{My thoughts} – There have been many books written about bullying and the effects that it has on those that have been bullied. This book is a bit different. It is about a boy named Chase and his two friends Bear and Aaron and how their actions led to a student being transfered out of their school and sent to a boarding school. However, Chase had a fall over the summer and he doesn’t remember anyone or most things. It caused him to have amnesia and it gave him a second chance to change his ways. A chance to be good and to show that people can change.

I really enjoys this books. It is written through the perspective of most of the main characters and it is very much intriguing. The book pulled me into it’s story after the first chapter. I think that many children and adults alike can benefit from reading a book like this and I highly recommend it for that reason. ( )

{My thoughts} – There have been many books written about bullying and the effects that it has on those that have been bullied. This book is a bit different. It is about a boy named Chase and his two friends Bear and Aaron and how their actions led to a student being transfered out of their school and sent to a boarding school. However, Chase had a fall over the summer and he doesn’t remember anyone or most things. It caused him to have amnesia and it gave him a second chance to change his ways. A chance to be good and to show that people can change.

I really enjoys this books. It is written through the perspective of most of the main characters and it is very much intriguing. The book pulled me into it’s story after the first chapter. I think that many children and adults alike can benefit from reading a book like this and I highly recommend it for that reason. ( )

Recommended Ages: Gr. 4-7

Plot Summary: Chase fell off the roof at his house and now he has amnesia. He remembers how to walk, talk, play football, all that stuff, but he doesn't know who his mom is, who his friends are, or even who he is. He's piecing together who he is based on how others act around him. He's legiitmately worried about the person he used to be because he two best friends are bullies, and some people are scared around him. Who is he now? Who does he want to be? Will he ever get his memory back? If he's happy in the video club while he can't play football, is that really so bad? It depends on who you ask.

Setting:

Characters:
Chase Ambrose -
Johnny - Chase's older brother at college, comes back for important things that happen to Chase
Shoshanna Weber - despises Chase, is best friends with her twin Joel, dumps ice cream on Chase's head when she runs into him after Chase's accident
Joel Weber - bullied so badly by Chase and his friends that he went to a boarding school for musicians, hates it
Aaron Hakimian and Bear Bratsky - Chase's best friends, on the football team
Brendan Espinoza - will do anything to get a viral YouTube video, crushing hard on Kimberly Tooley who really likes Chase
Mr. Solway - 86 yo, received a Medal of Honor for the Korean war
Frank - Chase's dad, gruff, focused on rough and tumble manly stuff, sports, thinks Chase is just fine to get back on the football field
Corinne - step-mom, married to Frank
Helene - 4 yo, half-sister, plays with Barbies

Recurring Themes: amnesia, reputation, football, team, friendship, family, community service, popularity, point of view

Controversial Issues: none

Personal Thoughts: I liked that this book was told by many characters. Each chapter switched to a new narrator, switching between most of the kids but most often was Chase. I don't like that many characters are stereotypical characters, such as the tough guys (Frank, Aaron, Bear). I think the concept of not remembering who you are and good vs. evil is an intriguing plot that will interest kids. I actually do know someone who had amnesia in high school so it can happen.

Genre: realistic fiction

Pacing: medium-fast
Characters: fairly well-developed
Frame:
Storyline:

Activity: ( )

Great book to read with kids. Some schools have it on their Battle of the Books - great discussions about choices you make and can you change what type of person you are and how you treat others. ( )