Third Quarter Outside Reading Book Review

Pay It Forward by Catherine Ryan Hyde. Pocket Books, 1999.
Genre: Fiction


Catherine Hyde’s second novel Pay It Forward is absolutely fascinating with the way she makes an idea thought to be unbelievable and impossible, in fact believable and possible. Set in a small California town in the 1990’s lives twelve-year-old Trevor McKinney, son of Arlene, a recovering alcoholic who works more than one job, and Ricky, an absent father, that hasn’t been around for years. While returning back to school after the summer, Trevor’s new social studies teacher, Reuben St. Clair decides to give his class an extra credit assignment of thinking of an idea for world change, and putting it into action. Young Trevor comes up with the idea of paying it forward, which later becomes known as ‘The Movement.’ Trevor decides to pick three people at random, and do a big favor for each of the three people. When those people would ask how they could repay him, he would tell him to simply pay it forward, and thus a chain of human acts of kindness would grow. Little did Trevor know, this plan would touch and inspire more people then he thought possible.

“Speaks to the hunger so many of us feel for something to believe in that can give us hope….Hyde’s book delivers a profound vision: The simple magic of the human heart.” – San Francisco Chronicle.


Pay it forward is written a very unique way. Many characters such as Trevor, his mother Arlene, his teacher Rueben along with all the people that were helped or who paid it forward, narrate the story. The story is also written with excerpts by Chris Chandler, who was the reporter in the story who tracked down where the movement began and who started it. He was the reporter that made sure everyone knew about Trevor and his idea. The story also contains excerpts from Trevor’s diary where he talks about his progress with the movement among many other family issues. This book allows you to see through the various eyes of the characters and how the Movement impacted their lives.

“What made you all care so much? Why is this such a big story? This is our world. It’s the only one we got. And it’s gotten so damn hard to live in. And we care. How can we not care? There are our lives we’re talking about. And then a little boy came along, and he decided maybe he could change the whole thing. The whole world order. Make it a decent place to live for everybody. Maybe because he was too young and optimistic and inexperienced to know it couldn’t be done.” – Rueben (302)

This book’s theme and main message I thought was very important. We only have one Earth, and we should care. The Earth shouldn’t be a place for evil, it should be a place for everyone to live decent lives, and be kind to one another. People don’t realize how lucky our lives are, and take advantage of that. This book really taught me a lot about how to treat others, and really a simple act of kindness can go a long way and affect someone so deeply that you never thought it could happen. I also like the way the story is told in various points of views. I especially liked hearing from the people who participated in the Movement, and how they paid it forward. The characters in the book are also brutally honest, which I thought was enjoyable to read.

BIG E MADNESS

Listen for the little kid crying in the backgroundd.

Through The Good And The Bad

I head down to the girls locker room of the Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne, where all the girls are getting ready. I sit down next to Kylie, my best friend.
“Hey, nice of you to show up this morning Emma.” Says Kylie.
“I missed the bus.” I reply lacing up my sneakers. Then, grabbing our rackets and water, Kylie and I walk upstairs onto the courts for a long day of practice.

Dying of thirst, I take a long drink from my water. It’s been a long day.
“Emma! Breaks over!” Shouts Coach Durham in an authoritarian voice. I quickly run over to where everyone is circling around him.
“As you all know, in two weeks the 33rd Annual Rod Laver Girls Junior Open begins. There you will be competing for the opportunity to train in Germany along with a hundred thousand dollars in prize money. So rest up.” All the girls begin walking back downstairs to the locker room.
“Want to take a walk down the board walk before we head home?” Asks Kylie.
“Absolutely.” I reply.

Kylie and I stroll down the boardwalk where we have walked everyday since we met; which was thirteen years ago. It holds many memories for us. Like when we had our first fight, where we realized boys didn’t have cooties after all, and where we both decided to play tennis competitively. We almost reach Kylie's house when she begins hyperventilating.
“Are you okay?" I ask.
Suddenly Kylie passes out on the sidewalk. I scream for help and dial 911.

