Fall and Forgetting

Chase Ambrose, once the star athlete and notorious troublemaker of Hiawassee Middle School, wakes up in a hospital bed with no memory of his life, family, or even his own name. The accident—a fall from his roof—has left him with acute retrograde amnesia. As he struggles to recognize his mother, brother, and father, Chase is confronted with the unsettling reality that his past is a complete blank. The only image that lingers is that of a little girl in a blue dress, a memory he cannot place. This blank slate is both terrifying and oddly liberating, as Chase is forced to navigate a world where everyone knows him, but he knows no one—not even himself.

Stranger in My Life

As Chase is discharged from the hospital, he returns to a home filled with trophies, newspaper clippings, and reminders of a life he cannot recall. His family dynamics are tense: his mother is protective, his father is brash and competitive, and his half-sister is wary of him. The house is filled with the echoes of his former self—a celebrated athlete and a dominant presence. Yet, Chase feels like an imposter, parachuted into someone else's life. The disconnect between who he was and who he is now becomes painfully clear, especially as he realizes that even his own reflection is that of a stranger.

Shadows of the Past

Returning to Hiawassee Middle School, Chase is greeted as a hero by some and with fear or hostility by others. His best friends, Aaron and Bear, are rough, loyal, and clearly expect the old Chase to return. But as he navigates the halls, Chase senses an undercurrent of unease—students avoid him, conversations stop when he enters, and some are outright afraid. He learns that he, Aaron, and Bear were sentenced to community service for a destructive prank, and that his reputation as a bully is well-known. The realization that he was not just popular, but feared, begins to haunt him.

The School's Star Outcast

Despite his athletic achievements, Chase finds himself an outsider. The football team wants their captain back, but he cannot play due to his injuries. The rest of the school is wary, and his attempts to reconnect are met with suspicion or outright hostility. He is caught between two worlds: the jocks who expect him to be their leader, and the rest of the students who remember him as a tormentor. The only memory that persists is the mysterious girl in blue, a symbol of the life he cannot access.

Enemies and Exiles

Shoshanna Weber, whose twin brother Joel was bullied out of town by Chase and his friends, narrates the pain and anger her family feels. Joel, a talented pianist, was targeted so relentlessly that his parents sent him to a boarding school for his own safety. The Webers' story reveals the depth of Chase's past cruelty and the lasting scars it left. Shoshanna's hatred for Chase is visceral, and her actions—like dumping yogurt on his head—are fueled by a desire for justice and retribution.

New Beginnings, Old Wounds

Encouraged by the principal, Dr. Fitzwallace, Chase is told he has a rare opportunity: to rebuild himself from the ground up. But the process is fraught with challenges. He is haunted by the knowledge that everyone around him has a version of who he was, and he must piece together his identity from their conflicting stories. His mother's attempts to shield him from the worst of his past only add to his confusion, as he struggles to determine who he should believe—and who he wants to become.

The Video Club Invitation

Brendan Espinoza, a quirky and creative member of the school's video club, invites Chase to help film a YouTube stunt. Despite his initial hesitation, Chase finds himself enjoying the camaraderie and creativity of the club. The experience is a stark contrast to his old life, and for the first time, he feels a sense of belonging that is not tied to sports or intimidation. The video club, though wary, begins to accept him, and Chase discovers a new passion for storytelling and filmmaking.

Unlikely Friendships

As Chase becomes more involved with the video club, he forms tentative friendships with students he once bullied. Brendan, Hugo, and even Shoshanna (reluctantly) begin to see a different side of him. Chase's genuine efforts to help and his unfamiliarity with his own past make it difficult for them to reconcile the old Chase with the new. The process is slow and fraught with setbacks, but the seeds of trust are planted.

The Weight of Reputation

Memories begin to return in fragments, and Chase is forced to confront the reality of who he was. He learns of specific incidents—like the bullying of Joel Weber and the destruction of a piano with cherry bombs—that paint a damning picture. The guilt is overwhelming, and Chase struggles with the fear that the old Chase is still inside him. His relationships with Aaron and Bear become strained as he distances himself from their toxic influence.

