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Pay It Forward
by
Catherine Ryan Hyde (Goodreads Author)
The story of how a boy who believed in the goodness of human nature set out to change the world.
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 p ...more
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 p ...more
Paperback, 311 pages
Published
October 1st 2000
by Pocket Books
(first published January 1st 1999)
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Community Reviews
(showing 1-30)
Nov 09, 2010
Rose Ann
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
borrowed-from-library,
read-in-2010
Not many books have actually made me cry....this one did....in the last few chapters.
Bittersweet.
I originally gave this book 4 stars, but the more I thought about it, it really deserves 5 stars from me...here is why and what I took with me after reading this book:
1. The next time someone asks me how they can pay me back...I will defintely tell them to pay it forward instead!
2. Don't just SAY you are going to do something to help someone....stop talking about it and DO it. Life is short.
I liked t ...more
Bittersweet.
I originally gave this book 4 stars, but the more I thought about it, it really deserves 5 stars from me...here is why and what I took with me after reading this book:
1. The next time someone asks me how they can pay me back...I will defintely tell them to pay it forward instead!
2. Don't just SAY you are going to do something to help someone....stop talking about it and DO it. Life is short.
I liked t ...more
I was moved to read this book after hearing a couple of people at work raving about it.
I love the premise of the author's idea and how she goes about developing it within the story line. It really is an excellent story. What makes this story so engrossing to read, is how the author piggy backs from one situation to another, eventually bringing it full circle. It's like watching a row of literary dominoes fall, one on top of another; with the fall of each subsequent domino influencing the traject ...more
I love the premise of the author's idea and how she goes about developing it within the story line. It really is an excellent story. What makes this story so engrossing to read, is how the author piggy backs from one situation to another, eventually bringing it full circle. It's like watching a row of literary dominoes fall, one on top of another; with the fall of each subsequent domino influencing the traject ...more
A disfigured lonely war veteran, Social Studies teacher Reuben St. Clair, assigns an extra credit project to his class to change the world. Most do nothing, but one 13 year old student Trevor comes up with a concept to "pay it forward." Out of pure kindness, he helps three needy people, with the caveat that they repay his gift by each helping three more people in need . Meanwhile, Trevor lives with his mother, Arlene, who has been abandoned by Trevor's father and is also lonely. Trevor thinks hi
...more
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 a ...more
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 a ...more
If I hadn’t had anything else on my plate, I would have read Catherine Ryan Hyde’s Pay It Forward straight through. Even so, I pushed some things off and shuffled the schedule around in order to make time for reading.
I had seen the movie a few years ago, but hadn’t been aware until recently that it had been based on a book. Usually the books are better and more satisfying than the movies that are based on them, so I was happy to find a copy of “Pay It Forward” in my local library. After reading ...more
I had seen the movie a few years ago, but hadn’t been aware until recently that it had been based on a book. Usually the books are better and more satisfying than the movies that are based on them, so I was happy to find a copy of “Pay It Forward” in my local library. After reading ...more
In this exciting book a boy named Trevor gets a project from his Social Studies teacher to somehow change the world. But Trevor to this project to a totally different level then his teacher Ruben expected. Trevor decided to create a movement called "pay it forward." To help make the world a better place. This book talks about his journey along the way and how he pays it forward to society. I would most definitely recommend this book. It was a very inspiring and easy to read.
I began this book rather dismissively. At a few pages in I was tempted to just flick it as a twee concept.....and suddenly found myself hooked in by the characterisation. I remained glued for the few hours it took to read the book (oh I wish I could read more slowly!) and at the end - yes, it's a twee concept but it was a brilliant read and I wanted to know more about ALL the characters and if they were ok......
So.....all we are missing for the world to change is a mysterious alchemical thing th ...more
So.....all we are missing for the world to change is a mysterious alchemical thing th ...more
I really wish the movie would have stuck to the characters/situations that were in the book. It's totally different from the movie but the same if that makes any sense. Reuben was just weird in the movie. In the book his character was really well written and more understandable than the movie. I wasn't as shocked at the ending in the book since I had seen the movie but then again the movie ended with Trevor. The book didn't. I'm really glad I read this book.
A book that if the world we live in was the one Trevor wants for us, WOULD change the world.
And it just could. I've seen the film years ago but don't remember feeling anywhere near as moved as I was in reading the novel. I finished having to wipe tears away so I could read the final pages.
A 12 year old boy, on being asked to come up with an idea to change the world in his Social Science class, creates the idea of 'Pay it Forward', doing good deeds for others and then rather than paying back the ...more
And it just could. I've seen the film years ago but don't remember feeling anywhere near as moved as I was in reading the novel. I finished having to wipe tears away so I could read the final pages.
A 12 year old boy, on being asked to come up with an idea to change the world in his Social Science class, creates the idea of 'Pay it Forward', doing good deeds for others and then rather than paying back the ...more
Jul 16, 2008
Brigid *Flying Kick-a-pow!*
rated it
did not like it
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
nobody!
