SIMON SORT OF SAYS by Erin Bow

Review by Kelly Carey
At first, I was wary to read this middle grade novel. Simon is the sole survivor of a school shooting and that plot line felt heavy. But Erin Bow fills SIMON SORT OF SAYS (Disney Hyperion, 2023) with quirky characters in hilarious escapades that allow readers to laugh in the face of tragedy.  She puts an angry peacock in a hearse, lets loose a herd of emu, and anoints a holy squirrel. If that is not enough, she introduces the possibility of faking a message from aliens using a microwave. The humor cushions the tough emotions of this book.

Yes, Simon survived a school shooting. But this book is about how Simon works through the trauma and the symptoms of PTSD, and how his ordeal affects his family. For starters the family has fled to the National Quiet Zone in the hopes of being anonymous. But as Simon makes new friends, the specter of his truth looms large. This is a story about hope, family, and friendship…and a deranged peacock. But mostly the hope stuff.

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On Writing
Erin Bow proves that humor is a smart foil to stories that cover tough topics. Use this novel as a mentor text for wrapping weighty subjects in a soft cocoon for young readers – like you hide medicine for your dog in peanut butter. You can also study this book for the sheer humor alone. Bow hits just the right funny bone for the middle grade reader as she places unique characters smothered in heart into ridiculous predicaments.

This is also a wonderful mentor text for exploring secondary characters. Consider the supporting cast Bow puts around her main character and how they propel the plot forward and offer a point-counterpoint to Simon’s perspective. She makes Simon’s mother a funeral director and his father a Catholic deacon. This allows the book to naturally explore themes of death from both a secular and religious lens. Use SIMON SORT OF SAYS to consider how the characters in your manuscript aid you in telling your story, elicit reactions from your main character, and add depth to your plot.
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Don’t be scared of writing about harsh topics, and don’t run away from reading SIMON SORT OF SAYS. You’ll be happy to meet Simon and learn how simple acts can repair a damaged heart. 

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To learn more about Erin Bow visit https://www.erinbow.com/ or find her on social media @erinbowbooks. 
Click here to purchase Simon Sort of Says.