Community Service and Consequences

At the Portland Street Assisted Living Residence, Chase's community service introduces him to Mr. Solway, a gruff but fascinating Medal of Honor recipient. Through their interactions, Chase learns about courage, regret, and the complexity of memory. The work is humbling, and Chase finds meaning in helping others—something the old Chase never valued. His growing bond with Mr. Solway becomes a turning point in his journey toward redemption.

The Medal's Disappearance

When Mr. Solway's Medal of Honor goes missing, suspicion falls on the usual suspects. Chase is tormented by the possibility that he, Aaron, or Bear might be responsible. As he investigates, he is forced to confront the darkest parts of his past and the reality that trust, once broken, is hard to rebuild. The missing medal becomes a symbol of lost honor and the struggle to make amends.

Truths and Transformations

The discovery of the medal's hiding place triggers a flood of memories, including the realization that Chase himself stole it before his accident. The shock is profound—he must accept that the capacity for wrongdoing is still within him. Yet, his determination to return the medal and face the consequences marks a decisive break from his former self. The act of confession, rather than concealment, becomes his path to transformation.

Betrayal in the Band Room

Aaron and Bear, feeling abandoned by Chase, orchestrate a scheme to frame him for another act of violence—this time in the school's band room. The incident results in Joel being injured and Chase being accused of reverting to his old ways. The video club, feeling betrayed, expels him, and Chase is left isolated once more. The cost of loyalty—to the wrong people—becomes painfully clear.

The Cost of Loyalty

As the truth about the band room incident emerges, Chase is forced to choose between protecting his old friends and standing up for what is right. His decision to cover for Aaron and Bear, rather than expose them, leads to his own downfall. The experience is a crucible, burning away the last remnants of the old Chase and forging a new sense of integrity and self-awareness.

Facing the Past

Determined to make amends, Chase returns the stolen medal to Mr. Solway, even though it means facing legal consequences. His confession is met with a mixture of anger, disappointment, and, ultimately, understanding. The act of taking responsibility for his actions, rather than hiding from them, marks the true beginning of his redemption.

Redemption and Reckoning

At his juvenile court hearing, Chase is confronted by the full weight of his past and the skepticism of those he has hurt. Yet, the support of his family, the video club, and even the Webers—who testify to his genuine transformation—sways the judge. Mr. Solway's intervention, claiming he lent the medal to Chase, provides a lifeline, but it is Chase's own honesty and refusal to guarantee he will never make another mistake that ultimately defines his character.

The Power of Forgiveness

The aftermath of the trial sees Chase slowly rebuilding trust with those he hurt. Shoshanna and Joel, once his fiercest critics, begin to accept his efforts at change. The video club welcomes him back, and even the football team acknowledges his growth. The process of forgiveness is ongoing, but the possibility of a new beginning is real.

Restarting the Future

With his past acknowledged and his future uncertain but open, Chase embraces the chance to live as a better person. His relationships—with friends, family, and himself—are transformed by honesty, accountability, and the courage to change. The story ends not with a return to the old Chase, but with the birth of someone new: a young man who understands the value of empathy, the cost of mistakes, and the power of starting over.

Characters

Chase Ambrose

Chase is the protagonist whose life is upended by amnesia after a fall. Once the school's star athlete and feared bully, he awakens with no memory of his past, forcing him to confront the person he was through the eyes of others. Psychologically, Chase is a study in identity and transformation—his journey is marked by guilt, confusion, and a desperate desire to make amends. His relationships are complex: he is both loved and feared by his family, resented by his victims, and idolized by his old friends. As memories return, Chase's struggle is not just to remember, but to choose who he wants to be, ultimately embracing honesty and empathy over popularity and power.

Shoshanna Weber

Shoshanna is Joel's twin sister and one of Chase's most vocal critics. Her hatred for Chase is rooted in the pain he caused her family, particularly the bullying that drove Joel away. She is intelligent, passionate, and unafraid to stand up for what she believes is right. Over time, Shoshanna's perspective shifts as she witnesses Chase's genuine efforts to change, leading to a reluctant but powerful forgiveness. Her journey mirrors the book's central theme: the difficulty and necessity of letting go of anger to allow for healing.

Joel Weber

Joel is a talented pianist whose life was derailed by relentless bullying. Sent to boarding school for his own safety, he returns home wary and traumatized. Joel's psychological arc is one of reclaiming his sense of self and refusing to be defined by his victimhood. His eventual willingness to see Chase's transformation—and to participate in the process of forgiveness—signals his own growth and resilience.

