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4.08 AVERAGE
4.08 AVERAGE
Great book! The alternating point of views made for great discussion and the ending was satisfying in its own way. Themes were great for middle school! It could be a little predictable but I think it adds to the realistic value.
This book had a good story and a lot of humor and action. It's written for younger readers, so it's pretty repetitive and the characters can be a little one-dimensional, but overall it was a quick and easy listen.
adventurous
challenging
funny
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
Interesting premise, strong characters who get to show their own perspectives on what's happening, great lessons... This is definitely a book that needs to be shared with middle schoolers. It doesn't push the concept too far, which I guess it's fair as it's aimed at a young age group, but overall it was pretty enjoyable.
Here are some things I liked about it. Because of his amnesia, Chase did have an outsider perspective of his life, his family and his friends. I liked how he struggled to figure out who he was while all these other people tried to define him, and how he wanted to be who they said he was in some cases but not in others. I liked that he wasn't perfect even after trying to better himself, and the people he hurt weren't all that perfect either. To me, it showed more how the characters saw themselves and if they tried to do better after self-examination or stayed the same, and the results of their choices.
It gives a damn good message on bullying, how it affects people, how it can be a growing pattern of behavior and how it can even be encouraged under the wrong circumstances. I don't like to believe this kind of stuff actually happens since the bullies were always shot down when I reported it, but I also know that every school, student and situation is different. Not to mention this book never gave an adult's perspective on the situation. The book also gave out some good messages on respecting others, especially the elderly; on friendship and what it truly means; on how being a victim doesn't have to define you, and other good stuff like that.
The narrative brushes very briefly on how memory affects a personality and attitudes, but I think it's an interesting one to open for discussion. It's a nature versus nurture sort of thing: how much is an inherent part of a person and how much is learned through experience and example? And perhaps most important, can a person change who they are? Chase had some pretty wise thoughts on it and I'd be interested to hear what middle schoolers think.
The ending might be a little much for cynics but it does give a feel-good moment, and I like how Chase and those around him are hopeful of how things will be in the future. Are things going to be perfect? No, but there is definite learning and growing happening.
Here are some things I liked about it. Because of his amnesia, Chase did have an outsider perspective of his life, his family and his friends. I liked how he struggled to figure out who he was while all these other people tried to define him, and how he wanted to be who they said he was in some cases but not in others. I liked that he wasn't perfect even after trying to better himself, and the people he hurt weren't all that perfect either. To me, it showed more how the characters saw themselves and if they tried to do better after self-examination or stayed the same, and the results of their choices.
It gives a damn good message on bullying, how it affects people, how it can be a growing pattern of behavior and how it can even be encouraged under the wrong circumstances. I don't like to believe this kind of stuff actually happens since the bullies were always shot down when I reported it, but I also know that every school, student and situation is different. Not to mention this book never gave an adult's perspective on the situation. The book also gave out some good messages on respecting others, especially the elderly; on friendship and what it truly means; on how being a victim doesn't have to define you, and other good stuff like that.
The narrative brushes very briefly on how memory affects a personality and attitudes, but I think it's an interesting one to open for discussion. It's a nature versus nurture sort of thing: how much is an inherent part of a person and how much is learned through experience and example? And perhaps most important, can a person change who they are? Chase had some pretty wise thoughts on it and I'd be interested to hear what middle schoolers think.
The ending might be a little much for cynics but it does give a feel-good moment, and I like how Chase and those around him are hopeful of how things will be in the future. Are things going to be perfect? No, but there is definite learning and growing happening.
challenging
hopeful
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
enjoyable grade school book. read because kiddo is reading it
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is a great middle grades novel about second chances and finding out who you really want to be. Chase Ambrose is the school bully and when he suffers from amnesia, he sees things with new eyes and does not want to be the person he was before. My only critique is that Chase’s dad is too easily dismissed/forgiven. It’s clear he plays a part in who Chase was but he seems to randomly soften and become a forgivable character. If this were an adult novel I think we’d see some darker truths there. But this is middle grades and I think it reads in an age appropriate way. But it doesn’t feel too juvenile to be appreciated by an adult.