If you've ever wished for a do-over Gordon Korman’s 2017 book Restart is right up your alley!!We meet football star and renowned school bully, Chase Ambrose, after he fell from a two-story window. He has amnesia so bad his personality changes. The rattiest rat changes into a super kind guy! It is quite a transformation! Confusing friends and enemies alike!Each chapter comes from a different viewpoint:Shoshanna Weber: She hates Chase mightily because of what he did to her twin brother, Joel. Chase and his goons (Aaron and Bear) were the cause of Joel having to transfer to a private school because of the trauma he suffered when they blew up Joel’s piano!Brendan Espinoza: Wannabe famous YouTuber who forgives Chase’s past bullying against him from the get go. He takes a risk and asks Chase to help shoot a video while Brendan rides a tricycle through a car wash. Mr. Solway: Feisty nursing home resident who strings a necklace out of all the gout pills he’s refused to take. He was awarded a Medal of Honor from Harry Truman for his service in the Korean War, but mysteriously the medal is missing! He and Chase have a bond.Summary Words:Titus: Connection/relationship and Disguise (a curse, like Chase’s injury, was a blessing in disguise).Jonah: Humble-Chase 2.0 is much more humble and thinks of others.Kate: Redemption-Chase’s old persona had him stuck on himself and unable to grow.Sheila:Transformation-We all can change, that’s how we grow. Chase wasn’t the only one transformed in this book!The principal told Chase that his injury was an opportunity to start over. Chase takes the ball and runs with it and becomes Chase 2.0. Join us as we discuss, Restart, and Kid Approved 5 star read!!! Blessings dear listeners! Let’s connect to reflect!
Chapter 6 of The Next Conversation focuses on the importance of controlling the pace of communication, particularly through the use of pauses, to enhance understanding and engagement in conversations. Kate and Sheila discuss various examples and personal experiences that highlight how effective pauses can lead to more meaningful interactions and better emotional control. The conversation explores the importance of effective communication, the impact of stress on health, and the need to slow down in life to appreciate beauty and foster meaningful connections. It emphasizes the significance of being aware of one's body and emotions, and how numbers can help in recognizing and addressing issues.TakeawaysControl the pace of conversationThe power of pauses Effective communication is essentialSlowing down enhances well-beingChapters00:00 The Importance of Controlling Pace03:03 The Power of Pauses in Communication06:01 Brevity and Impact in Speech08:48 Silence as a Tool for Clarity11:56 Creating Safe Spaces Through Pausing15:09 The Role of Silence in Conflict Resolution18:01 Personal Strategies for Effective Communication20:59 Memory Techniques and Learning24:25 The Importance of Communication27:02 Managing Stress and Health30:39 Controlling the Pace of Life34:33 Planning for Beauty in Life39:29 Embracing Change and Self-Improvement
The Last of the Really Great Wangdoodles by Julie Andrews Edwards is a whimsical and imaginative book that encourages readers to look up and use their senses. It explores the themes of imagination, confidence, and perception, while also highlighting the importance of noticing and play. The book's purpose is to inspire readers to face temptation, use their imagination, and look up instead of down. Thanks to our special guest hosts, Titus and Jonah, for providing their extra insight into today's review.TakeawaysImaginationConfidencePerceptionChapters00:00 Introduction to the Book02:22 Exploring Imagination and Perception07:09 Noticing and Play20:01 The Author's Purpose
“With my mother it was all work. But this is a different type of house. Here there is room, and time to think.” Foster, a novella by Irish author Claire Keegan, slows readers down. We meet the Kinsellas, relatives, who welcome the protagonist into their peaceful home overflowing with warm kindness! She is dropped off, literally, by her disengaged, shiftless Da (aka father), what a contrast her past abode and living situation is to what is now before her.“The water tastes cool and clean…it tastes of my father leaving, of him never having been there.” Kate’s one word summary was belonging. Our forlorn narrator is invited into the rhythm of the Kinsellas household. Belonging encourages our young protagonist to bloom in an amazing way. Sheila’s one word summary was actually two : ) Torn describes the beginning and end of the book when the girl wanted to return with her father, struggling between staying in the better place versus returning to the chaos she called home. In the middle of the book the word opportunity comes to mind.. As we have opportunity, let us do good to one another. Blessings dear listeners! Let’s connect to reflect!
Greetings! We are joined by our special guests to discuss Andrew Clements’ classic from 1998, Frindle. Prankster Nick Allen meets his match in the formidable Mrs. Granger. This timeless novel weaves quite a tale. Mrs. Granger said people determine the meaning of words, so Nick invented the word frindle for pen. The battle begins. Jonah’s one word summary was chess, because Nick makes a move and it is countered by Mrs. Granger. Then Nick ‘moves’ again… Just like a game of chess. Titus’ one word was over-react. He thought everyone over-reacted… from Mrs. Granger to Nick to the news reporter. Kate went with empowering. Words are powerful. A command of language is empowering. Sheila’s word was flourish, because Mrs. Granger tenacity caused Nick to flourish. She was willing to play the bad guy to get traction for Nick’s word. Like Mrs. Baker from The Wednesday Wars, Mrs. Granger changed Nick’s life in more ways than one.Join the fun. Who will win the word war? Here’s a interesting quote:“But of course, all of this is just a silly fad, and when you add an "e" to fad, you get fade. And I predict this fad will fade.” What do you predict? If you haven’t met Nick and Mrs. Granger you’re in for a treat. If you’ve read Frindle you might enjoy, Frindle Files, the sequel written in 2024. Pick up your frindle and write this down, “Let’s connect, to reflect”! Blessings dear listeners!