Hidden Gems: Restart by Gordan Korman
Middle grades teachers and students will both enjoy reading Restart by Gordon Korman. This story deals with extreme bullying and theft by students and how it affects both other students and people in the community. However, Restart is a story of redemption and second chances that will grab the interest of fifth and sixth-grade students.
Summary of Restart
Gordon Korman has written so many entertaining books for middle grades students, and his latest book, Restart, doesn’t disappoint. The reader is introduced to Chase Ambrose as he wakes up in the hospital with amnesia after a bad fall. He can’t remember anything but an image of a young girl. When he returns to school, his classmates remember him, but not everyone remembers him fondly. It turns out he was the star quarterback - and the ultimate bully.
Although other people expect Chase to be the same guy he was before his accident, he grows more uncomfortable with who he as before his accident. When he tries to join the AV Club, the other students don’t want him there. At the same time, his football buddies can’t understand why he isn’t the same as before. Chase has to reconcile who he is now with who he was before the accident.
Teaching with Restart
Restart is a great book to use with fifth and sixth graders. The chapters are written from the point of view of different characters, which draws the reader into the story. It is very interesting to see Chase struggle with who he was and realize that he doesn’t want to be that guy anymore.
The story would also be great for teachers who want (or need) to address bullying with their class. This story is unique in that the reader hears not only from the victim, but also the bullies (the football buddies). It is also interesting to see Chase’s reaction to stories of what he did before his accident.
Teachers can cover a lot of standards with this book. Students could compare and contrast how different characters remembered the same event (CCSS.ELA.R.6). Students could also track and discuss the development of the plot. The alternating point of view would be great for discussions, because sometimes different characters talk about the same event (CCSS.ELA.R.5).
Restart has multiple strong characters, which would allow students to compare and contrast how the characters change as they interact. Students could also compare Chase’s personality after his accident to who he was before (CCSS.ELA.R.3).
Students will walk away from Restart with different themes. Some students will latch on to the idea of giving people a second chance, while others may leave with the idea that people can change who they are (CCSS.ELA.R.2). Both teachers and students will find meaning in Restart.