Simon B. Rhymin'

Simon B. Rhymin' #1

by Dwayne Reed

A humorous and heartwarming bounce-to-the-beat underdog story about a young rapper whose rhymes help bring his community together.

Eleven-year-old Simon Barnes dreams of becoming a world-famous rapper that everyone calls Notorious D. O. G. But for now, he's just a Chicago fifth grader who's small for this age and afraid to use his voice.

Simon prefers to lay low at school and at home, even though he's constantly spitting rhymes in his head. But when his new teacher assigns the class an oral presentation on something that affects their community, Simon must face his fears.

With some help from an unexpected ally and his neighborhood crew, will Simon gain the confidence to rap his way to an A and prove that one kid can make a difference in his 'hood?

Genres: Middle Grade, Realistic Fiction, Audiobook, Fiction, Childrens, Friendship, Contemporary

224 pages, Hardcover

First published March 2, 2021

Reviews

[LaQuisha Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

The audio with this book is a MUST!

[Sydney]

My favorite part is when Simon had a presentation and he made it about homeless people the page number 208 and you should read the book because Simon is spreading positive energy and he feeds sunny and the others and one thing sunny and Simon have in Comin is they both like singing but Simon likes Raping more. One thing I disliked is how bobby was making fun of Simon and bobby interrupting Simon when he was sharing if I could Change the book I would make bobby be nice to Simon.I think who mite like this book is 4th,5th,6th.7th,8th graders they mite like this book because is funny and Simon rhymes are funny.

[Jade · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite part was when Simon and his dad went to the shelter to talk to sunny. I also like the characters and mostly the rhyming because i like how the rhymes sound and also because they are very funny.
My favorite charter was Simon and sunny because Simon is very good with rhyming and was brave when he was going to ask sunny about being homeless,I like Sunny because sunny didn't mind when Simon asked what it's like to be homeless.

The book made me laugh because some rhymes were funny and in some parts were very funny. Simon's friends are funny i also like those charters.

Kids that like funny book and like to rap should read this book because it's very funny and have very good rhyming .

[Afoma (Reading Middle Grade) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simon B Rhymin’ is a refreshing middle grade book with a shy, talented rapping protagonist. However, this book goes beyond entertaining. It tackles a serious issue: homelessness. Readers who enjoy books with a strong sense of community, loyal friends, and Black tweens at the center will enjoy this new release. I’ve heard WONDERFUL things about the audio which is performed by Reed himself.

Read my review on my blog.

Many thanks to the publisher for an eARC via Netgalley.

[Mujer4christ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my goodness. . . This is my new favorite middle grade book!! I strongly recommend listening to the audio book alongside the book. . . It's amazing!! The author gives such dignity and insight to the issue of homelessness.

[Aaden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simon B Rhymin is all about a 11 old boy name Simon Barnes. he want to be a famous raper call Notorious D.O.G but everyone call him Rhymin Simon. At the start of the book Simon is going to Bookear T Washinston Elmentor as a 5g. He is not chill because he is going to make a spech about something But his bff {Maria and cj} can help him. I like the rap/rhmin parts I like them because I love music and how Simon love to rap. I don't like how that they leven on a clifhander. after the last rhymin the book end. That is my review about Simon B Rhymin I like this book and I hope you like this book.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a cute, and just meaningful kid's book. Simon, a boy who does not like public speaking, has to give an oral presentation on something timely - through his struggles and the raps that's thrown in, it's such an important read about feeling confident in yourself.

[Jayden]

I'm gonna be telling you about a great kid named Simon B. Rhymin'. This book is about this kid named Simon (He goes by Notorious D.O.G.) Simon likes to rap. Simon gave a presentation about Sunny Jackson, I will tell you a little bit about the book. During presentation Simon stop and started to talk about when he almost saw sunny butt. I like that part :) during the presentation I felt like he was go to be rhymin but nope he was do a normal presentation.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is mostly about Simon rapping and talking about real stuff. I like how the book talked about serious things happening in real life. My favorite character was Simon's friend Maria. My favorite part of the book was when Simon said funny jokes and he didn't know. I liked most of the ending but I just didn't like how it ended off. I found it hard to focus on one thing because so much was happening in the book it was a bit frustrating. I think someone who likes funny stuff should read this. For this book I don't think age doesn't really matter.

