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A review by leahgustafson
Restart by Gordon Korman
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I stumbled upon this middle grade book with a group of my students, and I’m so glad we made the time to read it together. It’s definitely one that I’ll keep in my “catalog” of books to share with kids.
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This book is based on the super interesting idea that we can “start over” and change who we are for the better. It’s about a boy named Chase who falls off his roof, hits his head, and suffers from amnesia. Chase has no recollection of who he was. He is left to rediscover his old self while also rebuilding a “post fall” version of himself.
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This is a really great book to examine to characters, specifically traits and motivations based on thoughts and actions. Chase is simultaneously doing this alongside the reader as he makes inferences about his former self based on bits and pieces he learns from others along the way. This story also lends well to the discussion of friendship and how/why we choose our friends.
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There are alternating narrators which is something you don’t often see in middle grade. This was a great teaching tool and a new/different reading experience for my students. It was a great way to teach perspective and explore the complexities (which I was really impressed with) of the various characters. This is super valuable in that it highlights how we all experience/process the world differently and can have different feelings about the same situation/event.
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The beginning of this book did feel a little slow to me, but it definitely picks up as the story unfolds and we gain deeper insight about who Chase was and his former motivations. I really enjoyed the ending. It shows that actions do have consequences—both positive and negative. It also highlights that we can’t completely outrun our past. There is such great character development throughout this book and a lot of character, life lesson, and theme work to explore with kids. I highly recommend this for the middle grade fans in your life. (PSA Adults can enjoy middle grade too!😉)
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Check out what I'm reading next on Instagram @LeahsLitReview!
•
This book is based on the super interesting idea that we can “start over” and change who we are for the better. It’s about a boy named Chase who falls off his roof, hits his head, and suffers from amnesia. Chase has no recollection of who he was. He is left to rediscover his old self while also rebuilding a “post fall” version of himself.
•
This is a really great book to examine to characters, specifically traits and motivations based on thoughts and actions. Chase is simultaneously doing this alongside the reader as he makes inferences about his former self based on bits and pieces he learns from others along the way. This story also lends well to the discussion of friendship and how/why we choose our friends.
•
There are alternating narrators which is something you don’t often see in middle grade. This was a great teaching tool and a new/different reading experience for my students. It was a great way to teach perspective and explore the complexities (which I was really impressed with) of the various characters. This is super valuable in that it highlights how we all experience/process the world differently and can have different feelings about the same situation/event.
•
The beginning of this book did feel a little slow to me, but it definitely picks up as the story unfolds and we gain deeper insight about who Chase was and his former motivations. I really enjoyed the ending. It shows that actions do have consequences—both positive and negative. It also highlights that we can’t completely outrun our past. There is such great character development throughout this book and a lot of character, life lesson, and theme work to explore with kids. I highly recommend this for the middle grade fans in your life. (PSA Adults can enjoy middle grade too!😉)
•
Check out what I'm reading next on Instagram @LeahsLitReview!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Emotional abuse, and Toxic friendship