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. ( )

Great book for middle school students and high school freshmen. ( )

Chase's fall from the roof gives him amnesia. He can't remember his mom, dad, friends or social life. Everyone around him walks on egg shells. He doesn't get it until the puzzle pcs come together. Chase was also a football player that was allowed to behave as a bully without repercussions because he was the star. His parents also didn't seem to stop his behavior. This part seems true to life as of now.
It is a book about a bully and ex-new-friends and a kind of luck that can hopefully give him a new beginning minus the old friends. It shows you don't have to be a horrible person to others to feel good about yourself. Treat others with respect and give them the dignity they deserve. ( )