[Dan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel fortunate to have listened Simon B. Rhymin' via Libro.fm prior to it's publication. Dwayne Reed's performance is outstanding and Simon's story was awesome too!

[TheNextGenLibrarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simon B. Rhymin’ was the perfect blend of MG lessons, social justice issues & good ole fashion fun with rapping.
🎶
Simon Barnes is starting 5th grade and wants everyone to call him Notorious D.O.G. because he wants to be a famous rapper. Simon is also the smallest one of his crew and gets picked on for it. When his cool new teacher Mr. James asks the students to give an oral presentation, Simon isn’t having it. He’s not looking for another opportunity to get picked on. Simon has to pick a topic on an issue he’s passionate about for his presentation and chooses #homelessness after seeing a neighborhood man sweeping. Simon learns so much from this assignment and faces his fears to find his voice.
🎶
This topic brings up a lot of prejudices and stereotypes about the homeless population that I feel our kids really need to learn about so they can show empathy for all. I loved this book so much. It had elements of Jason Reynolds and Torrey Maldonado’s writing, both of who my students and I adore. Everyone grab your copy March 2, 2021! Thanks Edelweiss for the ARC! All opinions are my own.

[Karen Arendt · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

O.M.G. Simon! (in the voice of Maria) This book was soooo good. I follow Dwayne Reed on Twitter and was excited to see what he wrote. It takes place in a typical Chicago neighborhood. It was deeper than I thought it would be, as Simon learns about homelessness. Simon, his friends, and family are all endearing and I hope we get to read more about them in the future.

We LOVED the audio book!! Besides the author reading it a million times better than this white woman could, the raps include the music. We checked it out digitally from the library and have listened to it a few times already. 9 yr old follows along in the book to learn the raps. 4, 9, and 39 yr olds all give it 2 thumbs up.

[Shelves · Rating 4 out of 5]

Listen to the audio! So cute! & the book itself has illustrations!! 🎊🎊

[Mary BookHounds · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very uplifting book about a fifth-grader named Simon who wants to be a rapper and would like to be known as the Notorious D.O.G. which I can totally get behind.  Simon has to give a presentation about an important timely topic and although Simon is nicknamed Rymin Simon, he wants to barf when it comes to getting up in front of people to speak.  Being the shortest in class, he doesn't want to draw attention to himself, since he chances being bullied but his new teacher. Mr. James. inspired him by rapping his welcome to the class.  

While Simon has to work up his confidence to give this presentation, he finds that the topic of homelessness in the form of a local neighborhood man, makes his report really hit home.  He sees Sunny sweeping the neighborhood and keeping everything clean but when he talks to him, he realizes that homelessness is more present in his neighborhood than he ever imagined.  It really is an uplifting story about overcoming fears and connecting with your community.  His raps are just super clever and really make this a fun read.  

[Karolina]

hi want something to like? simon B RHymin is the book you will like my favorite book dont read this is if you are not done with the book but my favorite part is the end when he rap at the end everone was there seeing him if your done with the book what is your favorite part of the book he goes to a school like us and he likes to be called Notorious D.O.G you might see it talks about homeless people in the book and the park next to simon's school he has 2 friends maria and cj and he has another friend that they meat his name is sunny he clean's at there school that likes singing and what i don't like about the book is at end they left us hanging they should say that was the end of my rap or say thank you for coming here please be nice to the homeless that sleep at the park and it made me laugh because when he said in class he talks about sunny that made me laugh and there is another book called simon B RHymin takes a stand and what the auther is trying to say simon B RHymin face's his fears maybe i will face my fear one day like the auther oh and simon is 11 years old i like this book maybe you will to and maybe it will pass on to more books about simon cant wait and maybe the auther will make more details

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

1: It was a really good book and its a really good book for the class and it was kinda funny and there was really good rapping for him and one of my favorite ones was on page 191 and 192 and it is really good

2: What i liked about the story is the raps and the funny things Simon,Maria,and C.J say and it is super fun to read something like this

3: What i did not like about the story is when sunny was talking to Simon and sunny was talking about how he was a janitor in Booker.T and Simon was excited to hear he was cleaning there and then he said about how the principal did not like him and some of the students from the school did not like him either and then the principal fired him and then sunny became homeless

4: I would recommend reading this book because it is funny and there is a lot of characters and funny things and really cool raps and some sad parts in the story and its a 4 star book for my opinion



HAVE A GOOD DAY!

