What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedSimon Sort of Says
Erin Bow · Book · 2024
If you loved Simon Sort of Says, start with Secrets of Sulphur Springs (Tracey Thomson, 2021) — a series on the same thread. Below: 4 films, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to Simon Sort of Says across media.
What hooked you in Simon Sort of Says is the way deep, personal grief transforms when you find an unexpected community.
Films on the same thread
Remarkably Bright Creatures
Olivia Newman · Film · 2026
Explores: Grief and healing, Intergenerational friendship, Hidden secrets.
Much like Simon Sort of Says, this story explores how building new, unconventional connections after a personal tragedy provides the necessary healing to navigate a difficult, changing life.
Eighth Grade
Bo Burnham · Film · 2018
Explores: Adolescent Anxiety, Social Awkwardness, Self-Discovery.
If the vulnerability of Simon Sort of Says resonated with you, you will appreciate this raw look at the intense social anxieties and self-discovery inherent in middle school life.
Love, Simon
Greg Berlanti · Film · 2018
Explores: Coming Out, First Love, Identity.
Like the protagonist of Simon Sort of Says, this Simon navigates the complexities of identity and the challenge of finding one's authentic voice in a world of digital pressures.
Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret.
Kelly Fremon Craig · Film · 2023
Explores: Adolescence, Female Friendship, Religious Identity.
This film captures the same delicate transition into adolescence found in Simon Sort of Says, emphasizing the importance of finding your place when everything around you suddenly shifts.
Series on the same thread
Secrets of Sulphur Springs
Tracey Thomson · Series · 2021
Explores: Small Town Secrets, Haunted Hotel, Missing Persons.
If you enjoyed the small-town mystery and family transition elements of Simon Sort of Says, you will be drawn to this story of a boy uncovering hidden local secrets.
My Life with the Walter Boys
Melanie Halsall · Series · 2023
Explores: found family, grief and healing, small-town life.
Fans of Simon Sort of Says will recognize the familiar journey of moving to a new home after a tragedy and discovering a supportive, albeit complicated, found family.
Somebody Somewhere
Hannah Bos · Series · 2022
Shares a thread with Simon Sort of Says: Grief.
This series mirrors the heart of Simon Sort of Says by focusing on a protagonist who finds a sense of belonging and healing among outsiders in a small town.
Malcolm in the Middle: Life's Still Unfair
Linwood Boomer · Series · 2026
Explores: familial obligation, generational trauma, estrangement.
Those who appreciated the family dynamics in Simon Sort of Says will find this exploration of generational trauma and the difficulty of returning home both relatable and grounded.
Podcasts on the same thread
Fame Under Fire
BBC Sounds · Podcast
Explores: Celebrity Culture, Misinformation, Media Ethics.
If the impact of viral fame in Simon Sort of Says intrigued you, this investigation into the ethics of media and public image offers a deeper, real-world context.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
The Ringer · Podcast · 2026
Explores: banter, insider access, celebrity culture.
While different in tone, this podcast captures the importance of the close-knit social circles and camaraderie that help characters like Simon in Simon Sort of Says stay grounded.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Simon Sort of Says appropriate for my age group?
Simon Sort of Says follows twelve-year-old Simon O'Keeffe as he moves to a technology-free town in Nebraska. The story explores themes of viral fame and personal recovery, making it suitable for middle-grade readers who enjoy character-driven narratives about starting over and making new friends.
Why does Simon move to Nebraska in Simon Sort of Says?
In Simon Sort of Says, Simon and his family move to the town of Grin And Bear It, Nebraska. This location is unique because cell phones and the internet are banned to allow astrophysicists to use a giant radio telescope to scan the sky for alien life.
What is the central conflict in Simon Sort of Says?
The central conflict in Simon Sort of Says involves twelve-year-old Simon O'Keeffe attempting to move past the viral fame he gained following a past tragedy. By relocating to a remote, technology-free town, he seeks to restart the narrative of his life with help from his new friends.
How does the setting impact the plot of Simon Sort of Says?
The setting of Grin And Bear It, Nebraska, is essential to Simon Sort of Says because the ban on internet and cell phones forces Simon to disconnect from his viral past. The presence of a giant radio telescope also provides the backdrop for his journey toward personal healing.