[Luke Bars]

Dear Mr. Gordon Korman

 

I am a grade 6 student and have recently read the book, RESTART in my book club. Chase's experience when entering Hiawatee High must have felt really lost and confused especially not knowing where he belongs, for example he didn't even recognize his parents or his previous cruel friends Aaron and Bear. When Chase started to earn his memory back and realized how cruel and mean he was made me think how shocking and painful he must have felt. After reading the entire book it made me realize how when growing up anyone can make a change in themselves step by step.

 

I was especially shocked by how Chase eventually found out that he had stolen Mr. Soloway's medal of honor, and how ashameful and worried he must have felt. His astonishing and honest decision when he willingly revealed how he was guilty of stealing the medal amazed and inspired me to be more honest about my mistakes. It was truly shocking when everyone showed up, even the Weber family to help and support Chase in court after being mistaken for property damage when he was actually trying to protect his friends, thanks to Brendan everyone found out the truth.

 

The moment when chase was sent to the principle's office I felt a massive connection of when I once got into trouble with someone and when he lied that he was trying to hurt Joel, I can connect when once I lied to my friends I started to feel empty and broken minute by minute.

 

I loved how you described mostly Chase's setting and how it impacted the story and fitted into the way I felt, for example at night when Chase was training football on the field at night with the floodlights shining and trying to avoid Aaron and Bear after a bad day sets the feeling of sadness and emptiness. I also wondered why you decided to write a book about memory and trust?

 

Thank you for writing a book that teaches people how to be a better person and how to make a change in your self, and describing how the process of earning someone's trust back looks and feels like. I hope to teach this lesson to my students when I grow older.

 

 

 

Best wishes,

Luke

Hi, Luke,

Sorry to keep you waiting. I read your letter a couple of days ago, and had no time to reply at the moment, and almost -- but not quite! -- forgot!

Thanks for your detailed letter. I really apreciate the effort you put into describing your reaction to RESTART. Yes, the book is about memory and trust. But the main theme still has to be second chances. Chase did a rotten thing; indeed, he was a pretty bad person. But he learned something about himself when he lost his memory and had to start being Chase Ambrose all over again. And the people around him were good enough to respond kindly.

Glad you enjoyed RESTART. You might like to know it's been on the New York Times Bestseller List for over FIVE YEARS, currently at #1! Yay!

                                                        Kindest regards,                                            -----Gordon Korman-----