[Mandi with Red Quill Editorial · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an adorably fun story with a powerful message about finding your courage and bringing community together! Written by an elementary school teacher who is also skilled with his voice, Dwayne Reed includes fun rhymes throughout the story that relate to what the protagonist is experiencing in that moment. My daughters loved this book. (Bonus: Look up "Dwayne Reed Welcome to the 4th Grade" to watch how this awesome teacher welcomes his new class each year—the video went viral!)

[Jessica - How Jessica Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is absolutely adorable! Audio is highly recommended. It's the sweet story of a young boy, Simon, who wants to be a rapper, but who is scared to talk in front of people.

When he has to do a school report on homelessness, Simon is terrified to speak out loud, but then realizes he can use his voice to help people in his community.

[Emily Carlyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fun read, with all the rhymes that Simon made up. It is extremely realistic, with the teasing from other students and the settings of the community and park. The focus on homelessness for Simon’s project is meaningful and important. With as many times as Maria spoke out against Bobby when he would pick on Simon, I kept expecting Simon to let his frustration, fear, and anxiety to boil over towards Maria - but it did not.

[Ameriya · Rating 4 out of 5]

So Simon b. rhymin is about a kid named Simon that makes rymins about the diffrent things he does and go's and talks about hes friends,And what I like about the book is that its really funny,Also my favourite character is the main character Simon because he reminds me of my middle brother Satavian because he likes rapping and rhyming,And something that I dont like about the story is, I wish they added the characters like Simons brothers, the author only included them in like one or 2 parts of the story,like include them in the story.Lastly i think someone that likes songs and rymins should read this book.

[Alexa · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book Simon B. Rhymin' is about a boy named Simon Barnes and he likes rhyme/rap he also has trouble standing up for himself. what I liked about the book is Simon's friend CJ because he is funny. and it also talks about important things and things that can actually happen in real life. I also like how when he raps how the beat is. what i didn't like about the book is that there was a lot going on and the characters got distracted a lot. After, all the book was pretty good, and I recommend it if you like rap or hearing songs.

[Darnell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simon is a 5th Grader that likes to be Rhymin this book mostly talks about how Simon is starting off at school talking about a Presentation hes really scared and doesn't want to do it he meets a homeless man named Sunny, Sunny is very nice and pleasant to Simon and since Simon is also nice to Sunny. Simon decides to right sunny as his presentation it all turns out well until simon meets his bully named Bobby he is very rude to simon at first but he gets in trouble by the principal that's what i liked about the book sometimes you gotta teach bullies a lesson but the one thing i don't like about the book is how bobby always finds a way to be rude to simon. Simon is very nice and i would recommend this book to younger readers and older readers.

[Jodi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved that Simon found a way to express himself and bring the community together through his talent of rapping while still being a shy kid who struggles with self esteem. You don't have to be the biggest, the loudest, or the best to make a difference!

[Hoover Public Library Kids and Teens · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though fifth grader Simon is quiet, he dreams of following in the footsteps of other iconic Chicago rappers. But Simon starts to panic when his new teacher assigns a presentation in the first week of school . . . and he's the first to go! Can his important topic help him overcome his stage fright?

[Ricki · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very positive story about finding your voice and helping your community, although there seemed to be some plot jumps.

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

ADORKABLE AND DELIGHTFUL!

[Eliza · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting in a good way

[Courtney Lyman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute, sweet, and funny. I liked that it shows that kids can find ways to help with big issues without needing money to do it.

[Carolina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simon is a 5th grader who is a altruistic person who is really good at rapping and a very shy kid that has a big fear of speaking up and i like that he is a very nice person by helping people and standing up for them, what I don't like about this book is that Simon can't stand up for himself. But I still recommend this book because it's funny and very good rapping.