Gr 5 Up—Simon and his family move to a small town after a horrific tragedy, but things like PTSD and the press
refuse to be made part of the past. This realistic fiction title is equal parts hilarious and heartfelt, with strong,
supportive characters and themes of friendship and trauma.

Simon and his parents move to a new town after major trauma, though Simon likes to tell people it was because of the Alpaca Incident. It's Simon's goal to fly under the radar, but Agate, his new best friend, convinces him that what they really need to do is to spoof a message from aliens, directed at the scientists at a nearby research facility. Also, goat birth, a murderous peacock, and a holy squirrel.

As you can sort of tell from that description, this is a wacky story of friendship and PTSD, interspersed with questions of faith and death, and a multitude of disgusting facts. You might not think that this would work, but let me assure you, it does. This book is funny and endearing, and accessible to both kids and adults. ( )

Endearing, quirky characters.
Tragic middle.
More sex jokes than average for a middle grade title.
Cover looks like a 4th grade appeal, content 7th and up for sure.
Really beautiful portrayal of friendships and autism.
100% cried at the happy ending. ( )

Personally, this book felt healing for me, like exposure therapy, because I have intense anxiety around school shootings. I admired the humor, the heart, the complexity of feelings, and the character development. It made me feel hopeful. I loved the puppy. I appreciated the role Catholicism plays in the story. And the science! There's a lot to love about this book.

To put on my literary criticism hat, I'm unsure how well this will stand up to scrutiny when you get past the initial emotional response. The plot hinges on there being no internet in town because of the National Radio Quiet Zone. But if there are landline telephones, couldn't there be wired/Ethernet internet and cable television? Also, it didn't seem realistic to me to blame Kevin's scientist mom for outing Simon as The Boy Who Lived. Simon thinks he's recognized immediately by his homeroom teacher. Couldn't she have been the one to share his full backstory?

It's also tricky to talk about this book because it's clearly set up to slowly reveal that Simon survived a school shooting, but that premise is written right on the book jacket. So it's not a surprise to the reader, but it would be so much better plot-wise if it were. So, yeah, tricky. It's a twist that can't be a twist. A necessary spoiler.

I would put this book in the same category as [b:Fighting Words|48945757|Fighting Words|Kimberly Brubaker Bradley|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1574716879l/48945757._SY75_.jpg|73825464]. They are both beautifully written books about very difficult subjects. Both books seem to want to show young readers that we are not defined by our trauma. ( )

I absolutely loved this book. I was either laughing out loud or crying or both. I loved the parents--they were fantastic and what all parents hope to be. This novel and the Labors of Hercules Beal are my favorite 2024 Lone Star novels that I've read so far.

Simon moves to Grin and Bear, Nebraska to attend a new school. His mother also purchases the one funeral home and his father is a deacon at the local Catholic Church. It's home to the National Quiet Zone. No one can use TVs, microwaves, cell phones, computers, etc. because of the radio towers waiting to hear from outer space. Simon feels ecstatic about the lack of outside intrusion because no one can google him. He can fly under the radar and live a normal life. He meets two people who become his friends. Agate (whose 6 siblings have "rock" names) lives on a farm, representing Team Farm, where she and her family have a dog, Todd, who drinks beer, goats, and lots of animal and farm chores. It's a lesson in biology with every visit. Kevin belongs to Team Science, with his mom a major player in the radio tower alien messaging world. She rules the house and the choices her kids make, relying on science more than emotion.

I am not giving away anything in this review and I'm annoyed that most tell about Simon's past, which isn't revealed until almost halfway through the book. As the reader, you need to wait. Catch the foreshadowing and the clues and get to know Simon and his parents. It'll make the reveal of his trauma mean more. Don't even read the cover of the book. Just read the book. Let it unfold. It's so well-written and pulls you in immediately.

Agate is overweight and autistic, but those facts are less important than what she wants to do. She wants to bring the Scientists joy. They really need to get a message from space, so she has a plan. Kevin spends his time trying to please his mom and her high expectations. Simon agrees to help Agate but vacillates on whether Kevin should help them. This project becomes an over-arcing plot. Can they fake a message from outer space?

So, how is a book about a past trauma, scientists, and farmers funny? Well, his mother owns a funeral home with the word Slaughter in the title and has an incompetent employees who picks up the bodies. His father manages the Catholic church where he pronounces a squatting quirrel, their Jesus squirrel. Erin Bow incorporates hilarious moments from these two jobs along with a peacock that's "in heat." Agate's parents are also amazing--not so funny but more than capable.

I absolutely loved the pacing of the book, the balance of humor and trauma. The realities of life are presented with a deft hand. I highly recommend listening to this novel! ( )