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.
Yes, definitely! Everyone has a negative side to them, and we tend to focus more on the negative than the positive. We need to focus more on the positive side! We can encourage people to be positive by simply being positive ourselves. There’s a saying “if you play with dirt, you will be dirty”, therefore being “clean” and positive will have a positive affect on others and vice versa.There are too many people out there that only think of the “big picture”- that the world is full of miseries- that it is too overwhelming for them to make a difference. Sometimes they want to help but they think their action is too insignificant. Paying it forward is simple and yet it is such a great idea to change the world. It starts with the most basic step- that is the individual’s act of compassion and selflessness. The 12-year old Trevor is truly an example of it. We all should look up to him!
I have watched the movie that was based on this book a thousand moons ago, and I still can’t remember a thing that happened in the movie. So once I started this book, I started it on a clean slate and couldn’t compare it to the movie. Of course, the book is usually better anyway (although I have come across exceptions).I love the concept of this story, and also the slow-burning romance. The ending was unexpected and I should’ve seen it coming, but I didn’t. The ending also brought tears to my eyes. Overall a great, feel-good story that inspired me to do more for others.
—Books
It’s an inspirational novel... makes you rethink again about your actions http://weheartit.com/entry/73586027/s...maybe we cant help everyone...but everyone can help someone ...and this is the point of this novel http://weheartit.com/entry/65973400/s...when someone does you a big favor DONT pay it backPAY IT FORWARD...“I guess it's hard for people who are so used to things the way they are - even if they're bad - to change. 'Cause they kind of give up. And when they do, everybody kind of loses.”Deserve more than five stars
—Amani Hafs
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 as opposed to a mere adaptation. I think the film stays true to the message portrayed here and it maintains the key elements. The one thing that I think the film does better is in regards to Reuben and Arlene - the characters in the book are flawed but they seem to overcome the flaws almost too easily whilst their film counterparts seem more realistic.This is, when all is said and done, a book based on an ideal world, but wouldn't it be fantastic if everyone who has seen the film or read this book took it upon themselves to act as Trevor and do good things for others?
—Carina
