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Quick answer: If you loved Restart, try Wonder, Ungifted, Masterminds, The Unteachables, Fish in a Tree and Freak the Mighty. Each one combines humor, school drama and a main character who learns to change.
Gordon Korman's novel follows Chase, a former bully who falls off a roof, loses his memory and starts eighth grade with no idea who he used to be. As he befriends the kids he once picked on, he has to face his past. These books share its humor, its focus on second chances and its strong lessons about kindness.
Table of Contents
Quick Picks at a Glance
| Book | Author | Ages | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wonder | R. J. Palacio | 8-12 | kids who like stories about kindness |
| Ungifted | Gordon Korman | 9-12 | kids who want more Korman |
| Masterminds | Gordon Korman | 9-13 | kids who like mysteries |
| The Unteachables | Gordon Korman | 9-13 | kids who like funny classrooms |
| Fish in a Tree | Lynda Mullaly Hunt | 9-12 | kids who like stories about learning differences |
| Freak the Mighty | Rodman Philbrick | 10-13 | kids who like friendship stories |
| Frindle | Andrew Clements | 8-11 | kids who like clever ideas |
| Out of My Mind | Sharon M. Draper | 10-13 | kids who like strong narrators |
| Bystander | James Preller | 10-13 | kids who want a story about bullying |
| Loser | Jerry Spinelli | 9-12 | kids who like misfits |
| The Crossover | Kwame Alexander | 10-13 | kids who like verse novels |
| Because of Mr. Terupt | Rob Buyea | 9-12 | kids who like classroom stories |
| Front Desk | Kelly Yang | 8-12 | kids who like brave heroines |
| Hatchet | Gary Paulsen | 10-13 | kids who like survival |
| Diary of a Wimpy Kid | Jeff Kinney | 8-12 | kids who like comics and humor |
1. Wonder by R. J. Palacio
Auggie, who has a facial difference, starts fifth grade at a new school.
Best for: kids who like stories about kindness.
2. Ungifted by Gordon Korman
A troublemaker is accidentally sent to a school for gifted students.
Best for: kids who want more Korman.
3. Masterminds by Gordon Korman
Kids in a perfect town discover a secret about their lives.
Best for: kids who like mysteries.
4. The Unteachables by Gordon Korman
A class of misfits and a burned-out teacher help each other.
Best for: kids who like funny classrooms.
5. Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt
Ally hides that she cannot read until a new teacher helps her.
Best for: kids who like stories about learning differences.
6. Freak the Mighty by Rodman Philbrick
A big boy and a small genius become an unbeatable team.
Best for: kids who like friendship stories.
7. Frindle by Andrew Clements
A boy invents a new word and starts a school-wide battle.
Best for: kids who like clever ideas.
8. Out of My Mind by Sharon M. Draper
Melody, who has cerebral palsy and cannot speak, finds a way to be heard.
Best for: kids who like strong narrators.
9. Bystander by James Preller
A boy at a new school is drawn into a bully's circle.
Best for: kids who want a story about bullying.
10. Loser by Jerry Spinelli
A joyful boy is called a loser by his classmates.
Best for: kids who like misfits.
11. The Crossover by Kwame Alexander
Twin basketball players face changes in their family.
Best for: kids who like verse novels.
12. Because of Mr. Terupt by Rob Buyea
Seven students tell the story of a year with a special teacher.
Best for: kids who like classroom stories.
13. Front Desk by Kelly Yang
Mia runs the front desk of a motel while her parents clean rooms.
Best for: kids who like brave heroines.
14. Hatchet by Gary Paulsen
Brian survives alone in the wilderness after a plane crash.
Best for: kids who like survival.
15. Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney
Greg Heffley's middle-school life in diary form.
Best for: kids who like comics and humor.
How We Chose These Books
Every pick is a real, widely available book that shares something specific with Restart: its tone, its themes, its pace or the kind of characters it puts at the center. We mixed well-known favorites with a few less obvious titles, and we noted who each book suits best so you can match it to the reader. Where a book belongs to a series, we list the first volume so you can start at the beginning.
How to Choose
For more Korman, choose Ungifted, Masterminds or The Unteachables. If you want stories about kindness and fitting in, try Wonder, Fish in a Tree or Out of My Mind. For bullying from another angle, read Bystander or Loser. Kids who want a laugh can pick Diary of a Wimpy Kid or Frindle. For readers who want a story about family hardship and courage, Front Desk and The Crossover are strong choices, and Because of Mr. Terupt shows a whole class changing over one school year. All of these work well for classroom discussion, since they raise questions about how we treat each other and whether people can really change.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What age is Restart for?
It is usually recommended for ages 9 to 13.
Is Restart about bullying?
Yes. It explores bullying, memory and second chances.
Is Restart funny?
Yes. It is full of humor, though it also has serious moments.
Is Restart good for a class read?
Yes. Teachers often use it because it sparks discussion about bullying, empathy and responsibility.
Who narrates Restart?
Chase narrates much of the story, but other characters, including kids he once bullied, tell chapters too, which shows events from several sides.