Author encourages Huntley to 'pay it forward'

In an effort to promote reading and foster community spirit, Huntley on Thursday hosted Catherine Ryan Hyde, the author of "Pay it Forward."

The Huntley Area Public Library District and Huntley Unit District 158 chose Hyde's novel, later adapted into a 2000 movie, for the new One Book, One Community program.

The goal of the program, which mirrors similar efforts across the country, is to get residents to read the same book, discuss its themes and enact its message.

"It really is a way to foster communication between people," said Leigh Ann Porsch, spokeswoman for the Huntley library. "Everyone reads the same book and gets together to discuss it."

"Pay it Forward" is the story of a teacher who gives his class an assignment: change the world.

One student, Trevor McKinney, does just that, encouraging people to "pay it forward," that is, instead of repaying a favor - do a good deed for someone else.

Hyde was in Huntley this week to discuss her book and its message. She visited students at Huntley High School Thursday and spoke to local residents Wednesday at a dinner at Pinecrest Golf and Country Club.

Thursday afternoon, she met with a group of 10 aspiring writers at the high school about her books, her career and how to break into the writing business.

Hyde had some advice for high school English teachers. Assigning dense, difficult classics "is really at cross purposes with getting kids to love to read," she said. "I don't think reading has to turn into homework."

Students asked Hyde how she feels about the impact "Pay it Forward" has had on American culture.

"Every now and then, it hits you all over again," Hyde said. "Wait a minute. Didn't that used to just be on the inside of my head?"

Students who attended the workshop - all 10 of them girls - said Hyde's personal stories of persistence in the face of rejection encouraged them to continue writing.

"When you actually see someone, you say 'wow, I can actually do that,'" said Julia Cristo, a senior from Lake in the Hills. "After this, I'm going to start writing again."

The high school encouraged all students to read "Pay it Forward." English classes discussed the book in class and during Hyde's visit Thursday morning.

"The goal is really to get as many people to read as possible," said Samantha Conover, a high school social studies teacher who helped lead the One Book, One Community initiative.

Earlier this week, Hyde, who is based in California, visited Addison, which has started a similar program to promote reading and literacy.

Organizers of the One Book, One Community program said while they hope to build on the popularity of their first effort, they hadn't yet decided whether to make the program an annual initiative.