We loved this book so much it wound up on our summer reading list for middle school in 2023. An excellent addition to any realistic fiction collection, this novel was as heartbreaking as it was hilarious. A great ensemble of characters with distinct voices, as well as amazing tween-friendly hijinks made it a sought-after title!

I loved this book. The characters were all very well developed. At the beginning of the book you meet Simon. He and his family have recently moved to a town that intentionally does not have Internet. They specifically picked this town because Simon has a secret. Something happened to him in his “previous” life that he doesn’t want anyone to know. If the information gets out, it could change everything. Simon becomes friends with Agate and she has some issues of her own. Can Simon trust Agate with his secret? Will she still be his friend when she finds out?

This is one I absolutely should have read the synopsis for before diving into it, but I'm honestly glad I didn't. Heavy warnings for discussion of trauma, but there's enough of a warning at the beginning of the book itself and there's nothing genuinely explicit that I'd say this is a fairly empathetic depiction. The concept is not one I'd hope we'd ever have to unpack, and the fact that we even have to shows how much we've failed as a society in my opinion, but Bow does it well, not going for shock value. I loved Simon, Agate, and Kevin, and there's something to be said for a protagonist who's just <i>handling something</i> like this. I will say, without knowing the concept, this unfolds in a way that feels realistic for a character that's trying to ignore their traumas, or at least to forget about what happened to them. This was both parts funny and endearing, and I'm upset for Simon but not upset that this book was so empathetically done.

Middle school can be a tough gig, especially when you’re as different as Simon. Erin Bow's Simon (Sort of) Says dives headfirst into Simon’s world—a place where surviving a school shooting is just the tip of the iceberg. As Simon resettles into Grin and Bear It, Nebraska, where electronic devices are banned to keep the radio telescopes clear for aliens, he faces a whole new set of challenges with his selective mutism.

Simon’s silent world is beautifully portrayed through his gestures, expressions, and a trusty notebook. But it’s his unexpected friendship with Agate and Kevin that slowly coaxes him out of his shell. Together, they navigate the treacherous waters of middle school life—school projects, bullies, and all.

What makes Bow’s novel shine is her knack for capturing Simon’s internal struggles with such authenticity. Through his eyes, we feel the weight of his battles and cheer for every minor victory. Each character, from Simon's supportive family to his quirky friends, adds depth to his journey of self-discovery.

This Newbery honoree isn’t just about serious topics—it’s a quirky, laugh-out-loud page-turner that tackles big issues with heart and humor. Simon’s narrative is as hilarious as it is heartfelt, leaving readers of all ages with a powerful message of hope and courage.

Whether you’re in middle school or way past those years, pick up a copy of this uproarious page-turner. I couldn't put it down—5 stars all the way!

** Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a comp of this title. The opinions are my own.

This novel delicately handles trauma in a way that is age-appropriate for readers. In a world where bad things are reality for too many kids, this book is a reliable friend for navigating grief, loss, and healing.

I decided to start my year with a middle grade novel! This one was good - the author did a wonderful job of combining humor with a tragic situation. The main characters are in seventh grade, and I’m not sure it would really be appropriate for any children under that age.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

There was no careful consideration about my rating on this one. Sometimes a book is just very clearly 5 solid stars. This is one of them.

This is book is gorgeous. There is nothing about it that I didn't love. It's deep, insightful, sad, funny, joyful, and relatable. There is not a character in the book that didn't make you feel something. Hercules knows who he is, what and he is meant for, and where he belongs. A story with a dog like that could never go wrong. Also, I would like my own personal Agate, please.

This book deals with the trauma of school shootings in a thoughtful, respectful way. It's horrifying that this is a subject that will seem fairly normal to kids this age. It's tragic any child, anywhere should be a victim of gun violence in anyway. But the truth remains what it is.

Frankly, everyone would benefit from reading Simon Sort of Says.