Aaron Hakimian

Aaron is one of Chase's closest friends before the accident, embodying the worst aspects of their shared past. He is aggressive, manipulative, and resistant to change, clinging to the old dynamics of power and exclusion. Aaron's inability to accept Chase's transformation highlights the dangers of loyalty when it is rooted in wrongdoing. His relationship with Chase deteriorates as the latter seeks a new path.

Bear Bratsky

Bear is Aaron's partner in mischief and another of Chase's former best friends. He is physically imposing and quick to use intimidation to get his way. Bear's actions are often driven by a need for acceptance and a fear of losing his place in the social hierarchy. His refusal to change, even as Chase does, leaves him increasingly isolated.

Brendan Espinoza

Brendan is a member of the video club and one of Chase's former victims. Quirky, imaginative, and resilient, Brendan is initially wary of Chase but becomes one of his first new friends. His willingness to give Chase a second chance is instrumental in the latter's redemption. Brendan's journey is one of moving from fear to trust, and from isolation to community.

Mr. Julius Solway

Mr. Solway is a resident at the assisted living facility and a Medal of Honor recipient. Gruff and reclusive, he forms an unlikely bond with Chase, serving as both a mentor and a mirror for the young man's struggles with memory and regret. Mr. Solway's own ambivalence about his past and his medal parallels Chase's journey, and his act of forgiveness at the trial is pivotal.

Kimberly Tooley

Kimberly is a classmate who develops a crush on Chase and joins the video club. She is earnest, supportive, and often caught between different social groups. Kimberly's perspective offers a lens on the changing dynamics of the school and the possibility of new beginnings.

Dr. Fitzwallace

Dr. Fitzwallace is the school principal who encourages Chase to see his amnesia as an opportunity for reinvention. He is fair, insightful, and committed to helping students grow, even when it means challenging them to confront uncomfortable truths.

Mrs. Ambrose (Chase's Mother)

Mrs. Ambrose is deeply affected by Chase's accident and struggles to reconcile her love for her son with the reality of his past actions. She is supportive but sometimes overprotective, and her attempts to shield Chase from the truth ultimately force him to seek his own answers.

Plot Devices

Amnesia as a Catalyst for Change

The central plot device is Chase's amnesia, which wipes his memory clean and allows for a genuine exploration of nature versus nurture. The device is used not just for suspense, but as a means to ask whether a person can truly change if given a second chance. It also creates dramatic irony, as the reader and other characters know more about Chase's past than he does, heightening tension and empathy.

Multiple Perspectives

The narrative alternates between different characters' points of view, providing a multifaceted understanding of events and relationships. This structure allows the reader to see the impact of Chase's actions from various angles, deepening the psychological realism and emotional stakes.

Symbolism of the Medal of Honor

Mr. Solway's missing medal becomes a powerful symbol of both the damage caused by Chase's past and the possibility of making amends. Its disappearance and eventual recovery mirror Chase's own journey from disgrace to redemption.

Foreshadowing and Flashbacks

The gradual return of Chase's memories, often triggered by sensory details or emotional experiences, serves as both foreshadowing and a mechanism for character development. Flashbacks are used to reveal key moments of cruelty, regret, and transformation.

The Power of Community

The climactic courtroom scene, where the community must decide whether to forgive Chase, underscores the importance of collective action and the possibility of change. The support—or lack thereof—of peers, teachers, and family becomes a measure of Chase's progress and the story's moral center.

Analysis

Restart is a compelling exploration of identity, redemption, and the possibility of change. Gordon Korman uses the device of amnesia not as a gimmick, but as a profound question: Are we defined by our past, or by the choices we make in the present? The novel challenges readers to consider the weight of reputation, the difficulty of forgiveness, and the courage required to break free from toxic cycles. Through Chase's journey, the story illustrates that true transformation is neither easy nor guaranteed—it requires honesty, accountability, and the willingness to face uncomfortable truths. The book's modern relevance lies in its nuanced portrayal of bullying, the long-term effects of trauma, and the power of empathy to heal even the deepest wounds. Ultimately, Restart is a hopeful reminder that while we cannot undo the past, we can choose who we become—and that sometimes, the hardest person to forgive is ourselves.

Last updated: May 18, 2025