DECEMBER 2020 - AudioFile
Rap teacher Dwayne Reed cheerfully narrates his earnest story of Simon Barnes, a shy Chicago fifth-grader who is trying to find his voice and uplift his community. Listeners can’t help but bop and grin with Simon aka Notorious D. O. G.’s lyrical raps on his Westside friends and family. It is easy to hear why Reed’s rapping went viral—it’s a little bit goofy and corny, but genuine. Reed tackles issues of homelessness and bullying with a comforting blend of sincerity and positivity. His authentic language combined with his reassuring tone will delight upper-elementary-age listeners as Simon triumphs over his fears and makes his neighborhood proud. E.A.N. © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine
Publishers Weekly
★ 03/15/2021
On the West Side of Chicago, Black fifth-grade rapper Simon Barnes, 11, also known as Rhymin’ Simon—or, as he’d prefer to be called, the Notorious D.O.G.—decides to focus on housing uncertainty for his back-to-school oral presentation at Booker T. Washington Elementary. After encountering Sunny Jackson, a kind elderly Black man who often sweeps trash outside Simon’s building, Simon begins to wonder more about the lives of the unhoused people in his community. With the support of his new teacher, the cheerful Mr. James, and his best friends, bespectacled Afro-Latina Maria Rivera and tall, anime-loving C.J. Jones, Simon starts visiting a nearby shelter to interview grandfatherly, always cheerful Sunny, once the lead singer of a blues band. Though Simon struggles with nerves and school bullies, his love for rap eventually empowers him to create positive change. Known as “Chicago’s rapping teacher,” Reed writes his characters with compassionate and keen insight, effectively conveying the transformative power of art, storytelling, and community. Simon’s freestyle rap lyrics, and grayscale cartoon-style illustrations of the cast by Paul, are interwoven throughout, adding layers of emotion, wit, and levity to this accessible debut. Ages 8–12. Agent: Elizabeth Bewley, Sterling Lord Literistic. (Mar.)
From the Publisher
A Junior Library Guild Selection “Upbeat and heartfelt, Simon B. Rhymin' is a sure-fire hit!”—Lincoln Peirce, New York Times bestselling creator of Big Nate and Max & the Midknights
"I love Simon. I love his heart, his rhythm and rhyme. We've been needing his voice for a long, long time."—Liesl Shurtliff, New York Times bestselling author of Rump
"An authentic voice, strong friendships and loads of laughs make rhymin’ Simon a winner."—Tom Watson, author of Stick Dog
“Reed writes his characters with compassionate and keen insight, effectively conveying the transformative power of art, storytelling, and community.”
—Publishers Weekly, starred
"A heartwarming tale that combines Black boy joy with community connection." —Kirkus Reviews
"Dwayne Reed has succeeded in writing a story about a boy who is enjoying his life, exploring this theme without overtly coming across as teaching a lesson to readers."—School Library Connection
“This uplifting, realistic story of a young Black boy lyricist is a strong addition to any library collection.”
—School Library Journal
School Library Journal
03/01/2021
Gr 5 Up—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, and he's the first to go. With the help of his friends, he will find a way to bring his inner rapper out and showcase his talents to make the grade. Readers will find the format of this book engaging. Reed writes in song breaks that convey Simon's feelings and inner thoughts through rap lyrics, which will keep even reluctant readers going. Simon is a relatable and authentic upper elementary student who will connect with the intended audience—tweens will be cheering for him as his confidence grows and he shines bright. VERDICT This uplifting, realistic story of a young Black boy lyricist is a strong addition to any library collection.—Elizabeth Pelayo, St. Charles East H.S., IL
DECEMBER 2020 - AudioFile
Rap teacher Dwayne Reed cheerfully narrates his earnest story of Simon Barnes, a shy Chicago fifth-grader who is trying to find his voice and uplift his community. Listeners can’t help but bop and grin with Simon aka Notorious D. O. G.’s lyrical raps on his Westside friends and family. It is easy to hear why Reed’s rapping went viral—it’s a little bit goofy and corny, but genuine. Reed tackles issues of homelessness and bullying with a comforting blend of sincerity and positivity. His authentic language combined with his reassuring tone will delight upper-elementary-age listeners as Simon triumphs over his fears and makes his neighborhood proud. E.A.N. © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine
Kirkus Reviews
2020-12-24
An African American tween with a gift for rhyme turns a school project into something bigger.
Simon Barnes is entering fifth grade at Booker T. Washington Elementary School. He has supportive family and friends but still worries about being the shortest in his class and all the teasing that brings. One thing he holds onto is his ability to create raps, a talent that earned him the nickname Rhymin’ Simon and sparked his dream of becoming a famous rapper. His best friend, Maria Rivera, shares information about their new teacher that makes him a bit anxious, but Mr. James turns out to be a high-energy presence with infectious enthusiasm. He even raps his welcome! However, he then announces their first assignment: an oral report on a topic of their choosing. Simon’s reluctance to speak in public overshadows everything and consumes his thoughts. When he decides to make the subject of his presentation Sunny, an older homeless man who is a fixture in the neighborhood, the compassion his parents cultivated in him emerges. Reed draws on his experience as a teacher who went viral with his classroom raps to tell an upbeat story about a tween grounded in his community of Black and Latinx families. Simon is a likable protagonist, and his relationships ring true. The lively narrative is enhanced by Simon’s rhymes; cheerful illustrations contribute to the buoyant tone.
A heartwarming tale that combines Black boy joy with community connection. (Fiction. 8-12)
