This was my second Simon B Rhymin and I’ll be looking for the next. Simon and his friends attend Booker T. school in Chicago. While Mr. James, their teacher is sharing informations with them about other injustices-Breonna Taylor, Colin Kaepernick, and others, an injustice closer to home is on the kids’ mind. Their school doesn’t have a working air conditioner and all the school extracurricular projects, except sports are being cut. So Simon and his friends decide to change what’s happening in their school.

One of the prevailing messages in both Simon N Rhymin books is that you’re never too young to have a voice. While current events were mentioned, it was not handled with a heavy hand and much more time is spent on the children’s concerns that current events. This is most definitely a book that can be shared with students on the younger side of middle grade.

I was very excited to read this second installment, Simon B. Rhymin' Takes a Stand by Dwayne Reed. As a fifth grade teacher, I love it when books are right up my kids alley. I have a diverse group of learners and it is good to see that they can see themselves in the main characters. Unfortunately, it is all too common that academic clubs are being cut in the public school system, and this is basis for the main character, Simon and his friends Maria and CJ to fight back against these cuts. We finally see Simon using his talents on stage. That was wonderful to see. Readers will love the illustrations throughout. Perfect for upper elementary students in 5th or 6th grade looking for help visualizing.