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

Answer to Fairday's Riddle: What's Your View?

Excellent guessing, Riddlers! Next week we're sharing our point of view. Tune in Monday to find out how the answer ties into the story. See you all around the book block. ~ F

Imagine a space in your mind— a living room of some kind. There's a couch and chair, table and plant, a person reading or TV rant. The scene is set; inner eyes have the view. Which is other? Which is you? Energy cast in a direction conjures insight by your attention. All of the pieces wave in flux until you choose your preferred crux. Then you'll know the story plot, but only from that one spot.

What am I referring to? Answer: Perspective/ Point of view

Fairday's Riddles: Volume I 

Make time to riddle and rhyme!
62 original riddles and illustrations

Fairday's Riddle: Eye Spy...

Hello, Riddlers! Can you guess our theme. Interesting to think about all the possibilities. 😉~ F

Imagine a space in your mind— a living room of some kind. There's a couch and chair, table and plant, a person reading or TV rant. The scene is set; inner eyes have the view. Which is other? Which is you? Energy cast in a direction conjures insight by your attention. All of the pieces wave in flux until you choose your preferred crux. Then you'll know the story plot, but only from that one spot.

What am I referring to? Stop by Saturday for the answer.

I gave you a clue!

Margo's Musings: An Astronaut Painting the Moon?

We had a curbside delivery of books at our local library, so we ordered what we wanted ahead. Usually my little sister, Margo, loves running around and looking at the displays, and she picks the books we read. She still gave her thumbs up or thumbs down when we looked at the catalog, but her favorite book from this week's haul was one I requested, The True Story of Alan Bean: The Astronaut Who Painted the Moon. 

Looking up at the night sky is one of my family's favorite activities. It's a special time when we check out the constellations and the Moon. The Moon is amazing, and I think it would be fantastic to be an astronaut. The title grabbed my attention right away.

The True Story of Alan Bean: The Astronaut Who Painted the Moon is written by Dean Robbins and Illustrated by Sean Rubin. It tells the story of Alan as a boy, how he thought things looked, and his dream of becoming a pilot one day. When grew up and became a pilot, he also took painting classes. It was interesting to learn that he painted what he saw and let his imagination take over.  

As an astronaut he couldn't believe what the Moon and Earth were like from space.  He took pictures and even performed experiments on the soil. Once back on his home planet, Alan felt the pictures didn't do the Moon justice; they didn't show the magic. Alan set up Moon models and worked like a scientist to get everything right. Then he started painting what he saw and he let his imagination run wild.  He worked and worked until he felt his painting showed how the Moon made him feel. It was fascinating to learn about the ways he enhanced the textures in his artwork. 

Alan is an inspiration as an artist and an astronaut. The book has biographical information at the end, which I liked, but I think most of that went over Margo's head.

The pictures in the book caught our attention, but Alan's story made us fall in love with the Moon all over again. Margo and I set up easels and painted the Moon. I used a brush to paint, but my sister used her hands. Next week we'll do paintings of Earth.

I would definitely recommend this book to those who like space, painting, and using their imagination. You are sure to be inspired.

Has anyone else read The True Story of Alan Bean: The Astronaut Who Painted the Moon? Or have you read any other books written by Dean Robbins? We'd love to hear your thoughts!

Happy Reading!
~F

Answer to Fairday's Riddle: To The Moon!

Excellent guessing, Riddlers! Next week we'll be gazing at the moon. Tune in Monday to find out how the answer ties into the story. See you all around the book block. ~ F

One is new, no need to stare. Two, a sliver if you care. Three a quarter first at hand. Four pulls water toward the land. Five is full; power at your door. Six is less, but still has more. Seven is third, yet second half. Eight wanes slightly on the path.

What am I referring to? Answer: The Moon! 

Fairday's Riddles: Volume I 

Make time to riddle and rhyme!
62 original riddles and illustrations

Fairday's Riddle: Phase Out

Hello, Riddlers! Can you guess our theme? It has a lot of pull on things. ;) ~ F

One is new, no need to stare. Two, a sliver if you care. Three a quarter first at hand. Four pulls water toward the land. Five is full; power at your door. Six is less, but still has more. Seven is third, yet second half. Eight wanes slightly on the path.

What am I referring to? Stop by Friday for the answer.

I gave you a clue!