For children grappling with big decisions or wishing they could undo mistakes, this story explores choices and consequences and the power of changing yourself.
A parent might reach for this book when their child is struggling with consequences or wishes they could have a 'do-over' for a mistake. Rewind is a fast-paced science fiction novel about 11-year-old Peter, who, after being killed in an accident, is given multiple chances to go back in time and change his fate. The story uses its exciting, video-game-like premise to explore deep emotional themes of personal responsibility, resilience, and family relationships. For ages 10 to 13, it's a compelling choice because it cleverly illustrates that we can't always control external events, but we can control our own actions and attitudes, and that is where true power lies. It’s an excellent conversation starter about maturity and self-confidence.
The protagonist dies repeatedly, but it's treated like a non-graphic, video game 'reset'.
Mild PerilMild
Scenes involve accidents, such as being hit by cars, though they are not graphically described.
Sad ContentMild
The story begins at the protagonist's funeral and explores family arguments and conflict.
Sensitive Topics
The book's central premise is the death of the child protagonist. However, the topic is handled in a secular, science fiction manner that is analogous to a video game 'respawn' or 'reset' mechanic. This largely strips the event of the typical grief and emotional weight, reframing death as a puzzle to be solved rather than a tragedy to be mourned. The resolution is entirely hopeful, emphasizing the power of personal agency.
Ideal Reader
This book is perfect for a middle-grader, ages 10 to 12, who enjoys high-concept plots, 'what if' scenarios, and video games. It will resonate strongly with a child who feels misunderstood by their family, struggles with impulsivity, or frequently wishes for a 'do-over' button in real life. It is particularly well-suited for a reader who is beginning to grapple with the link between their actions and future consequences.
Parent Prep
The opening scene is the main character attending his own funeral, which could be startling. A parent might want to preview the first chapter. However, the book's tone quickly pivots from somber to a problem-solving adventure, so it doesn't require significant emotional preparation and can be read cold. The repeated deaths are plot points, not graphic events. A parent has just heard their child exclaim, 'I wish I could just start the whole day over!' after making a mistake, or 'It’s not my fault!' in response to a conflict. The child may be feeling frustrated with family rules and dynamics, believing external forces are the source of their problems.
Age Experience
A younger reader (10-11) will likely focus on the thrilling, game-like plot of trying to beat death. For them, it’s a clever puzzle. An older reader (12-13) is more equipped to appreciate the central theme: that Peter’s salvation comes not from manipulating the world, but from changing himself. They will connect more deeply with the themes of maturity and the nuances of family relationships.
What Makes It Special
While many books explore choices and consequences, Rewind's 'Groundhog Day' science fiction structure is unique and highly appealing to a modern audience raised on video games. Its core message about maturity is powerful because the solution is not a clever trick or loophole, but a fundamental, earned change in the protagonist's character.
Read plot summary
An 11-year-old boy named Peter finds himself at his own funeral, recalling the accident that killed him. A mysterious entity offers him a chance to 'rewind' to a moment before his death and alter the outcome. His first attempts focus on changing external factors, like sabotaging the car that hit him or trying to quickly impress his parents to prevent an argument. These attempts all fail, and he dies again in different ways. For his final chance, Peter realizes he must change himself. He rewinds several weeks into the past and makes a conscious effort to change his attitude and behavior towards his family. This internal transformation ultimately alters the sequence of events, saving his life and healing his family relationships.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Peter's first attempts to save himself involved changing things outside of himself, like the neighbor's car. Why do you think those attempts failed, while changing his own behavior succeeded?
2
If you had the power to rewind and change one day of your life, which day would you choose and what would you do differently? What do you think the outcome would be?
3
At the end of the book, Peter has a much better relationship with his family. Do you think saving his own life was the most important thing he accomplished, or was it something else?
4
The mysterious voice gives Peter these chances. Do you think the voice was real, or a part of Peter's mind helping him figure things out? Why do you think so?
