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Simon Sort of Says is a middle-grade realistic fiction novel written by Erin Bow. Twelve-year-old Simon O’Keeffe and his parents move to a small town, Grin and Bear It, in Nebraska for a fresh start in the wake of a tragedy. This town is quiet, small, and has no internet. It is perfect for Simon who wants to fly under the radar.

Erin Bow does a remarkable job of writing a middle-grade story about the after effects a survivor and his family experience in the aftermath of a school shooting. With sensitivity, she addresses the emotional toll not only on Simon but also on his parents. She also balances serious topics with humor which is necessary to lighten the mood and make the hard stuff more digestible. I loved the quirkiness of the town and some of its residents (especially the animal characters), Simon’s parents and their family dynamics, Hercules the puppy, as well as the friendships that Simon develops with Agate and Kevin (especially Agate). One of my favorite scenes is when Agate and Simon meet, and Agate asks him, “What is the most disgusting thing you know?� HA! And, then she proceeds to share with him that “there are spider mites that are adapted to live only on human eyelashes.� I laughed because while that is a gross fun fact, it is a great icebreaker and terrific introduction to one of my favorite characters in the book.

Despite this novel being a tad bit too long, it effectively blends heart and heartbreak with humor and hope. There were plenty of moments throughout the story where I laughed along with several moments that made me cry. As a parent, I can imagine the anguish parents feel after a school shooting. I appreciate Bow including Simon’s parents� experience. As an educator, I have practiced lock down drills with my students, and it is a frightening thought that a drill could turn one day into a reality. I appreciate Bow including Simon’s experience without going into graphic detail. The author also includes a page at the back of the book with resources to learn more about PTSD and where to get help.