Simon Sort of Says

Simon Sort of Says is a Newbery Honor book that masterfully blends humor with the profound topic of trauma and healing. It follows 12-year-old Simon O'Keeffe, who, after surviving a school shooting, moves with his family to the National Quiet Zone, a place free from internet scrutiny. As Simon navigates his new life and friendships, he gets involved in a scheme to help local astronomers by faking an alien signal. This novel offers a poignant exploration of identity, resilience, and the redemptive power of connection, making it ideal for middle-grade readers grappling with difficult experiences or simply seeking a story of hope and humor.

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.