[Nolan Apel]

28th/Oct/26 Dear Mr. Gordon Korman, I hope you are doing well, I am a 6th grader student and I recently finished reading the book Restart in my book club. When Chase struggled to get back to his feet after the incident over the summer. It got me thinking how difficult it is to go go back to your community as like you stepped into someone else\\\'s shoes when you enter amnesia. Your book made me understand even when someone is not being fair or mean you always be nice back, like a full cycle of kindness. When Chase asked to sit next to Brendon at lunch, this small act made Brendon and everyone else view Chase and started to trust Chase and soon they became best friends. When Bear and Aaron started to bully other people and force other to do stuff for them. Chase started to suspect that he might have been a bully before but because of amnesia, he forgot everything and when found Mr. Soloways medal in his Chases drawers he admit to Mr. Soloway that he stole the medal of Honor, you can notice that he is doing everything to cover up the past bullying and trauma he did to people. These moments of kindness can make somebodies day way better and make feel cared and included. I connected with Chase when I came to school one day when my teeth got knocked out, I was laughed by others but I was still nice to them this made them notice that being nice can make you and others feel great. When I finished Restart I wondered what inspired you to right this book about a kid who got diagnosed with amnesia, I also wondered how you got inspired to keep writing and not give up. Thank you for writing Restart it changed how I view people\\\'s perspecitve and also how people go through the process of amnesia. I wish you well. Kind regards, Nolan Apel

Hi, Nolan,

Thanks for posting. I'm pleased to see that RESTART made such a strong impression on you.

Why did I write it? I wanted to make a statement on bullying, which can be a big problem in schools. But I also wanted to show that people can change. The theme of RESTART is "second chances." When Chase had amnesia, it gave him a chance to start over. He didn't remember being a bully who was mean to others. He wanted to be liked, to get along with people. Learning about the kind of person he used to be really shocked and embarassed him. And the new friends -- including old Mr. Solway --gave him the second chance that he wanted so badly.

What inspired me to continue writing and not give up? 108 books, and almost 50 years in the writing business. I write professionally, and pros never give up!

                                   Thanks again, Nolan.                                                         -----Gordon Korman-----