Simon B. Rhymin' Takes a Stand

February 15, 2022
An African American tween and his friends rally support to keep budget cuts from ending their after-school activities. Simon and his best friend, Maria Rivera, are outraged to discover many of their beloved activities are falling victim to Booker T. Washington Elementary School's lack of funding. The students already cope with a lack of air conditioning, and they are aware of better conditions and equipment in schools in other neighborhoods. When Maria learns that her beloved debate team has been downgraded to a club, with no trips to competitions, she is determined to do something, and she enlists Simon and their friends to help. Simon is skeptical until conversations with his mother and teacher give him hope that a community petition could have an impact. The young people develop a strategy and set about getting signatures. As he becomes more involved in seeking justice, Simon's raps take on a more activist slant. His brother Aaron considers the effort unlikely to succeed without an infusion of social media attention. When Simon tries to make up for a setback, it appears Aaron may be correct. Once again, readers encounter Simon's infectious personality, lively raps, warm, loving family, and collection of loyal friends. The connection between the students' petition and protests in the larger world is seamless and perfectly pitched for a middle-grade audience. Final art not seen. A timely tale that successfully blends the challenges of urban communities with hope and optimism. (Fiction. 8-12)

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April 15, 2022
Grades 4-7 Simon Barnes, a Black fifth-grader living in Chicago, is back with new raps and a new project when his best friend Maria's debate team becomes a debate club due to funding cuts. Is it fair that the schools on the north side get to have teams and art classes while the west side doesn't? Simon and his friends don't think so, and after learning about protests like the sleep-in for Breonna Taylor, they decide to circulate a petition. Simon continues to drop rhymes readers will be bobbing their heads to in this second installment from Reed. Musicians in the making will be drawn in by Simon's raps about his everyday life, and Reed builds a great neighborhood of characters around Simon that lets every reader find representation that resonates with them. Reed's timely writing style brings Simon's life to light, and each character has a strong, individual voice. While Simon's quest to use his voice and not be afraid of it may feel familiar to some, the setting and authorial tone helps this title stand out.

COPYRIGHT(2022) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

April 29, 2022

Gr 3-5-Set over the course of two weeks, this sequel to Simon B. Rhymin' continues the story of Simon and his best friends Maria and C.J. Maria becomes upset when she learns that funding for afterschool arts programs at Booker T. Washington School are being cut in favor of sports programs. Her beloved debate club won't be able travel to participate in competitions. Friends Simon and C.J., like Maria, are inspired by a teacher's lesson on peaceful protest. Maria decides to start a petition against the cessation of certain types of programs. Supported by their families, the kids learn how to create a social movement. The story is interspersed with Simon's great raps which are mostly in his head, due to insecurity. However, he starts to find the confidence to use his mad rapping skills to help in the movement to restore arts funding. Simon learns to fight for something without actually physically fighting-all one needs is his or her voice. The aspirational quality to the story is exciting, and the raps are sure to be a hit with readers. Simon and his friends have various shades of brown skin and dark hair. VERDICT Should be popular with third and fourth graders who enjoy rap music, and those who care about the world around them.-B. Allison Gray

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