Simon Sort of Says

A boy seeks a fresh start in a town where the internet is banned, hoping to escape his past and find new stories to tell.

4.3 Goodreads · 7,121 ratings

320 pages· 70,587 words· Est. 10 hour read· ~810L

$16.99Save 6%

In stock. Also at Amazon or Bookshop.

Bookroo's summary

Twelve-year-old Simon moves to the internet-free National Quiet Zone, escaping the shadow of surviving a school shooting. Amidst astronomers searching for extraterrestrial life, Simon befriends someone eager to help the scientists. As they embark on a quest to send signals to space, Simon sees a chance to redefine his story. Can he find healing and hope in this unique place, or will his past continue to haunt him? Discover a tale of resilience, humor, and the courage to embrace a new beginning.

From the publisher

For fans of Kate DiCamillo and Jack Gantos, a hilarious, wrenching, hopeful novel about finding your friends, healing your heart, and speaking your truth. Simon O’Keeffe’s biggest claim to fame should be the time his dad accidentally gave a squirrel a holy sacrament. Or maybe the alpaca disaster that went viral on YouTube. But the story the whole world wants to tell about Simon is the one he’d do anything to forget: the story in which he’s the only kid in his class who survived a school shooting. Two years after the infamous event, twelve-year-old Simon and his family move to the National Quiet Zone–the only place in America where the internet is banned. Instead of talking about Simon, the astronomers who flock to the area are busy listening for signs of life in space. And when Simon makes a friend who’s determined to give the scientists what they’re looking for, he’ll finally have the chance to spin a new story for the world to tell. From award-winning author Erin Bow, Simon Sort of Says is a breathtaking testament to the lasting echoes of trauma, the redemptive power of humor, and the courage it takes to move forward without forgetting the past.