I don't remember the last time a book made me laugh out loud, but also cry. Really tough topic dealt with in a compassionate and hopeful way.

I am broken and healed in equal measure. Gah.

Quite genuinely, I don't know what to say here. This is a book about a school shooting survivor who learns to process his trauma alongside a host of quirky friends. But I don't think I've ever come across a book that balances heavy and light topics so deftly. Erin Bow had me crying one minute and laughing another, and however you spin it, SIMON SORT OF SAYS isn't a story I'll forget easily.

At times the "quirk" did feel a little overwhelming, and the pace did splutter. But overall, this is middle grade at its most powerful: healing, unflinching, fun, and lovely. It deserves all the accolades certainly coming its way.

Given the vast number of glowing reviews already out there for this book, I'm going to keep mine short and sweet. I absolutely loved this book. I've been a fan of Erin Bow for several years now, and her books are always good. Simon takes it to another level. Buy it, promote it, and re-read it. It's that good.

Simon Sort of Says is a wonderful look at how PTSD and trauma can affect a person. Taking a heavy topic, Erin Bow puts heart and laughter into what could be a sad story. I absolutely adored the cast of characters and the way that Simon learns how to live with and manage his trauma in a way that, while he will always deal with it, he can now see a future for himself.

Simon sort of says is well written and would be a great read aloud for a class. It shows how trauma is different for everyone, even within a family. It shares good thoughts on dealing with trauma, ways to make connections and friends. It brings up the idea of thinking about what others have been though before you speak. Very good read

Funny story about traumatic experience and consequences or effects. But trauma isn't funny, is it? Well, no... But I guess with the right attitude or perspective, one can get through anything. And Simon has a different perspective and attitude than many who've been through what he survived. Really cool way of looking at live with more hope. Great writing style. Engaging.

Two words: Jesus. Squirrel. Erin Bow has absolutely knocked it out of the park with this story. Simon will grab your heart and never let go. Agate is such a great kid and just the friend he needs. The weaving of trauma with comedy is so very true to life, especially as a young person, that I'm giving this book to every single person I know and insisting they read it.

Simon Sometimes Says


Twelve-year-old Simon has a big secret that he keeps from everyone he meets in the town where his family recently moved. This is a good place to keep a secret because it is part of a no internet area, due to signals that may or may not come from outer space. So Simon entertains new friends with tales about an incident in which his father’s church was overrun by alpacas during a pet blessing service and the time his father gave a squirrel a holy rite, to distract from the secret. Finally, the secret comes out. Simon is a survivor of a school shooting in which many of his friends were killed while he was left alive more or less by accident.

This is an evocative and interesting story for YA readers.

Middle grade book with the interesting perspective of a child who survives a school shooting and tries to start over in a new town.

I accessed a digital review copy of this book from the publisher.
I found myself drawn in by Simon and his friends. The characterizations of various animals had me laughing out loud. And yes, there is a lot of science and math, but if that's not your thing (like me) that is what skimming is for. It aids the crazy quest, one that is just as outlandish as many other children's books.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the e-ARC of this middle grade book.

It's unfortunate that we need books around school shootings, but we do, and this one is a great one. It addresses survivor's guilt, and PTSD, and too many things our middle grade readers shouldn't have to relate to, but they do, and this does it in a tasteful and heart felt way.

To say this book packs a punch is an understatement. It is so well-written, clever and funny, to the degree that I wanted to stop and read parts of it out loud to anyone around me (which was not appreciated by the rest of my family). Yet it deals with super powerful and important topics in a way that allows young readers to understand them and/or feel seen. The storytelling will draw the reader in and the story itself will remain with them long after the book is over. I also loved how the author explained at the end which parts of the story were made up and which actually happened or exist. Highly recommended for grade 5 & up.

This is what middle grade should be: warm and witty and unfailingly well-written, a book that treats kids as real people with real problems. Simon’s PTSD is handled sensitively and honesty