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
I am so happy to be a part of Catherine Ryan Hyde's read and review team in the UK. I love her books and look forward to each one as she releases them.
This story was different to some of the books she has written about as in style of writing. I found it fascinating to read it from all angles, and from Trevor's point of view as a child.
I think most reviews have expressed what the book is about, and the extra challenge that was weaved in, Trevor taking this seriously did a superb job to change th ...more
This story was different to some of the books she has written about as in style of writing. I found it fascinating to read it from all angles, and from Trevor's point of view as a child.
I think most reviews have expressed what the book is about, and the extra challenge that was weaved in, Trevor taking this seriously did a superb job to change th ...more
For a book with such a contrived plot, stupid and shallow characters, completely predictable ending, strange acting choices (on audio), and prose that mercilessly buggers the reader/listener with marathons of cliches, Pay It Forward was inspiring. I was inspired to throw my hands in the air every few minutes shouting "REALLY!? THEY CAN'T BE SERIOUS" at the idiotic plot turns and character developments. To take a phrase that has been around for at least a hundred years and treat it like it's a ne
...more
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.
I saw the 2000 film adaptation of Pay It Forward in my health and human services class, so I figured I should read the book, and I can easily say that although the film was good, the book was better by far! The characters feel much more real and "alive" in the book, the descriptions of everything are well-detailed and incredibly vivid, and the book itself is both depressing and very hopeful. It's an excellent novel about selflessness, empathy and understanding, and about how we all have it in ou
...more
Mi chiamo Chris Chandler e sono un giornalista. Un giorno, quasi per caso, ho scoperto che un ragazzino di dodici anni poteva cambiare il mondo. Grazie a una buona idea. Un'idea semplice, facile da mettere in pratica.
Così è nata la "Formula": la Formula del Cuore.
'La Forumula del Cuore' è quello che non ti aspetti: una vagonata di emozioni che prendono possesso del tuo corpo con naturalezza, quasi inconsapevolmente.
Reuben St. Clair è il nuovo insegnante di una piccola cittadina di nome Atascade ...more
Pay it Forward by Catherine Ryan Hyde is about a 12 year old boy named Trevor who is in 7th grade. During this year his social studies teacher gives the class an extra-credit assignment to make a difference in the world. Trevor took this assignment very seriously and decided to create a world changing movement called "Pay it Forward". Throughout the book it shows diary entries from Trevor. It is also written in 3rd person omniscient, meaning there are many narrators through out the story. The bo
...more
Feb 21, 2015
Melissa Martin
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
first-reads,
own
I won this book in a GOODREADS FIRST READS GIVEAWAY!
I remember watching this movie years ago and how much it touched my heart. A sweet little boy wanting to do better in the world by paying it forward. This is such a wonderful idea.
I think it's wonderful that Catherine Ryan Hyde started the Pay It Forward Foundation. I'm going to be buying some of the bracelets to wear in case I ever forget. Not everything in this world has to be so bad.
The characters in the book are great in their own unique ...more
I remember watching this movie years ago and how much it touched my heart. A sweet little boy wanting to do better in the world by paying it forward. This is such a wonderful idea.
I think it's wonderful that Catherine Ryan Hyde started the Pay It Forward Foundation. I'm going to be buying some of the bracelets to wear in case I ever forget. Not everything in this world has to be so bad.
The characters in the book are great in their own unique ...more
One of the most beautiful stories I've read.
This is about a teacher who starts a new project in his class: each student had to create something they think could change the world. That is when Trevor appears with a revolutionary way of spreading forgiveness and love. It was called the "Play it Forward" system. If Trevor helped out 3 people, those 3 people had to help other 3 and that on and on until everybody has helped and was helped by someone. Being a kind hearted, Trevor puts that in reality ...more
This is about a teacher who starts a new project in his class: each student had to create something they think could change the world. That is when Trevor appears with a revolutionary way of spreading forgiveness and love. It was called the "Play it Forward" system. If Trevor helped out 3 people, those 3 people had to help other 3 and that on and on until everybody has helped and was helped by someone. Being a kind hearted, Trevor puts that in reality ...more
I check off "books that made me cry" for any book that will bring a lump to my throat, even if there are no actual tears. This is one book, and the only book at that, that made me actually sob, put the book down and have a good cry, before picking it up to carry on reading. I've never found another book since then that has impacted me in the same way.
May 31, 2016
Hannah L
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Recommended to Hannah by:
Catherine Gaston
Pay It Forward, by Catherine Ryan Hyde, is about a young boy named Trevor who decides to change the world based off of his one idea, paying it forward. The novel is written showing all of the main characters points of views, allowing everyones thoughts and ideas to be read.
