Simon Sort of Says by Erin Bow tells the story of a middle schooler named Simon, who is the sole survivor of a school shooting. To escape the memories, Simon and his family move to the National Quiet Zone, a place where technology is restricted. The book blends humor with serious themes of trauma, anxiety, and healing. Bow's writing is both genuine and beautiful, capturing the voice of a 12-year-old accurately and with depth, making the characters relatable and vivid.

Throughout the novel, Simon navigates his new life while grappling with his past. He deals with complex emotions but maintains a sense of humor, which serves as a coping mechanism. Readers can expect moments of laughter alongside the poignant exploration of grief and recovery. Simon’s friendships help him in his journey, and the story is crafted with care, making it a touching yet entertaining read.

Characters:

The characters are deeply developed and reflect realistic experiences and perspectives of middle school students.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is engaging and authentic, weaving humor into a poignant narrative about healing.

Plot/Storyline:

The story follows Simon, a school shooting survivor, as he attempts to heal and adapt to a new life, exploring themes of trauma and friendship.

Setting:

The setting is a unique town that enhances the story's themes and Simon's character journey.

Pacing:

The pacing is well-balanced, maintaining reader interest while addressing serious themes.

Notes:

The book is titled 'Simon Sort of Says' and is written by Erin Bow.

It deals with the aftermath of a school shooting from the perspective of a 12-year-old boy named Simon.

Simon is the only survivor of a shooting at his school.

The story balances humor and serious themes like trauma and grief.

Simon and his family move to the National Quiet Zone, where the internet is banned, to start fresh.

Simon has PTSD and the book provides an accurate portrayal of his anxiety and coping mechanisms.

It features a well-developed autistic character and a service dog in training.

The humor in the book serves as a defense mechanism against serious topics.

The themes are relevant for middle school readers, who may relate to Simon's experiences with active shooter drills.

The narrative is described as both funny and profound, making readers laugh and cry throughout the story.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings for Simon Sort of Says include themes related to school shootings, trauma, grief, and anxiety.

From The Publisher:

For fans of Kate DiCamillo and Jack Gantos, a hilarious, wrenching, hopeful novel about finding your friends, healing your heart, and speaking your truth.

Simon O'Keeffe's biggest claim to fame should be the time his dad accidentally gave a squirrel a holy sacrament. Or maybe the alpaca disaster that went viral on YouTube. But the story the whole world wants to tell about Simon is the one he'd do anything to forget: the one starring Simon as a famous survivor of gun violence at school.

Two years after the infamous event, twelve-year-old Simon and his family have just moved to the National Quiet Zone-the only place in America where the internet is banned. Instead of talking about Simon, the astronomers who flock to the area are busy listening for signs of life in space. And when Simon makes a friend who's determined to give the scientists what they're looking for, he'll finally have the chance to spin a new story for the world to tell.

From award-winning author Erin Bow, Simon Sort of Says is a breathtaking testament to the lasting echoes of trauma, the redemptive power of humor, and the courage it takes to move forward without forgetting the past.

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Simon Sort of Says

Erin Bow