Restart by Gordon Korman Book Analysis Essay Example

Charles Glassman states, “kindness begins with the understanding that we all struggle”. This is one of the major themes in Gordon Korman's novel, “Restart”. In the book, Chase Ambrose is the school's biggest bully. Unfortunately, he had a major accident, which led to complete memory loss, also known as amnesia. Although an accident like this is tragic, it had some extremely positive results. He was offered an opportunity to restart his life and reshape himself as an individual. The accident led him to discover a hidden kindness within himself. Experience shapes us as individuals and helps us to define who we are. I, too, have been affected by my life experiences and share many traits with Chase. Regardless of experience, there is kindness within us all. Sometimes it takes a bit to find, but when found and shared with others, our world becomes a better place.  

Friendship is incredibly important because it helps to influence who we are. I believe that if you surround yourself with good people, it will positively affect your life. Chase had many complex relationships with his peers. He surrounded himself with horrible people. After Chase's gruesome fall, he was drawn to a new group of friends and noticed he felt much better about these people. Some of his old friendships had started to dwindle, which created an uncomfortable awkwardness between the two groups. Chase realized his old group of friends were leading him down a path of destruction. He realized he was a much more positive person after he surrounded himself with good people. I’ve had similar complexities with my own friends. This was particularly evident when my old school, Sparta, closed, and we had to go to a new school called Kettle Creek. Ever since the move happened, my best friend and I have slowly drifted apart. One challenge in our friendship is that we haven't been in the same class since the move. Change is extremely difficult, but it’s a regular part of our lives. Life transitions can be easier when you have good people who will support you!

Changes can be great or awful. Chase transformed his life and wanted to be seen as a kind, caring human being. Before his accident, He once stole a metal of honour and tried to hide it. Chase then found it under a piece of rotting and decaying shingle. After he lost his memory he became a better person and returned it, that is one of the many changes Chase has made. The reason he changed was that he fell off the roof hiding it and next second he was in the ambulance getting rushed off to a hospital, He ended up in a coma for an unknown amount of time. I could never imagine how it would be and what you would feel when you slide off that roof and end up on the floor. I'm also very glad he got out of the coma. Changes can be good or bad, and Chase's life got transformed when he had family to support him. 

Families look way different these days. There isn’t a true family structure like Mom and Dad and maybe some kids. Sometimes children have two parents, and maybe some have one or none. In this novel, Chase’s family has diverged, and his parents don’t get along. His dad tries to push and try to make Chase mean and sporty, while Chase’s mom is trying to let him heal and get better before stepping back on the field. I couldn’t imagine being Chase in the middle of all this family drama, I am very glad my family is together still. The world we live in has a variety of family dynamics. Our parents are our primary educators and have an incredible impact on our lives.