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alexavi's review against another edition
4.0
I read this at the request of an old teacher with whom I keep in touch. This book evoked more emotion out of me than I thought it would. I brushed the book off initially thinking that the concept is fantastic, but this book is for middle schoolers, so what am I doing reading this? Yet, here we are.
For me, it was slow in the beginning, so I put it off for a long time. It felt inactive and uninteresting, which is why it lost a star. But at some point, the pace picked up, and I met new characters, empathized, invested in relationships/outcomes, chuckled, etc. Here we are, and I actually enjoyed it more than I thought I would. It wasn’t the smoothest read and was written in a … unique.. style, but I don’t think it took too much away from the story.
Wayyyyyyyyyy more intense than I thought it would be for a kids book (it says for ages 8-12). Most people have issues with books like this that have serious topics, and that it’s still for kids. And, hey, I get it. However, personally, when I was 8-12, I could have handled this. Not to say I wasn’t like other kids (well I wasn’t), but many kids would not understand the full severity of each problem that arose in the book, so, in a sense, this book would be “wasted” on them. I feel like waiting for them to be somewhat older or on the older spectrum of the 8-12 would be best for them to understand it better and treat it with more.. reverence(?) I guess, though each kid is different. I also don’t think it’s right for parents to rate this book so harshly for that aspect. Having serious real-life topics does not take away from its literary merit nor “goodness” (it can sometimes quite possibly add to it).
I would recommend a reflective approach to this book. Rate and review it based on yourself- you can add at the end a PSA of your OPINION (key word there) on whether [your] children should read this at a younger age based on its content (don’t ban it from them forever- they should be choosing what they do and do not read freely). After this book gives you a positive idea of how the world could change and maybe some hope, remember.. to pay it forward ;)
For me, it was slow in the beginning, so I put it off for a long time. It felt inactive and uninteresting, which is why it lost a star. But at some point, the pace picked up, and I met new characters, empathized, invested in relationships/outcomes, chuckled, etc. Here we are, and I actually enjoyed it more than I thought I would. It wasn’t the smoothest read and was written in a … unique.. style, but I don’t think it took too much away from the story.
Wayyyyyyyyyy more intense than I thought it would be for a kids book (it says for ages 8-12). Most people have issues with books like this that have serious topics, and that it’s still for kids. And, hey, I get it. However, personally, when I was 8-12, I could have handled this. Not to say I wasn’t like other kids (well I wasn’t), but many kids would not understand the full severity of each problem that arose in the book, so, in a sense, this book would be “wasted” on them. I feel like waiting for them to be somewhat older or on the older spectrum of the 8-12 would be best for them to understand it better and treat it with more.. reverence(?) I guess, though each kid is different. I also don’t think it’s right for parents to rate this book so harshly for that aspect. Having serious real-life topics does not take away from its literary merit nor “goodness” (it can sometimes quite possibly add to it).
I would recommend a reflective approach to this book. Rate and review it based on yourself- you can add at the end a PSA of your OPINION (key word there) on whether [your] children should read this at a younger age based on its content (don’t ban it from them forever- they should be choosing what they do and do not read freely). After this book gives you a positive idea of how the world could change and maybe some hope, remember.. to pay it forward ;)
novelesque_life's review against another edition
2.0
2.5 STARS
"Pay It Forward, is the moving story of Trevor McKinney, a 12-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." (From Amazon)
Don't know why i read it as I did not care for the movie. The concept is cool though!
"Pay It Forward, is the moving story of Trevor McKinney, a 12-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." (From Amazon)
Don't know why i read it as I did not care for the movie. The concept is cool though!
sheritolley's review against another edition
4.0
Loved this book. I still find myself thinking about it.
kandicez's review against another edition
4.0
I remembered this movie from the 90s and had a sappy feeling when I thought of it, but still dove right in because usually if you enjoy a movie the book is infinitely better. I found that to be the case here.
The entire premise of the book is a Social Studies extra credit assignment to think of a way to better the world. Trevor MicKinney takes the assignment to heart. Trevor is the only child of a hard working, tender-hearted (kind of) down on her luck single mother. He is wise beyond his years and his maturity matches his wisdom. Trevor’s big idea is simple. Do something for three people. Something big. It doesn't need to involve money, but must be important to the person you are doing it for. That person will then “Pay it forward” to three others. Seriously, stop reading and do a tiny bit of the math. 1 X 3 X 9 X 27 X 81 X 243... it could touch the entire country in a year. In the novel, it does.
One of the people Trevor helps is a homeless man who ends up going to jail. He then “Pays it forward” in such a way that it works it way to New York gangs and catches on like gangbusters. Gang violence is down 80% and the police don’t know why. Who would ever think a little boy began this whole movement. The Movement, by the way, is what the gangs have taken to calling it.
I hate reviews that spoil the plot so I won’t spell it all out, but it takes a while for Trevor to be recognized and when he is the reward is unjust. Was it sappy? A bit, and I admit I shed a tear or two, but it was a lovely tale and I was happy to see how those around Trevor benefited.
The entire premise of the book is a Social Studies extra credit assignment to think of a way to better the world. Trevor MicKinney takes the assignment to heart. Trevor is the only child of a hard working, tender-hearted (kind of) down on her luck single mother. He is wise beyond his years and his maturity matches his wisdom. Trevor’s big idea is simple. Do something for three people. Something big. It doesn't need to involve money, but must be important to the person you are doing it for. That person will then “Pay it forward” to three others. Seriously, stop reading and do a tiny bit of the math. 1 X 3 X 9 X 27 X 81 X 243... it could touch the entire country in a year. In the novel, it does.
One of the people Trevor helps is a homeless man who ends up going to jail. He then “Pays it forward” in such a way that it works it way to New York gangs and catches on like gangbusters. Gang violence is down 80% and the police don’t know why. Who would ever think a little boy began this whole movement. The Movement, by the way, is what the gangs have taken to calling it.
I hate reviews that spoil the plot so I won’t spell it all out, but it takes a while for Trevor to be recognized and when he is the reward is unjust. Was it sappy? A bit, and I admit I shed a tear or two, but it was a lovely tale and I was happy to see how those around Trevor benefited.
hock3599's review against another edition
3.0
Short, quick, easy read that is written better than it should be for something geared towards a younger demographic. The power of the story carries a lot of weight throughout the book and while some bits about the adult relationship move a little too fast, the outcome lands well. Good character development and dialogue worked well enough, as well. The beats are very similar to the movie, but the ending might work even better here.
badassbookbestie's review against another edition
3.0
https://bribeebrown.com/pay-it-forward-by-catherine-ryan-hyde/
robin_vdputte's review against another edition
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
alifromkc1907's review against another edition
5.0
Gut Instinct Rating: 5
Characters: 4.75
Believability: 4.5
Uniqueness: 5
Writing Style: 5
Excitement Factor: 4
Story Line: 5
Title Relevance: 5
Artwork Relevance: 5
Audiobook Narration: 5
Overall: 4.83
Characters: 4.75
Believability: 4.5
Uniqueness: 5
Writing Style: 5
Excitement Factor: 4
Story Line: 5
Title Relevance: 5
Artwork Relevance: 5
Audiobook Narration: 5
Overall: 4.83