Mock Newbery 2026 discussion
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Simon Sort of Says
Newbery 2024
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June Read - Simon Sort of Says
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I just finished this one today. I really enjoyed the audiobook! I'm going to save my full thoughts until the end of the month, but this was a really solid contender.
I had been looking forward to reading this one and it did not disappoint. Seems to me like a strong contender for the Newbery. The character voices were truly genuine even including words like “emo”. The science parts dragged for me but everything tied together nicely in the end.
I read this with my ears and absolutely adored it. I've ordered the book and it will be a rare reread for me. Definitely a 2023 fave.
Are nonfiction titles eligible for a Newbery? I just read Steve Sheinkin’s newest title Impossible Escape. This is a tough read, hard to fathom that it’s true and incredibly well researched.
Yes, nonfiction titles are eligible and have won in the past.
Simon says, “Behind me my mother starts talking. I can’t make out the words, but I can hear her funeral director voice, soft and calm and saying the unthinkable.”(p.138)Erin Bow describes the unthinkable in SIMON SORT OF SAYS using dark humor, strong characterizations and unique settings. The book explores multiple themes that resonate in our contemporary world.
This story deals with some tough subjects, a school shooting, an excentric family devoted to their damaged son, and some new peculiar friends. It focuses on how three 12-year-olds working together, through creative thinking and altruism gather unbelievable strength. I found the storyline a bit over the top, but loved the convincing altruism and creativity they exhibited, empowering one another, by working as a team to fulfill an unbelievable challenge.
I wrote a review of this book. I rarely bash anything but I really had major problems with this book. I doubt I will put it on my Mock Newbery - maybe to get some good discussion going about it, but probably not.Here's my review:
I thought I was going to love this book. I love humorous books that are actually funny. It’s (mostly) funny so one star for that. I think the topic of school shootings isn’t taboo. We are going to have an entire generation of adults who grew up traumatized by them, having to practice lockdowns and peeing in a bucket while being absolutely terrified they were going to die. Let’s start discussing and dismantling these feelings and emotions. But not with this book.
I had trouble with quite a few things. While I’m not going to chronicle every single thing, my major problems were the author describing Kevin’s mother as “his mom turns out to be the whitest of white ladies: blond, Karen haircut, mom jeans, the whole package.” Derogatory, insulting, politically charged, and dating this book pretty quickly. So many other ways to show the mom being a total white privileged jerk instead of using an insult that I absolutely despise. And frankly some kids won’t know. The stupid t-shirt about the school shooting was not funny. The hoax they tried to pull off was ridiculous. The author’s foreshadowing about the shooting that some people seem to love, was useless as the inside flap gives up the “surprise.” Wouldn’t it have worked better if the author assumed the reader knew what happened and we followed along as Simon desperately tried to keep it a secret from everyone else? Lots more, but that is enough bashing of a book that I frankly never do. But this is getting rave reviews and in my opinion doesn’t deserve them.
This story was a wonderful fusion of the hilarious with sobering reality. I was guffawing at scenes featuring a beer-drinking dog, the Jesus squirrel, the corpse on a road trip, Pretty Stabby the peacock, and more. Then there was the sobering reality of Simon (and his parents) having to deal with the aftermath of his trauma. The author skillfully wove all these different threads together to make a story that readers old and young alike will enjoy. I agree with other reviewers who believe this is a Newbery-worthy title.
I loved this one so much! I did not in a million years expect this book to be so funny. Knowing Simon’s traumatic event, I assumed it would be serious, but that didn’t dominate the tone like I had expected. The author wove the lighter moments through the heavier so that it never felt too dark or without enough weight. I thought the wordsmithing was excellent, right down to the chapter titles. This may end up being my favorite of the entire year. 🩵
Well it took me a while to get through this book but I did finish it about a week ago. I think the book discusses a good topic but takes a bit long to get there. As I knew beforehand Simon survived a shooting I kept waiting for that to be mentioned. I felt some details were a little out of place and unbelievable to me. Overall not a bad book but I felt it was a little slow for me and I wouldn't pick it for Newbery.
