Pay It Forward, Catherine Ryan Hyde. (Hardcover 0684862719) Book Reviews, Used Book available for Swap

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Pay It Forward
Author: Catherine Ryan Hyde

Pay It Forward is a wondrous and moving novel about Trevor McKinney, a twelve-year-old boy in a small California town who accepts the challenge that his teacher gives his class, a chance to earn extra credit by coming up with a plan to change the world for the better -- and to put that plan into action. — The idea that Trevor comes up with... more » is so simple and so naïve that when others learn of it they are dismissive. Even Trevor himself begins to doubt when his "pay it forward" plan seems to founder on a combination of bad luck and the worst of human nature.

What is his idea? Trevor chooses three people for whom he will do a favor, and then when those people thank him and ask how they might pay him back, he will tell them that instead of paying him back, they should each "pay it forward" by choosing three people for whom they can do favors, and in turn telling those people to pay it forward. It's nothing less than a human chain letter of kindness and good will.

Does his plan work? No. And yes -- it works wonderfully, but only after it has seemed to Trevor that maybe all his efforts have been for naught. The first person he chooses to help -- a homeless man to whom he gives his paper-route money so he can make himself presentable enough to find a job -- disappoints him by returning to a life of dissolution and eventually ending up in jail. The second is a lady on his paper route, old and alone and infirm, and with a garden that needs tending. No sooner has Trevor begun to help her, however, than she goes and dies on him.

The third person Trevor hopes to help is his teacher, Reuben St. Clair, a scarred, bitter, untrusting man who seems to come truly alive only when in front of his class. Trevor's goal is to match him with his mother, Arlene, a pretty, hardworking woman who has raised Trevor more or less alone, but who Trevor feels has a lot to offer the right man. It proves not to be a match made in heaven, though, and Trevor's dismay only deepens as he watches these two people come so close to achieving the connection he wants for them, only to turn away at the last moment.

Failure seems inevitable, and Trevor is resigned. What he doesn't realize, however, is that there really is a good side to human nature, and that the tiny seed of kindness and caring he planted has taken root. In neighborhoods in other California towns, and as far away as Los Angeles, there are others following the rules of "paying it forward." Soon fame comes knocking, bringing with it excitement and an unforeseen tragedy.

In the end, Pay It Forward is the story of seemingly ordinary people made extraordinary by the simple faith of a child. In the tradition of the successful and inspirational television show Touched by an Angel, and the phenomenally successful novel and film Forrest Gump, Pay It Forward is a work of charm, wit, and remarkable inspiration, a story of hope for today and for many tomorrows to come.

ISBN-13: 9780684862712
ISBN-10: 0684862719
Publication Date: 2/3/2000
Pages: 288
Rating:

Currently 4/5 Stars.

4 stars, based on 66 ratings

Publisher: Simon Schuster
Book Type: Hardcover
Other Versions: Paperback, Audio Cassette, Audio CD
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

Julie B. (Jules) reviewed Pay It Forward on 1/25/2006 + 93 more book reviews

Helpful Score: 2

Wow. I loved this book. I haven't cried so hard at an ending since Terms of Endearment. I recommend this book to anyone who needs a human spirit boost! Just, wow.

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Anne H. reviewed Pay It Forward on 4/8/2006 + 191 more book reviews

Helpful Score: 1

This novel was made into a movie. A 12-year old boy chooses three people for whom he will do a favor, and then when those people thank him and ask how to pay him back, he tells them that they should "pay it forward" by choosing 3 people for whom they can do favors and in turn these people will "pay it forward" It is a wonderful book.

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Cheryl G. (AlexsMommy) reviewed Pay It Forward on 4/4/2007 + 12 more book reviews

Helpful Score: 1

Good book, very sad, but wonderful story.

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Aimee O. (anandadevika) reviewed Pay It Forward on 6/14/2007

Helpful Score: 1

This was a very inspiring story! If you've seen the movie, the book is so much better...

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Diane T. (dtsbestbooks) reviewed Pay It Forward on 5/10/2012 + 13 more book reviews

Helpful Score: 1

An uplifting story that encourages the reader to participate in kindnesses toward fellow humanity. a great read!

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Ken B. reviewed Pay It Forward on 11/7/2005 + 2 more book reviews

GREAT AUDIO BOOK,A SIMPLE PLAN,SEE HOW FAR IT CAN GO AROUND THE WORLD

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Michelle (ShellyD77) - reviewed Pay It Forward on 8/5/2005 + 193 more book reviews

I have the movie. Incredibly moving tale of a boy who does nice things for other people who in turn do nice things for other people. Great story for the entire family

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Donna W. (shooter38) reviewed Pay It Forward on 1/4/2009 + 63 more book reviews

I read this book in about 3 evenings. I was up till 3:30 to finish it. If only people could learn to pay it forward.

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Damara M. (damara) reviewed Pay It Forward on 12/23/2009 + 6 more book reviews

Different from the movie in many ways. Still, a very good book with strong, realistic characters. I was able to visualize the characters as their true selves and not as the actors who played them in the movie.

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Katie (ChokolatteJedi) - reviewed Pay It Forward on 4/26/2009 + 39 more book reviews

I loved this book! I quite litterally couldn't put it down and had to finish it in one night. The interweaving of characters was fascinating to read. Having not seen the movie that was based on it I can't say which was better, though just by looking at the casting choices I know that they made a lot of changes. Anyway...

I loved the premise: what if everyone did a favor for three people and, instead of asking for payback, asked the person to "pay it forward" and instead help three other people. If we all did favors and told people to pay it forward, eventually the whole world would be so caught up in trying to remember how many favors they owed to other people that there wouldn't be time for gang violence and wars and all that other stuff. It would be a perfect world.

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Lauren C. (hanaleiway) reviewed Pay It Forward on 8/1/2008 + 49 more book reviews

If everyone believed and implemented what this little boy had in mind, the world would be a better place. It's quite inspiring.

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