I have reread this book 3 times, and each time I find that the stories make a difference in my day. I am beginning to use it as a daily reminder that my actions and kindness waterfall to anyone I encounter, whether it be in person, on the telephone, or even in my e-mails.

I am so very grateful that Margot Silk Forrest realized that our world is in desperate need of kindness. Her book is perfectly written, contains wonderful stories, and I hope she writes Volume 2!!

Get this book...and keep several copies handy to share with others!!! Let's ALL help her change the world!!!!

What the world needs now...is a short course in kindness. I loved this book. The stories made me both laugh and cry in recognition. I felt changed somehow, softer and kinder. But mostly, this short course in kindness reminded me that the heart is indeed a muscle that feels a lot better when stretched.

...I read it cover to cover. I loved it. It's well-crafted and real, and has some new ideas worth considering. It opened my heart and made me feel lighter about life, which was no small task. I got a kick out of the "call to arms" in the last chapter. I'm giving copies to colleagues, friends and family. This one's a gem.

_Earthquake Weather_ is, at first read, a surprisingly calming collection of stories about people at violent points in their lives, choosing non-violent coping methods. I found myself pausing for a few minutes after each story to wonder if I would have been as graceful as Hyde's characters had I been in their situations. After more reflection, however, the book has a definite anger running through it, as if each protagonist is raising hands to the sky to ask "why?," quietly furious that the answer is not waiting there. Characters from all walks of life can be found in this collection, from an unlikely pair of secretive male lovers to a scared little boy and his best friend, the war veteran, to a guarded and needy recent divorcee and the unwilling subject in her revenge plot. This book is utterly involving and not unlike a long train trip, watching people out the window. Here, instead of just wondering, you actually find out what their lives are like.

A beautiful, seamless blend of yesterday's memories and today's realities I was drawn to follow Ella through her dysfunctional childhood to the one place in her life where she makes a conscious decision. She pulls herself together and takes charge in an effort to find Simon, her missing brother, following her instincts and trusting her strengths. Becoming responsible for her destiny instead of constantly being dragged through the dirt by life's past experiences. It reminds me how fragile and random life is and how brave we sometimes have to be to overcome our weaknesses. A deep and powerful read.

I am ashamed to say that I had never heard of Catherine Ryan Hyde until I saw a trailer for the movie Pay It Forward. I picked up a copy of Pay It Forward (because we all know the book is always better than the movie) and in fairly short succession I read Pay It Forward, Electric God and Walter's Purple Heart. Having liked all three of those titles very much, I tracked down a copy of Funerals for Horses and all I can say is... wow.

Ella's search for her brother and her stubborn cling to sanity will move most readers. But this story will definitely touch any reader whose childhood is something that he or she longs to flee and forget. If your childhood was a place of terror and pain, you will read this book as if you are coming home. You will say "Exactly. That is exactly right."

And if you like horses, well, that's just gravy.

This novel is one of those hidden gems of the literary world. Be glad you are on this page and found it. Read it. You won't regret it.

I've never read anything like it. The author created a unique plot balanced between reality and insanity. While searching for her brother, Ella reminices about her childhood. She uses her past to guide her to her brother. Because of her disease, she slips in and out of reality and into here own world of illusions. It's so in depth and exhilerating. I didn't want to put it down. A wonderful job by Catherine Ryan Hyde.

Catherine Ryan Hyde has brought you to the feeling that each author tries to achieve. Her characters have been so fully developed that you can relate in some way to all of them.

The feeling of love that Walter makes you proud to feel, is a real winner. Let yourself become one of the people and then you will become another and finally you will fill all the shoes.

This book will make you feel so wonderful, and will add to your faith in yourself.

This should be at the top of the best seller list.

Woody Allen said, "The heart wants what it wants." Catherine Ryan Hyde says it again - beautifully - in Walter's Purple Heart!

"Pay It Forward" fans, it's time to cheer. Catherine Ryan Hyde's latest-"Walter's Purple Heart"-is another life-affirming, emotionally rewarding read that touches the heart and satisfies the soul.

In her just-the-good-parts, spare, literary style, she spins an un-put-downable tale that pays tribute to the "Greatest Generation"-the heroes and heroines of World War II-without glorifying the violence and pain they endured.

It's a book about the eternal power of love and friendship that should appeal to all generations, but for those of us of AARP age, this book makes a very special gift.

A Review by Kelly

When Trevor got a simple Social Studies assignment to come up with a plan to change the world, he never would of guessed how far 1 favor to 3 people would go if each Paid It Forward. Who would have thought a twelve year-old boy with a dimple idea would really touch so many people and truly change the world.

This book was amazing, and inspiring. It showed so much about the Human Race, and that people do care what goes on in their world. This book is sort of hard to follow, and it's quite lengthy, but once you start reading it, you can't put it down. Everything does come together in the end. I also liked the characters, they were very well thought out, and each was very dynamic.

I would highly recommend this book to people who are looking for an inspirational book with a lot of emotion. This book was an amazing true story that I would read over and over.

Maybe I think too many books are good, but this book has to be up there with my favorites. I started reading it at work, just wondering what it was about because the movie looked so good. I ended up taking it home and reading a majority of it until early last night, fighting with the allergy pills that were trying to make me go to bed. It is such a great book. It warms your heart in such a big way... you finish it hoping that it is a true story. I can't wait to see the movie and see how the Movement is passed throughout the world. This book can definately change your life.

It is about a little boy named Trevor who, for a social science extra credit project, invents a concept called "Paying it Forward." He does good deeds for three people... selfless deeds... and instead of having them pay him back, he tells them to pay it forward-- he makes them return the good deed to three other people. His dream is to make random acts of kindess an every day thing. Although he thinks he fails, he does end up reaching his dream.

So read it! Read it before the movie comes out! Read it because the movie is coming out! Learn the wonders of paying it forward... maybe it isn't just a dream.

This story jumped up and bit me on the nose. It was one of the few books that I've read that has had a moral lesson as well as a great plot( romance , suspense,etc.) It makes you think about your own daily life and how little things can make a huge impact, if not in your life,then in others'. If one small act of kindness can lead to world peace, then what are we waiting for? If everyone who reads this book pays it foward ,then the world will become a better place. The book was well written and easy to follow, by giving each character it's own chapters. The premise of the story was very beleivable and the surprise ending was one you won't soon forget. I needed a box of tissues for the ending of the book and couldn't imagine what a movie of this impact would do to me! The book also had humor injected at opportuned times....I especially like the conversation between Trevor and the President when they first met. It is definetly a "feel good book", and should be recommended reading for every young person out there.....for they are the hope of the future. My eyes are already peeled for those in need so that I can pay it foward myself. Do not miss reading this book!