[NATHAN MONSETH]

Hello Mr. Korman!

Our class just finished Restart as a novel study; however, at least a third of the class completed it before today.  They just couldn't wait.  You painted quite a picture of mercy for Chase Ambrose.  Thank you for crafting such a powerful story.  This one has risen to my top 20 all-time favorite fifth grade books.   

Well done!

Mr. M and 5th Graders from the Class of 2029

[Gordon Korman]

Hi, Mr. Monseth,

Thanks for posting to tell me I have a critical success with your class! I'm honored to have made your Top 20, and pleased that the novel was well received by your 5th graders.

                                                    Best regards,                                            -----Gordon Korman-----

[Alyssa Giovannucci]

Dear Mr. Korman,

Our Grade 5/6 class just finished reading Restart and wanted to express our thanks to you for creating such a dynamic and interesting novel. We read your book chapter by chapter each day and were always gripped with suspense and on the edge of our seats. Numerous students in our class even requested to read MORE most days because they were so invested. We were absolutely shocked by the ending and are yearning for a sequel; will you be making one? Many students in our class connected with the themes of perseverance and overcoming obstacles, and were inspired by the evolution of Chase Ambrose. Thanking you for crafting a spectacular book, full of relatable characters, humour and important themes. The lessons and discussions we had about Restart have truly made a positive impact on us! 

 

Mrs. Giovannucci’s Grade 5/6 Class

[Gordon Korman]

Hi, Mrs. G. & Class,

Thank you for your kind words. I'm glad to hear that RESTART's themes of second chances and new beginnings made a good impression on your 5/6 students. I hope you'll all want to go on to many more of my books -- the list hits 100 with the release of THE FORT next summer.

Re: a sequel. I haven't planned one so far, but I would never rule it out. Will the kids accept a definite maybe?

                 Thank you again.                                                -----Gordon Korman-----

[New Britain, CT Native Mom]

Hello Mr. Korman,

My daughter’s 4th grade class in Mobile, AL is currently reading Restart.  Naturally, I have started to read it too.  My daughter was bouncing off her seat as I got to chapter 2 and discovered that Joel was sent to a prep and musical conservancy in New Britain, CT as I am a native daughter said city.  I am curious, how you choose your cities in your books? Do you look at a map and say that sounds like a great place for this sort of school? I do know that Melton is fictional.  

I am so curious—and I wonder if there is a reason you chose the name Melton for the prep school? My daughter and I ended up in gleeful discourse where she chided me for my pronunciation of Melton and for that matter, New Britain.  But as New Britain natives know, we have a distinct accent from other parts of Connecticut, and we drop our “t” and “n” so New Britain is pronounced as New Bri’ih and Melton is pronounced Mel’ih.  As a blue collar town built the foundation of factories like Stanley Works and Fafnir Ball and Bearings, prep schools are hard to find.

We are really enjoying the book so far.  Thank you for letting this New Britain mom and her Mobile daughter bond in an unexpected way!  

[Gordon Korman]

Hi, New Bri'ih Native Mom & Daughter in Mobile (pronounced "Mobile,")

Thanks for posting. I'm pleased to hear that Chapter 2 of RESTART made such an impression on both of you, and that you're enjoying the book too.

I have absolutely no idea why I chose New Britain for Joel. I think I had a vague idea of where the book was taking place, and wanted Joel close to his home even though he was "exiled." (To add to this tale of Connecticut, I had a son at UConn at the time.) I've got Book #100, THE FORT, coming out in the Spring, so I hope you can see that keeping track of details is becoming harder with each release!

                               Thanks again.                                                              -----Gordon Korman-----

 

[Ms. Quinto and LW Period 1]

Good Morning Mr. Korman,

Our students LOVED Restart! We especially liked the scene where Aaron, Bear and Chase were fighting over the medal with the vacuum cleaner. We also liked the part where Brendan was "Leaf Man!" We loved when Shoshanna dumped frozen yogurt on Chase. We enjoyed when Mr. Solway came into the court at the end to defend Chase. We also loved when Brendan got stuck in the tuba during "One Man Band." When he fell off the roof, we were intrigued and it got everything started. Really....we liked the whole book.

We also think that -

- You should write another book in the series that should look at Chase's life BEFORE the fall and goes over what leads up to the fall. It could be called "From The Start" or "Pre-Start"

- You should write another book in the series that should look at Aaron and Bear in high school. This could called "Aftermath" or "Beef"

Sincerely,

Ms. Quinto's Period 1 Class

[Ms. Quinto and Period 1]

Good Morning Mr. Korman,

Our students LOVED Restart! We especially liked the scene where Aaron, Bear and Chase were fighting over the medal with the vacuum cleaner. We also liked the part where Brendan was Leaf Man! We loved when Shoshanna dumped frozen yogurt on Chase. We enjoyed when Mr. Solway came into the court at the end to defend Chase. We also loved when Brendan got stuck in the tuba during One Man Band. When he fell off the roof, we were intrigued and it got everything started. Really....we liked the whole book.

We also think that -

- You could write another book in the series that should look at Chase and his life BEFORE the fall and goes over what leads up to the fall. It could be called From The Start or Pre-Start

- You could write another book in the series that should look at Aaron and Bear in high school. This could called Aftermath or Beef

Sincerely,

Ms. Quinto and her Period 1 Class

[Gordon Korman]

Hi. Mrs. Quinto & Period 1 Class,

Thanks for posting and for the detailed description of the things you enjoyed about RESTART. I can tell that the comedy routines with Brendan made a pretty big hit!  Apparently, Period 1 likes to laugh!

RESTART is a stand-alone book rather than a series, and right now I have no plans to expend the story, either before or after the RESTART time period. But I would never say never, so may I offer you a definite maybe? That's the best I can do at the moment.

Thanks again for your rave review!                                                          -----Gordon Korman-----

[Vivienne M]

Mr. Korman,

Another Restart book would be so awesome. I loved the book! 

Vivienne

[Gordon Korman]

Hi, Vivienne,

Thanks for posting. I'm pleased to hear that RESTART went over so well with you. Right now I have no plans for a sequel, but I would never say never. I offer you a definite maybe!

                                                Best regards,                                                       -----Gordon Korman-----