Simon Sort Of Says
I LOVEd Erin Bow’s Governor General Award winning novel, Stand on the Sky, so when I saw her new book, I knew I needed to read it even though I had no idea what the story was about. The lovely people at Scholastic Canada provided me with a copy of Simon Sort of Says and what an incredible and funny story, especially given the subject matter.
Simon and his parents have moved to Grin and Bear It, Nebraska. A designated Quiet Zone due to the scientific program SETI, the search for extrateressrtial intelligence. The family is thankful to not have to presence of the internet in town so they can start over. Simon is the sole survivor of a school shooting at his former school and he just wants to leave that Simon behind and be Simon of Now. Although there are times when we all want to start anew, we can’t leave our past completely behind us because it shapes who we are, as Simon and his family discover.
Erin Bow has crafted such a beautiful story and filled the story with the most wonderful and relatable characters. Simon suffers from PTSD but is keeping things mostly in check. His new friend Agate is neurodivergent and can sense Simon’s feelings. Simon’s friend Kevin makes him feel normal even just for a bit. Plus readers get the added bonus of a menacing peacock, an emu farmer, and a Jesus Squirrel.
There are so many stand out moments in this book. Growing up Catholic, I certainly connected with Simon’s dad, the church deacon, and would have LOVED a Black Sabbath sermon at church when I was growing up! The descriptions of the setting and the people are so vivid and easily transport readers to middle of nowhere Nebraska. It was easy to sit in the world and see the characters as they moved about their lives.
Erin Bow’s incredible descriptions of Simon’s panic and anxiety were visceral, making my heart beat a little quicker in the process. What struck me was the amount of empathy I felt for all of the characters in the book but also the joy that was hidden in the terribly funny moments peppered throughout the story to make the subject matter feel a little less weighty.
Erin Bow walked an incredible line, using such a horrific event, that is sadly all too common these days, as an inciting incident but finding the humour and the joy of life after. She does not make light of any of the trauma but allows readers to sit in the moments, understand what is happening, and still find the joy and beauty of life.
One last thing that was especially wonderful was the chapter titles! I am a huge fan of clever chapter titles. The chapter titles in Simon Sort of Says are ones that elude to what is coming in a cheeky and funny way.
