From the Bookshelf of Mock Newbery 2026…

Simon Sort of Says

Erin Bow

Start date: June 1, 2023

Finish date: June 30, 2023

Discussion: Newbery 2024

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Newbery 2024

* 2024 ALA Newbery Award
By Kristen · 36 posts · 196 views

last updated Feb 03, 2024 05:00AM

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* Final Round - 2024 Mock Newbery Award
By Kristen · 34 posts · 187 views

last updated Jan 16, 2024 06:26AM

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What Members Thought

Oct 21, 2022 Abby rated it it was amazing

Shelves: netgalley

As an educator and a reader, this book will be a forever favorite of mine. Erin Bow has taken an incredibly delicate topic and given it a powerful voice.

Simon is the survivor of an all-too-real tragedy. His family has relocated to an area without cell phones, internet, or TV. He is grateful for his new found anonymity and the reluctant new kid in seventh grade. Simon’s story is equal parts hysterical and heartbreaking. I cannot wait for this book to hit the shelves in January 2023. I’m rooting ...more

5 likes · Like · see review

Sep 08, 2023 Kristy rated it it was amazing

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I give this book infinity stars.

At first, I was afraid to read it when I heard what it was about: the only survivor of a school shooting moves to a small town and attempts to live under the radar, separate from his tragic persona.
I am SUPER triggered by gun violence and have a hard time maintaining my composure when talking or even thinking about it.
I assumed the book would be really depressing and hard to read, but actually? It was one of the sweetest, funniest, enjoyabl ...more

2 likes · Like · see review

May 23, 2023 Dest rated it it was amazing

Shelves: sad, book-group-worthy, dogs, school, friendship, newbery, middle-grade, tween, families, funny

Personally, this book felt healing for me, like exposure therapy, because I have intense anxiety around school shootings. I admired the humor, the heart, the complexity of feelings, and the character development. It made me feel hopeful. I loved the puppy. I appreciated the role Catholicism plays in the story. And the science! There's a lot to love about this book.

To put on my literary criticism hat, I'm unsure how well this will stand up to scrutiny when you get past the initial emotional resp ...more

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Jul 07, 2023 Janice rated it it was amazing

Shelves: audiobooks, children-s

Dude! - nod to character Kevin Matapang - Can I give this book and narrator Will Collyer more than 5 stars? I listened to it twice. I now have the physical copy in my hands so I can read over parts that cracked me up and touched me in both audio-readings.
More to come if I get my review writing muscles primed…

2 likes · Like · see review

Oct 09, 2023 Adriel rated it it was amazing

Shelves: j-fiction

Endearing, quirky characters.
Tragic middle.
More sex jokes than average for a middle grade title.
Cover looks like a 4th grade appeal, content 7th and up for sure.
Really beautiful portrayal of friendships and autism.
100% cried at the happy ending.

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Oct 23, 2023 Michele rated it it was amazing

Shelves: youngadult-13andup, juvenile-8-12

I was not prepared for this story. Simon and Agate and Kevin are amazing and resilient and lovely. This book talks about school shootings and trauma and PTSD and so many important topics for today (unfortunately) but more than anything it is about the wonderful resilience of humans, especially when we rise to the challenge to be there for each other and just simply love each other.

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