This is such a wonderful story that helps amplify diverse voices and expose young readers to not only the idea of being fully themselves but also to the realities of homelessness. This is something that doesn’t feature prominently enough in most children’s books, AND the audio is captivating! I’d definitely recommend this as a book for your kiddos or to read together.

Fantastic narrator and incredibly catchy narrative. Simon is a kid who has insecurities about his size, but also has a supportive group of friends, teachers and parents who push him to be the best he can be. It was hard not to bop along to the rhymes Simon created to handle the strong emotions he had.

This is a book many kids can relate to. Simon has to give an oral presentation and just the thought makes him sick. He focuses his report on Sonny, a man in his neighborhood who is unsheltered and learns a lot about what Sonny's life is like. He also has to face the school bully all while getting used to a new grade in school.

This is a must listen to! I found myself driving extra just to keep listening. A good addition to library collections.

I really enjoyed listening to this. The narration was fantastic and really brings the story alive, especially with Simon's raps. My son listened with me and he thoroughly enjoyed the audio version and really connected with Simon.

I really liked Simon, he's real and I see a lot of my own son in him. Simon has a big personality but is afraid to speak up in class, I liked that it touched on confidence and self esteem. It also touches on homelessness and I loved how the book shows that they are people who deserve respect and kindness. It teaches empathy which is so important.

I highly recommend this book, especially the audio version.

An upbeat, accessible, fun read full of positive messages. A quiet, 11yo, Black boy is starting 5th grade in Chicago, He is surrounded by a circle of supportive & compassionate family & friends. He dreams of being a rapper, though he's shy and anxious about public speaking and is panicked about his oral report assignment. Volunteering at a local homeless shelter provides him a greater understanding for homelessness and reminds him that you can't make assumptions about people before getting to know them. This realistic fiction story inspires empathy, celebrates creativity, and depicts an authentic struggle to build one's confidence in order to make a difference.

Definitely check out the audiobook!

I found this book frustrating. Simon B. Rhymin’ is filled with amazing aspects, but the book was not without issues. Simon is a great main character. He is realistic and similar to so many kids I have met, filled with personality and charm. He is a wonderfully developed complex character and I enjoyed how Reed created a middle-grade main character with layers, dreams, and insecurities. I also truly enjoyed Simon’s family. It is always nice to see a functioning family in a book, especially a family with both parents involved in their children’s lives. Reed also did a fine job at introducing the issue of homelessness to young readers. Simon’s experiences volunteering at a shelter and Simon trying to learn about his homeless neighbors helps teach readers about empathy. However, it was also the simpleness of the homeless issue that I had an issue. Reed made the issue very one dimension, in particular, one of Simon’s rhythms which were very problematic. Yet, even with those issues, Simon B. Rhymin’ was an excellent middle-grade book that I am looking forward to recommending.

I absolutely loved listening to the audio of this book! It really made the story for me especially since Simon is an aspiring rapper and we could hear him rap throughout the book! While Simon is an aspiring rapper, he’s also pretty small for his age and is afraid to speak up in class. When Simon’s new, cool teacher assigns a presentation, Simon is super nervous to present in front of the class. In addition to issues of self confidence, self esteem and facing your fears, this book also deals with tougher issues like homelessness. While researching for this presentation, Simon befriends Sonny, a homeless man that Simon has seen in his neighbourhood quite often but never got to know. I love that this book showcases homelessness and the fact that they are still people who deserve respect. Loved it! *Thank you to the publishers for a chance to review this ARC!

I'm just meh on this one. While Dwayne Reed attempted to craft a hip middle grade novel, dealing with social justice issues, it fell a bit short.

The audiobook version has slightly abrasive "jingles" which would have been less annoying (and likely to be accepted by the target audience) if they had been more of a rap-style than... well, jingles.

This book was fantastic! The audio is expertly done by the author, and I highly recommend listening to it with kids and/or students. This would make a great classroom read for 4th/5th grade.
The main character is a 5th grade boy, so there is some fart talk that will make kids laugh, but also a lot of depth. Simon learns about the prevalence of homelessness in his neighborhood, and through getting to know a local man, realizes how dehumanized people suffering from homelessness can be, to the point of being invisible. He also learns how to overcome his fear of public speaking. This story is full of great messages told in a way that is fun and relatable for kids. The music and rap sequences make the audio a must for this book.

Book - Simon B Rhymin'
Author - Dwyne Reed
Genre - Middle grade
Hatchette Audio

🤘🏼This is a sweet story of young eleven years old rapper whose rhymes help bring community together. It elaborates Simon and his middle grade life. It's about how he has talent and makes good rhymes and raps. He always dreams to become rapper.
But he is shy by nature and gets nervous in front of people.

🤘🏼So how he learns good values and emerges from where he was lacking with good influence from not being comfortable speaking and singing to being a rapper makes storyline riveting.

🤘🏼There is one poor and kind sweeper who sings too and he forms a special bond with Simon helping him indirectly to showcase his talent with confidence. His brothers' banter is fun as well. The writeup is good and interesting which keeps the flow intact.

🤘🏼I would like to thank @Netgalley @hachetteaudio and @teachmrread for this sweet audiobook. It thoroughly entertained my 7years kiddo too with the subject and raps 🤘🏼

#theindianreadingduo #simonbrhymin' #dwynereed #middlegrade

Simon is a kind character who clearly loves his family and friends. His teachers is very cool, too, which is awesome. I love the shoes and tie matching for the teacher. This story also takes on a difficult topic (homelessness) and presents it to readers in a perfectly nuanced way. As part of the first project of the school year, each student needs to talk about a timely topic. Simon picks homelessness after visiting the local shelter with his dad. Simon feels back about not noticing Sonny all these years which is brought out both by Simon and by Sonny. Not only does Simon deal with nerves for his first presentation having to go first for the entire school year based on alphabetical order, but he excels after he vomits and reaches further to take on this timely topic. This is a must purchase for schools everywhere as homelessness is everywhere.

Only twice have I listened to an audiobook and felt that the audiobook offered so much more than the print book. Being able to hear the rap poetry sung on the audio was an absolute treat that print readers will miss. A s a result, I will be purchasing both the audio and the print copy.

This was such a fun audiobook! My munchkins enjoyed listening to it over the Christmas holidays and just loved the characters. We will definitely purchase this one.

The audio version of this book is amazing! It’s an absolutely perfect blend of humor and heart. I hope we get more from Simon and his friends!

The audio book is wonderful!
Story is fun and humorous. I love the Rhymes.
Recommendation to Grade3 and up.