Ellen Peterson wrote: "Well it took me a while to get through this book but I did finish it about a week ago. I think the book discusses a good topic but takes a bit long to get there. As I knew beforehand Simon survived..."Usually, I read a middle grade novel in two to three days. It has taken me weeks just to get midway through this book. I am wondering why everyone thinks Simon Sort of Says is so remarkable and funny. So far for me, it is neither. And I have a great sense of humor. I chuckled maybe twice. I have put this book down yet again and picked up The Labors of Hercules Beal. What a breath of fresh air.
Have any readers of Simon Sort of Says also read The Possibility of Everything? I’m intrigued by both having unreliable narrators coping with the aftermath of unspeakably horrible events.
Chris G. wrote: "Have any readers of Simon Sort of Says also read The Possibility of Everything? I’m intrigued by both having unreliable narrators coping with the aftermath of unspeakably horrible events."I will be reading The Probability of Everything in a few days. Looking forward to it.
Chris G. wrote: "Have any readers of Simon Sort of Says also read The Possibility of Everything? I’m intrigued by both having unreliable narrators coping with the aftermath of unspeakably horrible events."It’s in my pile of TBR this weekend, but now it’s on the top. You’ve piqued my interest.
Is the Possibility of Everythingnby Edelman?
Josephine wrote: "Is the Possibility of Everythingnby Edelman?"It is the Probability of Everything by Everett
I wrote this before I read all of your reviews and controversy. Glad I read it.As I read this I had flashes of so many middle grade authors I love - Barbara O'Connor, Jack Gantos, Deborah Wiles. I won't write a review, because I would refer to Betsy Bird's and Richie Parington's that are both so well written and pointed out so much I missed in the reading.
So much of the humor will go to adults/teachers reading the book. I especially loved the chapter on the media and lines like "It's NPR it will be very tasteful and no one will hear it."
I know I missed the humor about Catholicism because I just don't have the background, but I'm sure there was a lot.
I doubt this will get Newbery recognition, but I'm sure it will get lots of reading and lots of buzz.
I read the probability of everything and it’s very good and so tense.
Marcie wrote: "I wrote this before I read all of your reviews and controversy. Glad I read it.As I read this I had flashes of so many middle grade authors I love - Barbara O'Connor, Jack Gantos, Deborah Wiles. ..."
I am still trying to finish this title. Maybe the second half of the book will get better for me. Simon's dad was a deacon in the church, I believe. Deacons proclaim the
Gospel, preach, and teach in the name of the Church. As ministers of
Sacrament,deacons baptize,lead the faithful in prayer, witness marriages,
and conduct wake and funeral services As ministers of Charity, deacons are
leaders in identifying the needs of others, then marshaling the Church's
resources to meet those needs. Deacons are also dedicated to eliminating
the injustices or inequities that cause such needs. But no matter what
specific functions a deacon performs, they flow from his sacramental
identity. In other words, it is not only WHAT a deacon does, but WHO a
deacon is, that is important. This is from the United States Conference of Bishops page. I got the feeling that Catholicism was being made fun of throughout at least what I have read so far. Religion, no matter whose it is, I don't find fair game. If this were probably any other religion, many, many people would be losing it. Where were the sensitivity readers that publishers love to talk about for Simon Sort of Says? When we are initially introduced to Simon's friend's mom, she is described as very, very white with Karen hair. Simon didn't even interact with her yet but seemed to have a problem with her just by her looks. Why is this okay and how is "Karen" hair supposed to look? The author seems to be trying for coolness. I don't find it cool or trendy. No race or group should be thought of unkindly based on perceived appearance.
I may be in the minority here, but I thought it was kind of boring. It had the potential to be great, but I wasn’t sucked in and struggled to finish.
Ivy wrote: "I may be in the minority here, but I thought it was kind of boring. It had the potential to be great, but I wasn’t sucked in and struggled to finish."I'm with you. Reading this book was like wading through molasses. But probably not as much fun. I also am not a fan of inaccuracies in books. Especially those written for children. Children will remember. It would have taken little time for the author (or editor), to realize it is extremely rare for opossums to carry rabies. It is believed their body temperature may inhibit the virus and make it difficult to survive. They also don't have two penises. The male opossum has a bifurcated (two-pronged) penis. I did read this from an arc I won. Maybe these inaccuracies were corrected in the retail copy.
Simon Sort of Says by Erin Bow has already been mentioned in a few discussions in our group.
Is this publication a contender for the Newbery?