Scan barcode
A review by kandicez
Pay It Forward by Catherine Ryan Hyde
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.