The tournament was starting tomorrow, and Kylie was still in the hospital. Doctors at the hospital had been taking tests for weeks, still finding no reason for her collapse. I can’t stop thinking about her as I walk down the hallway, taking a left into her room. I then see Kylie with quietly sobbing in her hospital bed, surrounded by her doctor and mother.
“What happened?” I ask in panic.

Struggling for words Ella capriciously blurts, “I have Nephrotic Syndrome; and need a kidney transplant. I wouldn’t need one, but since I was only born with one kidney, I absolutely need a new one. But my mom isn’t a match and there isn’t an affluent amount of kidneys available. Plus we could never afford a procedure like this.” Kylie finally catches her breath.
“Well, what about the tournament!?" I ask with much enthusiasm.
“What about it?” Kylie asks.
“Well, if I win, I can give you the money.” I reply with a smile.
“No, I couldn’t take that from you! And plus, what if you don’t make it?”
“Either way, we're going to get through this.”

Day-by-day Kylie was getting weaker, and that was all I thought about as I step onto the court ready to face my opponent from Croatia. After warming up and getting in the zone, the match begins and the first set goes smoothly as I win. I begin to lose prowess in the second, which the Croatian wins. About two hours later, we are in the third set. Tie break. Back and forth we go, until I serve a game ending double fault. Match over.

“How will Kylie ever get her kidney now! I lost the tournament and she’s getting sicker. What do I do mom?”
“You can’t save everyone Emma. Kylie will get her transplant, we just need to be patient.”
“Mom! She’s dying!” I lamented.


The next day I walk into the hospital with a yen to speak with Dr.Sheppard, Kylie's doctor.
“How may I help you Emma?”
“I want to see if I am a match for Kylie.”
After a long discourse, Dr. Sheppard concurred. I can’t believe it. I am an exact match!I run into Kylie’s room.
“Kylie, I’m a match! And I’m going in for surgery soon!”

“Are you serious! Oh my god, thank you so much! How can I ever possibly thank you?”
“Don’t be stupid.” I say beginning to reprimand her.
“You’re a big part of my life Kylie. I need you here and if that means giving you a kidney, then by all means.”

3 hours and still counting. Kylie is still in surgery. I sit on a bench outside the OR with Kylie's mother. Minutes later, Dr. Sheppard walks out of the OR with a grave countenance on his face. I sense something is wrong. Kylie’s mom rises with facial pallor, walking quickly over to the doctor.
“What’s wrong?” Kylie’s mom asks frantically.
“Ms. Hewitt, I am so sorry. There were some complications. We found clotting in her heart, and she is so feeble we cannot operate on her again. She has about 24 hours.”
I walk over and hug Kylie’s mom as she and I both begin to cry. Kylie’s condition is getting worse, so Kylie's mother goes in first to see her. About an hour later Kylie's mother comes out of the room.
“She’s asking for you Emma. Take as long as you need.”

I walk into the room and before I even speak I begin to cry.
“Kylie please stay. Don’t go, fight through it. I know you can! If you can train with sardonic Coach Durham, you can do anything!”
“Emma, I am so sorry. No friend should ever put their friend through something like this.”
“Now you stop right there. You have been the greatest friend I have ever had. We have been through so much together, the good and the bad.”
“Your kidney didn’t work! The surgery was just a waste!”
“Now listen you! I would have given you that kidney any day, any time, because that’s what friends do. They show their love in times of trouble.”
“I am going to miss you so much Emma, you have no idea.”

The machine next to Kylie begins to go off, and Kylie’s eyes begin to close. This is it, I thought.
“Kylie hang on!” Nurses begin to rush in. Through the commotion, I hear Kylie whisper, “Best friends…always and forever. ” Kylie flat lines and I begin to cry even louder. The nurses cover Kylie’s body. I slowly rise from the floor. Why her? She was perfectly fine weeks ago. This all happened so fast. She deserved to live, not die. But I guess its true. Even the best of friends must part.

Second Quarter Outside Reading Book Review

Marley & Me by John Grogan. HarperCollins, 2005. Genre: Nonfiction

Marley & Me is a touching and memorable story about one family and a dog that would change their lives forever. This story begins with a young married couple, Jenny and John Grogan who begin to live their lives together in Palm Beach, Florida. However life would never be the same after they bring home Marley. Since the day they brought home their rowdy yellow fur ball of energy, trouble was around every corner. Marley, despite his flaws of destroying furniture, clawing through walls and excessive drooling, was always a member of the family. This story is about the life and love with the world’s worst dog, and the roller coaster journey of Marley’s life, through all the ups and downs.

