[Joe]

Dear Gordon Korman,

I have recently read your book Restart in my book club. This book really made me think again about belonging.

Chase Ambrose, the main character of Restart, went through a lot of challenges and struggles, but in the end, came through and reforged his path. After Chase fell off his roof and got amnesia. He forgot everything and started being friends with the kids who the past Chase would have bullied. There were many misunderstandings but Chase pulled through and left his bully-life behind.

Chase's persistent spirit to change his path and get accepted by real friends made me realize that someone could really change his own life and fate. One of the events in Restart that made me feel a strong sense of belonging was when Chase got sent to trial and all of his friends defended him, and even though Chase willingly told everyone the truth; Mr. Solway convinced everyone that Chase was innocent. I bet that if Chase was a real kid, he must have felt like he belonged and that he was truly accepted.

This book really helped me think differently about other people. For example there was a kid who used to be mean to me, but he started changing and started being nice. At that time I didn't think people could change from their past, but after reading your book I realized that people really could change and I started including him in my games and inviting him to sit with us. I beleive that your book really helped a lot of people realize and learn that everyone can change.

I really liked how you made different chapters different character's perspective. For example, I would never had known that Chase used to be a bully if you had not made a chapter about Shoshana's perspective. I think this choice really made the theme of belonging and change stand out because, seeing other peoples perspective and change your perspective about someone.

A question I want to ask you is how you thought of the idea to write a book of change and belonging. What inspired you? What made you think about it? This book helped a lot of people change perspectives and helped a lot more belong. I hope you can write back and tell me. Thank you.

sincerely,

Joe

 

Hi, Joe,

Thanks for your thoughtful analysis of RESTART. You're not alone in liking the book -- it's been on the New York Times Bestseller List for over 5 years! Presently, it sits at #1! I'm particularly pleased that you noticed the fact that the chapters come from different viewpoints of various characters. You're right - it does give the story a fuller, more well-rounded feel. And it's a technique I like to use, to give different people different voices.

Your question: you consider the book about "change and belonging." My description would be more like "second chances." Chase had no reason to hope the people he'd been unkind to in the past would respond to him with such kindness. That fact added to his new perspective. As for why I wrote it, that's easy. I got the idea and wrote the story -- it was that simple, and also that complicated. You have to be a professional writer to really get it! It what we do!

OK? Thanks, Joe.                                                                                        -----Gordon Korman-----