I don't know if anyone else has been waiting with bated breath for years for a new Erin Bow book, but I was so thrilled to see this I downloaded it instantly and read it all in one sitting. Everything from the slow reveal of what exactly precipitated Simon's family's move to the incredible characterization of his parents (parents being actual people? and not simply archetypes? incredible.) and the matter of fact introduction of Agate as autistic (and her beautiful family!) to the weight on Kevin's shoulders - you laugh and you cry and you're not sorry to do either one more than the other.
It's the kind of book that makes you feel like the author has (big if true) actually met a child. The kids are all right, folks! Most of them are actually pretty decent! And more worried about things like the earth blowing up or being shot at school than whether or not someone's wearing braces or is trans, and what a gift this book is in showing us that.

I recieved an eARC from this book so I could read and review it. Thank you to NetGalley and Disney/Hyperiom for the opportunity.

Some books are excellent. Some are necessary. This one is both.

Simon is a survivor. The only survivor from his 5th grade class of a school shooting, he welcomes the opportunity to move to the National quiet zone, an area where anything that might affect radio astronomy is forbidden, which means no TV, Cell phones. Microwaves, or internet. Which, to Simon, means a chance to hopefully leave his past behind. This is a realistic and ultimately hopeful look at a trauma which is all too real to kids today, who may not have had Simon's experience, but have grown up with the idea that such things can happen, and who, like Simon, need to move into the present.

This is a book which truly should be shared with children, to give them the opportunity to discuss their own fears and experiences. Sadly, it is also a book that it is likely schools will not be allowed to teach. I strongly recommend that parents do so.

I very much enjoyed this book. The story was imaginative enough to keep your attention, but real enough for the kids to relate (I brought a few hamsters to the St-Francis service at my childhood Parish.

The aspect of the book that I loved most of all, was how the author managed to get inside a 7th grader's head. It's impressive and makes the book a sure fire win.