Bow, Erin. Simon Sort of Says. Disney / Hyperion, 01/2023. 305pp. Fiction. Trade $16.99. 978-1-368-08285-3. GRADES 6 – 8. ADDITIONAL.
Simon and his family (seemingly white) move to the National Quiet Zone (for radio telescopes) where his mom runs the funeral home and his dad is the town’s Catholic deacon. Starting seventh grade in the middle of the school year is surprisingly easier than expected, with new friends who end up helping him through some difficult times related to Simon’s personal life over the past two years. Simon seems normal, but something about his past is different and difficult to talk about. It turns out that the past is extremely difficult—for him and readers—because he is the only survivor of a classroom shooting. Be aware of strong emotional scenes, alleviated by moments of hilarity that help the reader move past the traumatic PTSD scenes. Luckily, there is much more to the book than the PTSD, including an attempt to prank the radio astronomers.
Joshua Rees—Daly City Public Library