a life of dissolution, the project seems valuable only as a lesson on the dark side of human nature. But ultimately Trevor is vindicated. At first people don't know how to explain the odd dip in crime rates across the nation, but a journalist with a story of his own tracks down the source of the epidemic of random acts of kindness and makes Trevor a celebrity. Yet Trevor has problems closer to home: he wants his pretty, hardworking mother to see the softer side of his beloved teacher, Reuben St. Clair, a scarred Vietnam veteran who seems to come alive only when he's in front of his class. Anyone who has ever despaired of one person's ability to effect change will rejoice in Trevor's courage and his determination to see the good in everyone.

User reviews

1 review
Overall rating
 
4.7
Plot
 
5.0(1)
Characters
 
5.0(1)
Writing Style
 
4.0(1)
Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
 
N/A(0)
Already have an account? or Create an account
Fan of the movie, fan of the book!
Overall rating
 
4.7
Plot
 
N/A
Characters
 
N/A
Writing Style
 
N/A
Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
 
N/A
I've seen the movie Pay It Forward multiple times so when my english teacher suggested we read the novel for book club I was excited. Although there are some differences between the book and movie (Reuben's ethnicity, Arlene's problem with alcohol, and the heartbreaking final events) I think the book stands as it's own as a great read. Each chapter is from a different character's perspective. There are blurbs from interviews that the reporter Chris Chandler compiles years after the initial movement. There are also small excerpts from Trevor's diary, where we can hear his feelings about his project. The book will make you want to cheer for the characters and cry for them. This book would be great for anyone to read, but due to some adult themes, such as alcoholism and sexual encounters, I'd recommend readers to be in there teens. Hopefully after you read this book you will be inspired to "pay it forward" because I know I am!
Good Points
- Such an inspirational storyline
- You can't help but fall in love with Mr. St. Clair, Arlene, and Trevor!
Report this review Comments (0) | Was this review helpful? 0 0