Monday, May 18, 2020

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday # MMGM Book Review: Restart by Gordon Korman


Chase Ambrose is a star in his town. After all, he’s the best football player that’s lived there since his father was in high school. Everyone knows Chase; some love him and admire his skills, some fear him and hate his guts. He has buddies that would do anything for him. So when Chase wakes up with no memory of who he is or what his life has been like, it’s a shocker. He also can’t play football because of the traumatic brain injury he sustained- at least for now. Chase has to navigate school where everyone is new, and he doesn’t know who they are or what their relationship was like in the past. But he soon finds out after ice cream gets dumped on his head and kids scatter whenever he walks by. Chase is concerned about who he used to be. The friends he's making are not in the same crowd he ran with before. His best friends on the football team still want him to be the same old Chase, but is he? If only he could remember what caused the accident? And what did he do to get in so much trouble that he has hours of community service? All Chase knows is that he has to be who he feels he is now—no matter who's happy about it and who resents it. Will he ever get his memory back? Is the new Chase really “Chase”? You’ll have to read this book to find out.

Restart by Gordon Korman is a book you don’t want to miss. It’s told from multiple characters’ points of view, but predominately Chase’s. When I heard Gordon Korman talk about it at The CT Children’s Book Festival, I knew I had to pick up the book. And I was not disappointed. It was fascinating to follow along with a character who doesn’t remember who they were, and to see what other characters thought about them then and now. It really makes you wonder if people can change and shows how things can shift in the blink of an eye. I would recommend this book to kids in fourth grade and up. It’s realistic fiction and spotlights bullying, friendship, and change. I’ve read a lot of books by Gordon Korman, and I look forward to reading many more!

Has anyone else read Restart? Or have you read a book by Gordon Korman? We’d love to hear your thoughts!

Happy reading!
~L

52 comments:

  1. How fascinating.
    I am intrigued by the many things that define the way that others see us - and indeed how we see ourselves.
    Thanks for the heads up.

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    1. EC- I am intrigued too. A book that made me think. :) ~L

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  2. This sounds like a good read, I will order it. Thanks for sharing, hugs, Valerie

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  3. It would suck, but for someone not in a good place, it would be a chance to start anew.

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    1. Alex- It would be a chance to start anew. The interesting part is until the change, Chase didn't think he'd ever want to change. :) ~L

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  4. I've never read a book by this author. This one sounds fantastic. Thanks for sharing it.

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    1. Natalie- Korman is a great author. So many interesting books. Glad you liked the sound of this one. :) ~L

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  5. Losing one's memories can sure lead to interesting insights. Sounds like a good one.

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  6. I loved this book when I read it. Imagine getting a do-over. I really enjoy all of Gordon Korman's books.

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    1. Randomly Reading- I have enjoyed all of his books too. So happy to hear you loved Restart too! :) ~L

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  7. Reminds me of the movie Memento - but without the life and death situation that's a strong part of the movie. But it really made me think. Interesting thing to introduce to MG.

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    1. Matt- I can see that connection! Chase has to go back and figure out who he was and why he did the things he did. Definitely an interesting thing to introduce to MG. ~Stephanie

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  8. Who can he trust? I'm sure it really makes kids think.

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    1. L. Diane Wolfe- Definitely! Hard to know what to do when you don't know who you can trust- even yourself. :) ~L

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  9. Not a subject that has been covered by too many children's books I wouldn't have thought. This sounds like a truly thought provoking novel. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on it.

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    1. Felicity- Very thought provoking. It stays with you when you are done. :) ~L

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  10. I haven't read this book, but it sounds great! I have read a few books by Gordon Korman—I read Ungifted and the Swindle series, both of which I enjoyed. Thanks for the great review!

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    1. Completely Full Bookshelf- I have had Ungifted on my "to be read" list for a while, but I haven't gotten to it. Thanks for the reminder. Hope you enjoy Restart! :) ~L

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  11. How did I miss this book? It falls into my background in speech path, and sounds like a must read for me. Thank you for putting it on my radar. (Yeah the library has a copy.)

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    1. Brenda- Enjoy! I am glad it connects to your speech path background. That will make it even more interesting for you. Can't wait to hear your thoughts! So great that the library had a copy. :) ~L

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  12. This story sounds unlike any other I've ever read. Thanks for posting your sightful review here for MMGM.

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    1. June- You are welcome! I am glad to introduce you to this great read. :) ~L

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  13. This is a very interesting plot. Definitely one to check out!

    Betty

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  14. Wow, this book sounds like a winner! I held onto every word you wrote. Will be checking this out.

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    1. Patricia- I am so glad you enjoyed the review. Hope you like Restart when you get to it. :) ~L

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  15. I've read almost every Korman book including this one. A favorite of mine for many of the same reasons you stated. It's also a great book for student discussion. Thanks for featuring on MMGM.

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    1. Greg- I am so glad you loved this one too. I have read many of Korman's books. But not all of them yet. I think this book would lead to some interesting discussions for sure! :) ~L

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  16. Yes, this is an interesting book, and very popular with kids I think! Such a cool concept!

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  17. I've read a couple books by Gordon Korman and liked them very much. I will look for this one. You make it sound very compelling. Thanks for your review.

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    1. Rosi- If you have read other books by Korman and enjoyed them- then I think you will love Restart. Happy reading! :) ~L

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  18. Intriguing. I'll keep an eye out for it.

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  19. This sounds interesting. Thanks for putting it on my radar.

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    1. Kimberly- You are welcome! It really is a great read. :) ~L

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  20. I don't know this author … many thanks for the review.

    All the best Jan

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    1. Jan- Korman has lots of wonderful books. Happy to introduce you! :) ~L

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  21. I haven't read this book, but it sounds very interesting. Thanks for telling us about it.

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    1. Janet- You are welcome! I really enjoyed it! :) ~L

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  22. This story sounds interesting!

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  23. Thanks for telling us about this book!

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    1. Love Affair w/Food- You are welcome! :) ~L

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  24. This sounds good. Thanks for letting us know about this one.

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    1. Mary- It really is a book that will make people think. You're welcome. :) ~L

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  25. It is scary to think that one injury can change your life so dramatically like that. Sounds like a compelling book!

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    1. Sherry- Definitely! In this case, Chase learns he was a jerk- but I can see this going a lot of different ways. Thought provoking for sure! :) ~L

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    2. What a fascinating idea for a story. I can't imagine what it would be like to not know who you are. Thanks for telling us about it.

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  26. I haven't read it but it sounds like it would be good.

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