Restart

Chase Ambrose wakes up in the hospital with total amnesia after falling off his roof. Upon returning to school, he discovers he was a notorious bully and star football player - but his memory loss has given him a blank slate. As Chase navigates eighth grade without knowledge of his past, his former friends expect him to resume his role as their ringleader. Meanwhile, his previous victims react with fear and suspicion when he attempts to make different choices. The story follows Chase's efforts to understand who he was while figuring out who he wants to become now. His involvement in the school's video club and interactions with a diverse group of students force him to confront the impact of his previous actions. This middle-grade novel explores themes of identity, redemption, and whether people can truly change. Through Chase's unique situation, the narrative raises questions about personality, memory, and the role of fresh starts in shaping character.

Readers describe Restart as an engaging middle-grade novel that addresses bullying, redemption, and second chances through multiple character perspectives. Readers appreciate: - The realistic portrayal of middle school dynamics - Clear character development and growth - Balanced handling of serious themes with humor - Accessibility for reluctant readers - Valuable lessons about empathy and forgiveness Common criticisms: - Some plot points feel predictable - Secondary characters could use more depth - Memory loss premise requires suspension of disbelief Ratings: Goodreads: 4.2/5 (23,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (2,800+ ratings) Common Sense Media: 4/5 (parent reviews) One reader noted: "Perfect for classroom discussions about perspective and redemption." Another mentioned: "My 11-year-old finished it in two days and immediately wanted to read it again." Several teachers report success using it as a class read-aloud, citing strong student engagement and meaningful discussions about bullying.

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🌟 Gordon Korman wrote his first book, "This Can't Be Happening at Macdonald Hall," when he was just 12 years old as part of a seventh-grade English assignment 🎯 In "Restart," the main character Chase experiences amnesia after falling off a roof - this medical condition affects approximately 7-9 people per 100,000 each year 📚 The book tackles themes of bullying and redemption, which Korman has explored throughout his career spanning over 90 published books 🏆 "Restart" won multiple awards, including the 2019-2020 Young Hoosier Book Award and the 2019 Colorado Children's Book Award 🎬 The story's unique perspective allows readers to experience both sides of bullying - the bully and the victim - through the same character, as Chase discovers his pre-amnesia actions through others' reactions to him