This book is about a little boy, Trevor McKinney, who, at the offer of an assignment for his social studies class, aspired to change the world. The extra credit assignment was simple; think of an idea to change the world, and put it into action. He came up with an idea that he hoped would revolutionize the world, but Rome wasn't built overnight.

The book centers around his idea, the people in his life, including his Social Studies teacher and friend, Reuben St. Clair, and his mother, Arlene. Several other characters are introduced to outline just how his plan went into action.

A study of leadership. I guess. This is a book for aspiring, alturistic leaders who really do want to change the world. It truly can give one the nudge they need to start their own, if small, revolution.

I did have visions in my mind based on the movie. Hey, what can I say, I saw the movie first; didn't even know there was a book until August 8th. This book really interfered with those images, which made it hard to read at points for me, but I lived. I can't really blame anyone for that.

I also was a little miffed to not discover where one of the characters ended up in the movie, and I was even more disappointed to not know his path in the book either. Jerry! Where in the world did you go? What happened after Charlotte? Let me know!

During the last few chapters, I found tears welling up in my eyes, but, the last few pages didn't make me cry. After I finished that last page, I felt like the book came to a good closing point, and I just wanted, and needed, to put my thoughts in order.

It was a mix of happiness and saddness. Happiness because of most of the outcome, and saddness becuase of the other part of that outcome. I was happy to feel a sense of utopia, but sad to realize nothing like that had happened, and probably won't.

Is good. I felt the dialog she used in places was something I'd only hear on a Soap Opera, much less real life, which really destroyed some true-to-life aspects. But, I did like the way she wrote it in the sense of format, and style. Her character development was awesome, and she really could place a reader in the mind of the characters.

It's a good, quick read that will leave you with mixed feelings about Trevor's world and our own. It makes you wish for differences in your world, and makes you feel like you can make those changes.

It can get a little too Utopian. Being the cynical mind that I am in ways, that was hard to swallow. But, I think it can really check the cynacism in us all.

The book and the movie are two different creatures...but they still share the basic story that is truly inspiring.

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Created Aug 12, 2003 at 12:19am • Submit your own review...