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permanme's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Violence, and War
Minor: Suicide attempt
dlohmann's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
lisaeirene's review against another edition
5.0
It started as a school assignment for 13 year old Trevor. He invented the "movement" Pay it Forward. Doing something good and nice for someone in need just because they need it, with the stipulation that they "pay it forward". Trevor helped his elderly neighbor by fixing up her garden. She loved it and it made her happy to finally see her garden in it's glory again. Sadly, she passed away but her "pay it forward" good deed was to split her life insurance money three ways between the woman at the cat shelter and the two cashiers at the local grocery store who always asked how she was and actually listened. And then those three people paid it forward. It caught on and suddenly it was spreading everywhere!
There was more to the story, but I don't want to give it all away. I know this is an older book and a lot of people have already read it and have probably seen the movie based on the book, but the ending was heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time. I loved the book!
There was more to the story, but I don't want to give it all away. I know this is an older book and a lot of people have already read it and have probably seen the movie based on the book, but the ending was heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time. I loved the book!
illbefinealone's review against another edition
5.0
I can't believe it took me so long to actually come around to reading this book, especially because it's such a beautiful story, and it so wonderfully executed.
aohkait's review
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death
manadabomb's review against another edition
4.0
My book reading mojo went away for a bit. I've just been consuming newspapers and magazines but, honestly, with the world the way it is now, I started getting depressed. Pay It Foward ended up on my doorstep and was the perfect remedy for the hate and fear running around outside.
I think most, if not all, people know the concept of paying it forward. You help out someone who needs it and, instead of asking for anything in return, you ask the person to help out three people. Those three people help out three other people and so on. A movement of kindness sweeps across the world, wars are ended, enemies hug it out and everyone lives happily ever after. That's the gist, anyways.
I try to regularly do something for someone and then hope they pay the kindness forward. It's an honor system and we know how those work. But I still do it and still hope. This novel is about Trevor, a 12 year old, who gets an assignment from his teacher, Reuben St. Clair, to think about how one person can change the world and then to go out and do it. Trevor's idea was very simple. Help three people then ask them to help three more, etc. etc. Trevor does his bit but he's certain no one else has until a reporter shows up asking about the kid who got gangs to stop killing each other.
The senseless violence at the end wasn't necessary to make this an impactful book and I wish the ending had been different. The book made it's mark, without that ending. I understand there's a movie based on the book but I have not seen it, nor will I :) Books are ALWAYS better than the movie.
Go pay it forward.
I think most, if not all, people know the concept of paying it forward. You help out someone who needs it and, instead of asking for anything in return, you ask the person to help out three people. Those three people help out three other people and so on. A movement of kindness sweeps across the world, wars are ended, enemies hug it out and everyone lives happily ever after. That's the gist, anyways.
I try to regularly do something for someone and then hope they pay the kindness forward. It's an honor system and we know how those work. But I still do it and still hope. This novel is about Trevor, a 12 year old, who gets an assignment from his teacher, Reuben St. Clair, to think about how one person can change the world and then to go out and do it. Trevor's idea was very simple. Help three people then ask them to help three more, etc. etc. Trevor does his bit but he's certain no one else has until a reporter shows up asking about the kid who got gangs to stop killing each other.
The senseless violence at the end wasn't necessary to make this an impactful book and I wish the ending had been different. The book made it's mark, without that ending. I understand there's a movie based on the book but I have not seen it, nor will I :) Books are ALWAYS better than the movie.
Go pay it forward.
crtsjffrsn's review
4.0
Reuben St. Clair has given an extra credit assignment in his social studies class for years, asking students to come up with something they can do to change the world for the better. But never has he seen a student take the project as seriously as Trevor McKinney whose project, "Pay It Forward," has wide-reaching and unexpected effects that create a national movement. The simplicity of Trevor's idea makes it easy to achieve, and his dedication to seeing it through invigorates the project with a real spirit. But his dedication to its success might also blind him to the the actual successes it is achieving overall. In the end, this is a story about how a little extra kindness in our world can go a long way to make a difference for those we help but also stretch to people we have never even met.
I did really enjoy this book, but I must tell you it immediately made me dislike the film (I think I was only a chapter in . Unfortunately, the film is white-washed in a number of ways and important content that apparently wouldn't play well to mainstream filmgoers at the time of the movie's release (alcoholism, child abuse, LGBT characters, hate crimes, etc.) was written out of the film adaptation. And what's sad is that the story is far less powerful for it. I do encourage people to read the book, even if you've seen the movie (and liked it or didn't), as I think the story in its original form is impactful, inspiring, and interesting.
I did really enjoy this book, but I must tell you it immediately made me dislike the film (I think I was only a chapter in . Unfortunately, the film is white-washed in a number of ways and important content that apparently wouldn't play well to mainstream filmgoers at the time of the movie's release (alcoholism, child abuse, LGBT characters, hate crimes, etc.) was written out of the film adaptation. And what's sad is that the story is far less powerful for it. I do encourage people to read the book, even if you've seen the movie (and liked it or didn't), as I think the story in its original form is impactful, inspiring, and interesting.
inesffricardo's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Livro com uma premissa muito nobre e bonita. Espero que muitas pessoas leiam este livro e reflitam no poder da generosidade e altruísmo.
Apesar de ter adorado a premissa, senti que a relação de Arlene e Reuben se tornou no foco central da história, pondo em segundo plano o assunto que mais me interessava. Na verdade, achei a relação entre os dois demasiada “comercial” e forçada.
Por outro lado, adorei completamente a relação Reuben-Trevor.
Ainda assim, não estava de todo à espera do fim. Mas senti que houve de alguma forma um “ciclo” que se completou, e que todos os acontecimentos/ verdades se encaixaram poeticamente no fim.
“Se continuarmos a fazer o que sempre fizemos, continuamos a receber em troca o que sempre recebemos. É loucura fazer sempre a mesma coisa e estar sempre à espera de um resultado diferente”
[Lido em formato físico]
Apesar de ter adorado a premissa, senti que a relação de Arlene e Reuben se tornou no foco central da história, pondo em segundo plano o assunto que mais me interessava. Na verdade, achei a relação entre os dois demasiada “comercial” e forçada.
Por outro lado, adorei completamente a relação Reuben-Trevor.
Ainda assim, não estava de todo à espera do fim. Mas senti que houve de alguma forma um “ciclo” que se completou, e que todos os acontecimentos/ verdades se encaixaram poeticamente no fim.
“Se continuarmos a fazer o que sempre fizemos, continuamos a receber em troca o que sempre recebemos. É loucura fazer sempre a mesma coisa e estar sempre à espera de um resultado diferente”
[Lido em formato físico]