“Expect to laugh, cry, and shake your head as you read this book. John Grogan understands that the journeys that people and dogs sometimes take together are a reflection of us and our world – of our own humanity and of the joys and sorrows and ups and downs of life. Marley is a great and memorable dog, and in the hands of a write as observant, unsentimental and piercing s Grogan, this is a human-canine journey dog lovers will want to take.” – Jon Katz, best-selling author of A Dog Year and Dogs of Bedlam Farm.

Marley & Me is John Grogan’s first book and by reading this book, I would have never guessed. Marley & Me is such a heartwarming story about love and the bond between a man and a dog. Marley, since day one, was always trouble for Jenny and John Grogan. Whether he pretended to be a chipper – shredder, shredding through an entire wall, or exploring the inside of couches contents. Marley is adventurous, wild, and free. Grogan describes Marley to be energetic and full of happiness despite being constantly scolded and after reading the book, it is very clear, Marley to me is simply high on life. Grogan has very unique writing style. He uses a lot of humor and turns the saddest parts into something more hopeful and optimistic for the readers. Its almost like he doesn’t want the reader to experience the hardships in his family’s life, but to look forward with a better note, kind of like telling the reader, ‘don’t worry, we got past it, its in the past, its over, done.’

“As we fought, Jenny absently walked to the stereo and pushed the play button on the tape deck. It was one of her marital combat strategies. When in doubt, drown out your opponent. The lilting reggae strains of Bob Marley began to pulse through the speakers, having an almost instant mellowing effect on us both.” (12)

After reading Marley & Me I found myself in love with Marley despite all his flaws and mishaps. Even tough Marley was the world worst dog; literally, you can’t help but love him. John and Marley’s relationship really showed what a love-hate relationship is, and how a dog is a mans best friend. I really enjoyed how Grogan made the book humorous and also very descriptive. I really enjoy how he sets the scene for the reader letting them get a setting in their mind before he goes of on another one of Marley’s incidents. Grogan really allows the reader to tap into his life, making it so that the reader is part of Marley’s journey through life. A life that was at times wild, crazy, painful, and sad.

First Quarter Outside Reading Book Review

My Sister’s Keeper by Jodi Picoult. Washington Square Press, 2004. Genre: Realistic Fiction

My Sister’s Keeper is both a powerful and suspenseful novel that will have you constantly turning the pages for more. This book is about the tragedy of a family that lives in the suburbs of Providence, Rhode Island. The story begins with a little girl named Kate Fitzgerald being diagnosed with leukemia. In order to keep Kate alive, her parents decide to have another child that would be a genetic match for their very ill daughter. And thus Anna Fitzgerald is born. Since the day Anna was born she has been helping her sick sister Kate out with whatever her body needs. But when Kate is sixteen, she has a bad relapse, and is later informed that she will need a Kidney transplant. Anna is expected to give Kate one of her kidneys; that is until she sues her family for medical emancipation.

“It’s difficult to find a book combining a timely moral dilemma with well-drawn characters for whom one cares. Picoult has written such a book.” – The Boston Herald

This book is unlike any book Jodi Picoult has written. It is very unlike Jodi to write about such a debatable topic of genetic engineering. The main character Anna is the product of genetic engineering and throughout the story questions who she is. This book is not just about Anna’s medical journey but the journey about finding herself, and who she is.
I am familiar with a book called The Genetic Revolution by a man named Dr. Patrick Dixon. I have not read his book but I have heard that it is all about genetic engineering, and that being able to genetically create your child is like playing God, which many find controversial. It is interesting to read a book that starts off with the creation of a child through genetics.

