Operation Do-Over
on Goodreads (2,070)
What’s inside...
From the New York Times bestselling author Gordon Korman comes a hilarious new high-concept friendship story about Mason, who after a freak accident, is transported back to seventh grade before his life imploded. With his parents still together and his sheepdog alive, Mason sees this as a chance to save his friendship with Ty, avoid the girl who caused their fallout, and make different choices like trying out for the football team. Despite his efforts, he wonders if he can truly alter the past events that ruined his previous life.
Age
8-12
Length
304 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Mason Rolle
Ava Petrakis
Tori Williams
Discussion points
How would you feel if you had the chance to redo a day in your life? Which day would it be and why?
What do you think about Mason's choices during his do-overs? Would you have done anything differently?
How do Mason's experiences teach us about the consequences of our actions?
What did you learn about friendship and empathy from Mason's interactions with other characters?
How does the idea of second chances play a role in the story, and what does it teach us about forgiveness?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings about the book’s events. Validate their feelings and provide your own insights to deepen the conversation. Discuss the moral implications of the story and ask how they might apply these lessons in their own life. Link the discussion to real-world scenarios to help them relate better. Lastly, emphasize the importance of understanding and empathy as shown through the characters’ relationships.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of resilience
Explanation: In 'Operation Do-Over,' the protagonist Mason deals with challenges and setbacks as he navigates through unexpected situations due to a time-travel mishap. His perseverance in facing these difficulties head-on is a central theme.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to maintain their efforts and not give up when faced with difficulties in school or social interactions, understanding that patience and persistence are key to overcoming obstacles.
Example Lesson: Understanding consequences of actions
Explanation: Throughout the story, Mason’s decisions have significant impacts on the storyline, demonstrating how choices can alter not just the present but also the future.
Real-World Application: This teaches children to think critically about the potential outcomes of their choices and to consider the long-term effects their actions might have on themselves and others.
Example Lesson: The value of friendship and teamwork
Explanation: As Mason works to correct the timeline, he relies on the help of his friends and learns to work collaboratively. This highlights the theme that teamwork and building strong relationships are crucial.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to value cooperative work and to build positive, supportive relationships with their peers, which can help in collaborative projects and group activities at school.
Example Lesson: Adaptability to change
Explanation: Mason is thrust into different timelines and must adapt to various scenarios. His ability to adjust and think on his feet is a key part of navigating his challenges successfully.
Real-World Application: This can help children learn to be flexible and adapt to changes in their own lives, whether it’s moving to a new place, changing schools, or handling any unforeseen situations.
Example Lesson: Learning from mistakes
Explanation: Throughout 'Operation Do-Over,' Mason makes mistakes but uses them as learning opportunities that contribute to his personal growth and ultimately to the resolution of his problems.
Real-World Application: This lesson encourages children to see mistakes as chances to learn and grow, not as failures, fostering a growth mindset that can benefit their academic and personal lives.