[Alicia]

Dear Gordon Korman,

I am a grade 6 student and in our English class, for the unit of learn about belonging, I read your novel Restart in my book club. At first I expected a sad story about a boy who got amnesia. But as I read on Chase's change made me think that everyone has a chance to change and it is never to late to be a better person. Your novel helped me understand that belonging starts with kindness and standing up when something is not right.

I was especially intrigued and moved when Chase stood up for Brendan. I was moved that Chase not only understood who was right and who was wrong, but also the courage it took for him to stand up. I was intrigued when Joey told Chase that he was actually the one who bullied Brendan the most.

I made a connection of the novel to the world around us. Someone might be a bully at first but it just takes a small act of kindness and change, to make everyone feel valued. Fitting in is important but if you fit in with the wrong people you have to change. And maybe the people you thought were "un-cool" are actually the right friends.

A question I have for you is what inspired you to write Restart? Was it your experience of belonging or was it maybe something you observed? I wanted to ask this question because I think it is so interesting how Chase changes and it just grabs the reader's attention. I want to learn to write like this and learn more from your novels. I really enjoyed reading your novel and hope to read more.

Sincerely,

Alicia

Hi,Alicia,

Thanks for posting. I'm pleased to hear that RESTART made such a strong impression on you. I hope you'll want to read many more of my books.

Your question: I'm a professional writer, and decided to make a statement about bullying in general and bullies in particular. The book was a figment of my imagination, nothing more. It was not from experience, nor was it from observation. We authors tell stories, and RESTART was just that -- a story. (I've even written 107 others, and there are more on the way!)

Thanks for your interest in me and my work.                                                  -----Gordon Korman-----