Pay It Forward Paperback – April 27, 2010

This was another of Catherine Ryan Hyde's books, and the first one she wrote. I resisted reading it, because I remembered the movie and remembered not liking it much. But I've read everything else she wrotee, so I thought 'why not?' Given that I read all of her books, it is clear that this was her first. It isn't as clear and easy to read as the others...Lots of characters to keep track of, and the flipping back and forth between them was not helpful. Several times I had to do a search in the book to find out who the current character was.Overall I liked the book, but the ending was predictable and not especially believable.

Pay it Forward, a lovely story of hope and believability. In this time of sadness and chaos in our world, I feel regenergized by this novel. I know with confidence that kindness prevails, it always has and it always will.

This book was so unbelievably great! I never even knew, it was made into a movie, or vice versa. I just know that EVERYONE SHOULD READ THIS, AND LEARN TO PAY IT FORWARD!!! I WILL! 😊

It was a beautiful story and I fell in love with this sweet boy, Trevor! I just wish it ended differently.

So many life lessons, so many interesting characters, could not put this book down! I loved Trevor's heart , and my heart hurt knowing his circumstances are many children's realities. But through it all he was still optimistic. I myself have used this philosophy to explain my Christian way of doing untold others as you would have them do unto you.

I hardly ever do book reviews- but, I loved this book so much I have re-read it a total of three times(skipping certain passages that bored me occasionally). The idea for the book itself is interesting- A kid changing the world to the point where acts of kindness are considered "everyday" rather than "newsworthy" through a method of helping others and have them pay the kindness forward rather than return it.I orginally saw the movie and fell in love with the idealism behind it so much I knew I had to read the book- Now, I kind of wish I had just read the book- the movie leads out major details and creates HUGE gaps that the story only fills- Hyde talks in very simple terms and breaks the chapters up into first person narratives jumping from main characters to minor characters and back again- this might seem a little tedious- but, I found it extremely personal- it gave me extreme insight into what one character was feeling versus another- It also makes you feel as though everyone involved/behind the pay it forward movement is IMPORTANT.The book focuses on some points/areas the movie just does not go particularly the relationship between Arlene and Reuben... which the movie touches only the tip of the iceberg with. Their is also a major bond between Trevor and his teacher Reuben reflected better in the book than the movie... The book also covers the "Pay It Forward" method that becomes a NATIONALLY known/ effective method- in which Trevor meets the President is the focus of many news shows and newspapers... he becomes very well known and a revolutionary hero of the hour.The book is dated in the 90s- Clinton is president. One of the characters was affected by the Vietnam War and suffered burn scars. But I don't see the "liberal" agenda that so many other readers seem to have seen in it. The book is very idealistic in subject matter but, I couldn't help but WISH the world would really change for the better- if we ourselves would only change for the better. This is DEFINATELY one of those books that sticks with you long after you read it- a definate keeper in your book collection!I would not let children read this unless they are maybe fourteen or above the book- seems to appeal to the older teenagers and adults and talks about some tough issues- such as homosexuality, thugs, sex, and some other inapporiate issues for younger readers. However readers will LOVE this story about human kindness, the power of love, giving to others, and imperfect people doing extra-ordinary things. The book is PERFECT and a real treat to read. Definately hit the buy it-now button and think about PAYING IT FORWARD yourself.

Whether you call it Pay It Forward or Random Act of Kindness, the author definitely began a wave which did reach across the country and the world. I had not heard of the book but my editor encouraged me to write a story about doing random acts of kindness many years ago in our local newsletter. It was a great success in that the acts were performed and continue to be performed through this day. I moved to another state and still find people doing these acts of kindness and others thanking them on social sites. The book, however, was difficult to read in that the new characters being introduced had no true proper introduction and I wasted time thing to figure out what was going on for a few paragraphs. To say that young people could read this book is not my idea of wholesome examples. Even though the author claims the young person's version has been sanitized, it would not be my choice for an 8 to 12 year old. It is a great concept which has held true to this time and for that reason I give it 4 stars and would recommend it to others.

The world could be a better place, we can only hope people wake up. This should be required reading for humanity.

If only we could all be kind to each other, what a wonderful world we would live in. No more wars no more hate.A beautiful story of a young man who wanted to make a better world. It made me cry because we all want that.There is nothing in the story I didn't like. I wish the story was true!!I will pass this book on to all my friends and ask them as I will do to pass a kindness on to someone who needs it.

I loved this story. A wonderful author with a gift to tell it as it is. From page 1 you are on a journey with the characters through life's up and downs captured by the story and the characters. She has such a gift of storytelling, her books should be read by all .

I really enjoyed this book despite it not being a thriller like i usually prefer. It will be remembered by me for a long time. It warmed my heart.

Unfortunately, I saw the movie before I read the book so I had a lot of preconceived ideas about what this 'should' be like. I found myself comparing the two constantly when I first started reading. I really had to work hard to put aside these thoughts so that I could appreciate the book for what it was.This is a very powerful, moving story. At first I found the style a bit difficult to read as it kept jumping around to different view points. Every time the perspective changed, it almost 'jolted' me out of the story and it took me a while to get back into it. After a while, I got used to it, but I have deducted one star for this reason.The idea behind the story is beautiful and very inspiring. It is such a powerful idea that one person, one child can change the world. It also shows how inspiring teachers can be and how much influence they have over the children in their care. I won't go into detail about the plot as other reviewers have done that already but I will say that this book made me cry! This is a very thought provoking book and gives hope that one day the world can be a better place if we all do our part to help others.

I really enjoyed this book. I'd read a chapter each night sometimes laughing, sometimes angry or sad, until nearer the end when I could not put it down and it moved me to floods of tears. Loved the characters and their individual, believable stories. Highly recommend it and will explore Catherine Ryan-Hyde's other works in the hope that they are as well written as this.