“I wasn’t the result of a cheap bottle of wine or a full moon or the heat of the moment. I was born because a scientist managed to hook up my mother’s eggs and my father’s sperm to create a specific combination of precious genetic material.” (Pg:7-8)

I am a big fan of Jodi Picoult. I have read many of her books, and all of them were great, but none of them compared to My Sister’s Keeper. A lot of Picoult’s books are very emotional and dramatic, but reading her books never affected me emotionally until I read My Sister’s Keeper. Just the way the story was built, and how it was told from seven different points of views. The main character Anna’s point of view was the most interesting to read. She is so bright, and intelligent at age thirteen, and I was amazed at just how comfortable she was at being honest even if it was hurtful. I know that I will have a long time to wait before I read another great book like this.

Singing Till The Sun Rises

In today’s society, we live in a world where people have TV shows to find their BFF, an up and down economy, and celebrities who move on to buy their third and fourth houses. But how are we Americans able to tell what makes something valuable and valueless? Is it the valuable and expensive things in life? Or the priceless moments you wouldn’t trade for the world?

The alarm clock sounds off loudly blaring an old country rock and roll song. I quickly hit the off button and look at the screen that now says 6:42 AM. I jump out of bed excited, yet tired, and tip toe into the next room to wake my brother and two cousins. They wake up startled, but quickly smile knowing why they have been awakened. Together we soundlessly race downstairs and gather the things that we need. I grab the radio while the others grab blankets, muffins and juice. After we’re all set, we step outside, shut the door, and then we run.

The four of us run down the beach near the water’s edge and put down our blankets along with our food, and scramble onto the fuzzy blanket. I turn the radio on to a country station and one our favorite country songs of all time comes on. Summertime by Kenny Chesney. As the song begins, so does the suns ascent into the sky. Slowly but steady it rises as we sing. Watching the sunrise is so beautiful and special especially when you get to witness it with the ones you love.

After the sun has risen, we eat our makeshift breakfast and quickly run back to the house before the adults wake up. We make our way back inside, and put everything we took back in place. We all laugh and say good morning, and head back up stairs to go to sleep, even though in our minds, we know that will never happen. As I lay in bed, I suddenly find myself yearning for next summer, when we shall do this tradition once again.

I quickly scroll up and down my Ipod’s playlist looking for a song. There are just so many to choose from it practically takes me five minutes. But since I’m feeling very relaxed and mellow, I decide to listen to some country. I press play, and the music flows through my small white earphones, causing my ears to fill with sweet, sweet sound.

Minutes later I find myself selecting a new song, only to see that my battery is low. I place my Ipod on its portable dock to let it charge. I absolutely love this charger because while it’s charging I am still able to listen to music. Halfway through another song I decide to start my homework. I honestly don’t know how I would be able to do my homework without music. It keeps me so calm and focused even when homework stresses me out, or can be frustrating.

I go at my homework for another hour, and finally finish. I pack up my stuff, and decide to give my Ipod a rest after a long day. I get up to find myself something to eat, but rather find myself thinking about the day I got my Ipod, which was last Christmas. It meant so much to me, since I had wanted a new one forever. I was so happy my parents decided to get me one and I believe I thanked them about 100 times that day.

I value both my Ipod and summer tradition of watching the sunrise in Wells, Maine for both different and similar reasons. Watching the sunrise with my cousins and brother is always great. We have the greatest time laughing and singing. It is also a bonding experience where we talk about the school year, and what we want to do for the rest of the summer. I only get to experience the sunrise once a year, and cherish it deeply. Music connects my two values in a way. That morning when we watch the sunrise, we listen to country music and sing along. I also listen to music while using my Ipod, although on the other hand, I can listen to my Ipod every day, where as I can’t watch the sunrise every morning.

Both my Ipod and watching the sunrise tradition mean a lot to me. My Ipod helps me feel relaxed and calm when I am feeling stressed or frustrated. Watching the sunrise helps me connect and be closer with my cousins before we start off the summer together. Both are emotionally important to me. I value things that make me feel good, which happens to be watching the sunrise and my Ipod.

I believe something is valuable if it is something you love deeply. To know if you love it deeply enough, then you must ask yourself if you could live without it. And I know for a fact that I could manage my life without my Ipod. It would be tough, but I could manage. But I don’t think I could get through life without watching that sunrise every summer with my cousins, because that is my priceless moment that I couldn't live without, and wouldn’t trade for the world.