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Restart book cover

Restart

by Gordon Korman

★★★★★

Great fit for 5th grade

Reading level and content both target 4th–8th grade · ages 9–14

5th grade English Amnesia
9
AR Points
6.0h
Read time
AR Quiz Available

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Learn more about Accelerated Reading →
Junior Library Guild Selection

Genre

Realistic Fiction

Themes

  • identity
  • second chances
  • redemption
  • bullying
  • friendship
  • empathy
  • peer pressure
  • choices and consequences

About this book

After a bad fall, eighth-grader Chase Ambrose wakes up with amnesia—and discovers that the person he used to be might not be someone he likes. Back at school, he pieces together his past through the reactions of classmates who remember him very differently. As Chase gets a fresh start, he has to decide what kind of friend, teammate, and person he wants to become. Fast-paced and funny with multiple points of view, it’s a great pick for tweens who enjoy school stories about second chances and doing the right thing.

Setting: contemporary suburban town and middle school

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Restart right for my child?

Yes — Restart is a great fit for 5th grade. The reading level is AR 5.1, which is typical for 5th grade. The interest level is rated Middle Grades (4–8), meaning the themes and content are designed for ages 9–14 (4th–8th grade). Themes include identity, second chances, redemption.

How long does it take to read Restart?

At a typical 5th grade reading pace, Restart takes around 6.0h to finish. The book has 59,000 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.

Does Restart have an AR quiz?

Yes — Restart has an AR quiz available, worth 9 points. Your child will need to take and pass the quiz through their school's Accelerated Reader program to earn credit. The quiz is typically 5–20 multiple choice questions about plot, characters, and setting.

What grade level is Restart?

Restart has an AR reading level of 5.1, which places it at a 5th grade reading difficulty. The interest level is rated Middle Grades (4–8) — this reflects the age-appropriateness of the content and themes, not just the reading difficulty. A strong younger reader may handle the words fine while the themes are aimed at an older audience, or vice versa.