Simon B. Rhymin' Takes a Stand

Simon B. Rhymin' #2

by Dwayne Reed, Ellien Holi (Contributor), Robert Paul (Contributor)

This humorous and heartwarming sequel to Simon B. Rhymin' , by America's favorite rapping teacher from Chicago, follows a young rapper navigating the inequality and injustice within his school and community.

Eleven-year-old Simon and his friends are disappointed with the lack of funding at Booker T. Washington School—there’s no AC, only one space for school activities, and the money for extracurricular programs is getting cut.
Desperate to save Maria’s beloved debate team, the crew start a petition to grab the attention of the local community and show they deserve to have the same opportunities as everyone else.

But when news of the petition reaches the school board, Simon must face his fears once again. Can he use his rhymes to take a stand and prove that he, Maria, and C.J. can make a difference in their hood?

READ MORE ABOUT SIMON AND HIS
Simon B. Rhymin'
Simon B. Rhymin' Gets in the Game

Genres: School, Realistic Fiction, Audiobook, Childrens, Middle Grade

240 pages, Hardcover

Published April 5, 2022

Reviews

[Jessica - How Jessica Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Give us —
The clubs!

Give us —
The clubs!

The kids and I enjoyed this on audio and keep doing the call and response part of Simon’s rap. 😂

[Peggy Schuster · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic book! I would love to see this book be a part of every middle school curriculum.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was my second Simon B Rhymin and I’ll be looking for the next. Simon and his friends attend Booker T. school in Chicago. While Mr. James, their teacher is sharing informations with them about other injustices-Breonna Taylor, Colin Kaepernick, and others, an injustice closer to home is on the kids’ mind. Their school doesn’t have a working air conditioner and all the school extracurricular projects, except sports are being cut. So Simon and his friends decide to change what’s happening in their school.

One of the prevailing messages in both Simon N Rhymin books is that you’re never too young to have a voice. While current events were mentioned, it was not handled with a heavy hand and much more time is spent on the children’s concerns that current events. This is most definitely a book that can be shared with students on the younger side of middle grade.

[Jennybeast · Rating 4 out of 5]

Feels like a very authentic inner-city kid's voice, and Simon and friends are taking on the school board, collecting signatures to try and get the funds for after school clubs restored. He makes some mistakes and has some moments of glory, sharing his rapping talent.

Advanced Reader's Copy provided by Edelweiss.

[Crystal Pottebaum · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great book to read aloud to my class with the rhymes and showing how you can take a stand when something isn't right. We loved the poems and the emotion in the writing. This book was a little hard to get into and stay in as at times it was a bit slow. Still a great fun and easy read aloud during our social justice unit!

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

This sequel offers further insight into Simon and his friends Maria and CJ. Sadly, too many readers will relate to schools who have to cut programs due to funding so will appreciate the effort Maria, Simon and CJ make to bring after school funding back. Reed acknowledges there are no easy solutions as the story progresses.

[MeganRuth - Alohamora Open a Book · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. I loved the first Simon B Rhymin, and tho I liked parts this wasn’t as good. I felt the rhymes weren’t as seamlessly part of the book; they were longer rhymes at the end of chapters often. I felt the first book was a bit more creative and included shorter rhymes throughout the story.

Still cute and a great reminder that kids can be activists.

[Mujer4christ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great Simon book!!! I love how the students figured out a way to fight for what they wanted!! My boys have been chanting:
When I say "Give Us"
You say "The Clubs"
"Give Us . . . The Clubs
Give Us . . . The Clubs"

[Victoria Whipple · Rating 3 out of 5]

Simon and his friends want to save after school clubs that are being cut due to funding. But what can three kids really do? A lot when they put their minds together and take action.