Written by: Becky Albertalli
APA citation: Albertalli, B. (2015). Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens agenda. New York: HarperCollins.
Cover image: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/19547856-simon-vs-the-homo-sapiens-agenda
My summary of the plot: Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda was a nice light story about a young gay man that has been corresponding with someone from his school. He doesn’t know the identity of the person he has been emailing so he is constantly wondering who it is.
Keywords: Gay, coming-out, high school
My assessment: This is a light, easy to read book. It is an important book for young gay teens to read. It might help them deal with the coming-out process. While important, it is also a very funny book. There were many moments such as this one:
“I take a sip of my beer, and it’s – I mean, it’s just astonishingly disgusting. I don’t think I was expecting it to taste like ice cream, but holy fucking hell. People lie and get fake IDs and sneak into bars, and for this? I honestly think I’d rather make out with Bieber. The dog. Or Justin.
Anyway, it really makes you worry about all the hype surrounding sex” (N.P.).
Audio review: Michael Crouch brings a believable voice to this book.
Citation for audio book: Albertalli, B. (2015). Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens agenda. [Audio Recording]. New York: Harper Audio
Review from a library journal:
Gr 8 Up-Simon Speir, high school junior, walks away from his computer at school for just a moment, and that is when his biggest secret is discovered. He has been emailing a boy in his grade anonymously ever since a poetic waxing on his high school’s gossip Tumblr caught his eye, and now Martin Addison has taken a screenshot and has a powerful way to blackmail Simon into getting his friend, Abby, to date him. Although it is filled with trendy pop-culture and digital-age references (Tumblr, Justin Beiber, The Bachelor, etc.) that may not stand the test of time, the message will resonate. Rife with realistic, high school relationships and drama, with a laugh or two at every turn, this is a coming-of-age, coming-out, and defying-the-odds story with which many teens will identify. With a very tidy, feel-good ending, the book will appeal to readers who enjoyed Tim Federle’s Better Nate Than Ever (2013) and Five, Six, Seve, Nate! (2014, both S. & S.) and will find a familiar, slightly more mature home with Simon.
Citation for book review: Staszak, B. (2015). Simon vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda. School Library Journal, 61(1), 105.
Recommendations for library or classroom use: I would strongly recommend this for young gay male students.
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