Characters
This is the main character who wakes up with amnesia after falling off his roof.
Who is Chase Ambrose?
After his accident, Chase does not remember being this type of person.
What is a bully?
“You should be in prison, not on the football field.” This is said by…
Who is Shoshanna Weber?
What question about human nature does Chase’s journey raise?
Are people permanently defined by their past, or can they reinvent themselves through new choices?
The name of the school Chase attends.
What is Hiawassee Middle School?
This character is Shoshanna’s twin brother, who was a victim of Chase’s bullying before the accident.
Who is Joel Weber?
What role does Joel’s absence from school play in shaping Shoshanna’s initial treatment of Chase?
She sees Chase as responsible for driving her brother away, so she takes on his anger in his absence.
You’re the lucky one, Chase.” This is said by Chase’s mom. What does she mean?
That he has a chance to start fresh with no memory of his old self.
The story asks: “Can people truly change?” This is an example of a…
What is a central theme or essential question?
Why is football such an important part of Chase’s identity conflict?
Because it ties him to his old self and his father’s expectations, while video club represents a new self.
In what ways does Chase’s mother react differently to his amnesia than his father does?
His mom sees it as a chance for him to change, while his dad only wants him back on the football field.
What punishment do Chase, Aaron, and Bear receive for their past misbehavior at school?
Community service at the nursing home.
“Every story has two sides. Don’t forget that.” — How does this quote foreshadow Chase’s struggles in the novel?
It suggests Chase must face both his old and new identities, and others must decide whether to see his change or cling to his past.
For example, Aaron and Bear treat him like the old Chase and pressure him into mischief, showing they valued his bullying power, not him as a person.
What does Chase’s struggle between football and the video club symbolize about conformity versus individuality?
It shows the tension between doing what’s expected (football) and discovering new passions (video club).
Why is the video club such an unusual or ironic place for Chase to end up after the accident?
Because it’s the group he used to mock, and joining it forces him to confront his old behavior.
Why might Mr. Solway’s relationship with Chase be an important turning point in how Chase views himself?
Mr. Solway respects Chase for his kindness at the nursing home, unlike others who only see him as a bully, helping Chase believe he can change.
Why does Brendan continue to include Chase in the video club despite the group’s objections?
He sees Chase’s genuine interest and potential, highlighting Brendan’s fairness and open-mindedness.
“We don’t want you here.” said to Chase in the video club — how does this moment test his commitment to change?
He has to decide whether to walk away (like old Chase) or persist and prove himself through actions.
How do Chase’s interactions with the elderly residents reveal the theme of redemption?
They accept him for who he is in the present, giving him space to prove himself rather than judge him on the past.
How does Joel’s refusal to forgive Chase show the limits of change?
It shows that even if someone changes, not everyone is ready or able to move past the harm they caused.
How do Aaron and Bear’s attitudes toward Chase after the accident reveal their true motivations in being his friends?
They treat him like the old Chase and pressure him into mischief, showing they valued his bullying power, not him as a person.
How does Chase’s time at the senior citizens’ home challenge his old identity?
He discovers kindness, patience, and responsibility — things opposite of his old bullying behavior — forcing him to redefine himself.
Chase repeatedly asks “Who am I?” early in the novel. Beyond amnesia, what deeper meaning could this question carry?
It reflects the how everyone in like is in search for their own identity and whether people are defined by their past or their choices now.
How do Chase’s interactions with the elderly residents reveal the theme of redemption?
They accept him for who he is in the present, giving him space to prove himself rather than judge him on the past.
How does the football team’s reaction to Chase after the accident show the conflict between reputation and reality?
They celebrate him as a hero without recognizing the harm he caused in the past, showing how image outweighs truth