Growing Up & Facts of Life
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Operation Do-Over
From the New York Times bestselling author of The Unteachables, Gordon Korman, comes a hilarious new high-concept friendship story in the vein of Back to the Future. Perfect for fans of Korman's Restart.
Mason and Ty were once the very best of friends, like two nerdy sides of the same coin . . . until seventh grade, when Ava Petrakis came along. Now Mason can trace everything bad in his life to that terrible fight they had over the new girl. The one thing he'd give anything for is a do-over. But that can't happen in real life-can it?
As a science kid, Mason knows do-overs are impossible, so he can't believe it when he wakes up from a freak accident and finds himself magically transported back to seventh grade. His parents aren't yet divorced and his beloved sheepdog is still alive. Best of all, he and Ty haven't had their falling-out yet.
It makes no logical sense, but Mason is determined to use this second chance to not only save his friendship (and his dog!) but do other things differently-like trying out for the football team and giving new friends a chance. There's just one person he'll be avoiding at all costs: Ava. But despite his best efforts, will he be able to stop the chain of events that made his previous life implode?
Mason and Ty were once the very best of friends, like two nerdy sides of the same coin . . . until seventh grade, when Ava Petrakis came along. Now Mason can trace everything bad in his life to that terrible fight they had over the new girl. The one thing he'd give anything for is a do-over. But that can't happen in real life-can it?
As a science kid, Mason knows do-overs are impossible, so he can't believe it when he wakes up from a freak accident and finds himself magically transported back to seventh grade. His parents aren't yet divorced and his beloved sheepdog is still alive. Best of all, he and Ty haven't had their falling-out yet.
It makes no logical sense, but Mason is determined to use this second chance to not only save his friendship (and his dog!) but do other things differently-like trying out for the football team and giving new friends a chance. There's just one person he'll be avoiding at all costs: Ava. But despite his best efforts, will he be able to stop the chain of events that made his previous life implode?
Editorial Reviews
"Korman brings smart plotting to an absorbing time travel narrative that examines the long-term impact of actions….Given [the] opportunity for a do-over, [Mason] seeks to right wrongs as well as try new things, leading to a climax in which both he and readers see what, if anything, has changed. Full of warmth and middle-grade humor." - Publishers Weekly
"Watching Mason learn from mistakes and explore new aspects of himself (especially with a 17-year-old consciousness trapped in a preteen body) is vicariously satisfying, and the sheer fascination of his predicament will keep readers turning pages, anxious to find out if he succeeds." - Kirkus Reviews
"Korman's signature blend of comedy, drama, and middle grade angst will leave readers with a warm fuzzy feeling." - Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
"Just plain fun from start to finish, this story will appeal to Korman's many fans and others who enjoy humorous fiction." - School Library Journal
"A rewarding time-slip story." - Booklist
"Korman brings his usual humor and heart to this well-plotted mystery… that sensitively explores themes of friendship and family." - Publishers Weekly
"Watching Mason learn from mistakes and explore new aspects of himself (especially with a 17-year-old consciousness trapped in a preteen body) is vicariously satisfying, and the sheer fascination of his predicament will keep readers turning pages, anxious to find out if he succeeds." - Kirkus Reviews
"Korman's signature blend of comedy, drama, and middle grade angst will leave readers with a warm fuzzy feeling." - Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
"Just plain fun from start to finish, this story will appeal to Korman's many fans and others who enjoy humorous fiction." - School Library Journal
"A rewarding time-slip story." - Booklist
"Korman brings his usual humor and heart to this well-plotted mystery… that sensitively explores themes of friendship and family." - Publishers Weekly
Readers Top Reviews
XArjun
Mason and Ty have had a special connection since their Gymboree days--the lasting, loyal, deeply connected kind of friendship most of us dream of having. Everything changes in the 7th grade when a new girl, the most awesome girl ever, moves to town and both boys are enamored. Five years later, their friendship in tatters, the consequences of that long-ago falling out spiral to destroy Mason's life. When he suffers an accident and finds himself back in the 7th grade, can he avoid making the same mistakes? As with every Gordon Korman book, this is funny, brisk, and compellingly readable. I've never read anything of his that wasn't absolutely absorbing and this is no exception. This is such an interesting meditation on friendship, fate, confidence, and how much control we really do (and should) have over our worlds. While the basic premise is familiar, the execution is unique--there were several beats and turns I had not anticipated. In the end, the reader is left with much to ponder, which is the mark of a great book! Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review!
Jothebookgirl
I’m a huge fan of Gordon Korman and Operation Do Over did not disappoint. Many equate this title to previous novel Restart but I didn't read that so this subject was brand new for me. The thoughtful premise of this novel is the time travel narrative that examines the long-term impact of one’s actions. Mason Rolle has shared a “two-brain hive mind” with Tyrus Ehrlich since elementary school. They share the same sports phobia and a deep love of science and time travel. Big changes occur when new girl Ava Petrakis arrives from New York City and both boys develop crushes. The guys make a pact to a “non-Ava treaty” to maintain their friendship. But a terrible falling-out happens between them when Mason and Ava are caught in a photograph that ends up on the 7th grade chat. Narration alternates between Mason at ages 12 and 17, until an incident sends 17-year-old Mason back to his 12-year-old body and life. Given this opportunity for a do-over, he seeks to right wrongs as well as try new things that maybe could alter the bad things that happened during his middle school years. I found the story engaging from start to finish. It is filled with warmth and middle grade humor. All my questions didn’t get answered but hey that’s ok since the book was so good. I kind of feel that Korman left it open for a part two book in the lives of these friends. Ages 8–12
kwc
Gordon Korman is one of the popular fiction writers for the 4th and 5th graders in my elementary school. This book will be a fun addition to the Korman shelf in my school library. Mason and Ty are the best of friends from diapers till 7th grade when Ava starts at their school. Five years later they still are hardly speaking after "the incident". Through a fluke, Mason gets sent back five years and gets a chance for a do over. But can he really change the future by making different choices? This is a fun and easy read that will delight 4th-8th graders. It is more fantasy that sci-fi only because the time jump is never explained. When in the past I wish there was a way for Mason to change himself other than going out for football. Sports isn't the only way to be cool. Also it would have been nice to come up with some explanation for the time jumps but I don't think kids are going to be bothered by those small quibbles. I'm happy to have a new book recommendation for older students. Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Children's Books for an ARC ebook in exchange for an honest review.
J. Margeson
Book arrived torn. Are the new books truly new books, when you order new instead of used.
