Restart

This book by Gordon Korman is one of those I recommend all middle schoolers to read.  It’s heartfelt and really is a project in empathy towards others.

Chase Ambrose is about to start his 8th grade year at Hiawassee Middle School.  He’s the big man on campus:  football star, lacrosse phenom, and a total bully.  He and his two best friends have been terrorizing the school for years.  That all changes a few weeks before school when he falls off his roof and gets amnesia.  He has no memory of who he was before the fall and soon finds out that the guy he was isn’t matching up to the guy he is now.  He used to torment the video club geeks but now he’s finding he likes making hilarious YouTube videos.  Now he has to decide if he wants to fall back into his “Alpha Rat” role with his old friends or try something new.

This book is all about fresh starts.  It teaches kids that even though they may make some bad decisions, there is still time to change who you are.  People aren’t perfect, but they can turn over a new leaf if they are motivated enough.  It also showcases harmful bullying culture in a way that’s palatable for middle schoolers.  It shows why bullying is bad and how being a bystander who doesn’t do anything about it is just as bad.  Because the book changes its first person point of view for each chapter, we end up seeing into the mind of the bully and the victim.  This is a fresh perspective because we also get to see his progression from weak to strong alongside Chase’s drastic changes.

Although featuring 8th graders, this book is perfect for upper elementary and middle schoolers alike.  Another great job by Gordon Korman!