Paying the kindness forward; that's all Trevor wanted. Trevor, and young boy, was given an extra credit assignment to create an idea that could change the world. He went above and beyond to actually perform this act of kindnes ...more
Paying the kindness forward; that's all Trevor wanted. Trevor, and young boy, was given an extra credit assignment to create an idea that could change the world. He went above and beyond to actually perform this act of kindnes ...more
Mar 29, 2016
Kellie
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Recommended to Kellie by:
Lilian
The beginning was alright. The ending was heartbreaking. < / 3
Books such as this one tend to make me doubt my ability to digest and appreciate what so many other readers seem to be able to do. I ask myself, did this book actually achieve it's popularity because it became a well known movie? I have found a couple other books written by Hyde to be stunning; profound; worth a second read but this novel leaves me going "huh?". First of all, I had to flip back and forth and back and forth during the first few "chapters" (if you can call them that) to figure out
...more
So I saw this movie years ago. The book as so often is the case, far outstripped the movie. Things that took me by surprise included:
1. This book literally had me bust out laughing on more than one occasion. It was fantastic to have such sarcasm and wit mixed into a story I would consider a drama.
2. I didn't remember things from the movie that were present in the book, like the enormity of the project, how it had taken on a life of it's own, that by the narrator's introduction tells you has chan ...more
1. This book literally had me bust out laughing on more than one occasion. It was fantastic to have such sarcasm and wit mixed into a story I would consider a drama.
2. I didn't remember things from the movie that were present in the book, like the enormity of the project, how it had taken on a life of it's own, that by the narrator's introduction tells you has chan ...more
I found this book to be interesting from the first chapter. I don't usually read fiction novels that are not romances, since I write romance, so I'm always checking out the competition. But this book made me cry at the end. The story of a teen-aged boy who tries to change the world, seemed like a plot tailor-made for being a sloppy, feel-good kind of polemic about how people need to learn how to be more trusting. But the characters of his mother Arlene, his teacher Reuben St. Clair, his neighbor
...more
Pay it Forward, written by Catherine Ryan Hyde begins with a teacher everyone thought was crazy. He publicized an extra credit activity he thought the class would at least try. Some kids tried but one stood out to Mr. Reuben, Trevor a twelve year old participant in Mr. Reuben's class. This book expressed the importance of the journey and how much more excitement the journey is than the destination. So, when Trevor did this extra credit work he surprised his teacher. He showed his teacher how any
...more
My Sunday School teacher recommended this book to me - I think though I saw the film version first, and that was a number of years after the book had been recommended, as it wasn't until I had seen the film, bought the DVD and re-watched it that I realised there was a book and remembered the recommendation.
If you are reading this book after seeing the film you might be surprised, as I was, with some of the changes made to the narrative - in some ways it makes them into two very separate entities ...more
If you are reading this book after seeing the film you might be surprised, as I was, with some of the changes made to the narrative - in some ways it makes them into two very separate entities ...more
Let me start by saying I am a huge fan of author Catherine Ryan Hyde. My favorite of her novels is "Walk me Home," which tugged at my heart strings while I compulsively turned pages. This one I admire more than I loved. It's very readable and relatable. The characters are interesting. And the idea is brilliant, one I believe sparked a movement in real life. The concept of paying it forward is not a new one - my favorite hokey fifties movie "Magnificent Obsession" is about that very thing - but t
...more
I listened to this book, and it kept me awake for the best part of the night. I have seen the movie, which I liked very much. There are things in the book, that I didn't remember from the movie, so I guess I will have to watch the movie again, to see about the differences. The idea of paying it forward, is a very good one. It would be great to see people helping others as they did in this book. This is a good read. I have been reading other books by Catherine Ryan Hyde, in the last few months. C
...more
Okay - I have to give five stars to a book that makes me weep like this one did, but I couldn't shake the feeling that I was being manipulated by the author. It would be so nice if an idea like this worked - so very nice - but so very unlikely. I do believe in doing favours for people, and in a much smaller way than this book people do already often do favours for each other, and some people do huge favours - look at Bill Gates attempting to eradicate 10 diseases. But I don't see a world without
...more
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Around the Year i...: Pay It Forward, by Catherine Ryan Hyde | 1 | 11 | Jun 01, 2016 09:54PM | |
| Book Lovers: Pay It Forward | 3 | 5 | May 03, 2015 10:46AM |
I'm the the author of 30 published and forthcoming books.
My newest releases are Ask Him Why, Worthy, The Language of Hoofbeats, Take Me With You , Where We Belong, Walk Me Home, Subway Dancer and Other Stories, When You Were Older, Don’t Let Me Go, When I Found You, Second Hand Heart, The Long, Steep Path: Everyday Inspiration From the Author of Pay It Forward, Always Chloe and Other Stories, and ...more
More about Catherine Ryan Hyde...
My newest releases are Ask Him Why, Worthy, The Language of Hoofbeats, Take Me With You , Where We Belong, Walk Me Home, Subway Dancer and Other Stories, When You Were Older, Don’t Let Me Go, When I Found You, Second Hand Heart, The Long, Steep Path: Everyday Inspiration From the Author of Pay It Forward, Always Chloe and Other Stories, and ...more
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“There is no wrong way to perform an act of kindness.”
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“If you want to see a man come to his senses, try something like, Do you happen to carry a rubber in your wallet? Did I mention I'm not on the pill?”
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