Simon Spier is your average high school junior, living in the outskirts of Atlanta, Georgia. He has tons of friends and acquaintances, he’s close to his loving and somewhat overbearing family and he’s getting ready to partake in the drama club’s production of Oliver (though his part is miniscule at best, the social scene of theater is rampant with teenage hormones and social angst). Not to mention he’s been exchanging intimate and flirtatious emails under the pseudonym “Jacques”, with the mysterious “Blue”; another closeted gay kid at his school, who Simon hasn’t officially met but is beginning to form deeper feelings for.
One problem: Simon’s email account has been infiltrated and he’s now being blackmailed in order to keep from being unwillingly outed. While skirting around the delicate areas of his situation, Simon works to connect with Blue in the real world. He also struggles to answer a few daunting questions; What should he do about the blackmailing? Who should he tell about his sexuality, if anyone? What will everyone think once he’s officially come out?
Through the messy and complex process of growing up, the rickety bounds of childhood friendships and the ability to be okay with who he is, Simon navigates his way into not only discovering who Blue is, but who he wants to be.
The process of me (my husband) getting an Instagram shot, posing with SVTHSA:
- “I don’t care. Just take the shot.” 2. “Okay, everyone doesn’t need to see my RBF (Resting Bitch Face).”
3. “Get my tattoo in there.” 4. “Firebird” on Spotify: “This is my JAM!”
Why did I not read this book sooner?? Simon vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda is a must read YA novel. I finished it within twelve hours. I’m not sure if I’ve read anything even remotely as close to being as factually accurate about being a teenager. The way Albertalli writes just engulfed me in nostalgia surrounding my time in high school…mostly because I went to an arts magnet school and was geeking out over the drama rehearsal descriptions. From wearing pajamas to dress rehearsal to the high of having the whole, empty school at the disposal of you and your peers = highly relatable.
I loved Simon’s character; he’s witty but not snarky and self-deprecating in a charming way. I enjoyed the chemistry between Simon and Blue, and the whole mystery behind Blue’s identity. Honestly, I guessed who Blue would turn out to be about half-way through, but it’s still fun to have that little bit of doubt at the back of your mind. I think this is a YA novel that truly shows how acceptance of different sexualities has evolved in schools, especially over the last ten years. I’ve read a lot of YA novels with the theme of sexual identity lately, and this is definitely one of my Top 5 favorites. This is a book I’d recommend adding to middle to high school libraries and something that anyone who enjoys a fun, quick read would like. I cannot wait to read Leah on the Offbeat and The Upside of Unrequited! 5 stars!
If you’ve read this book and others in the series, feel free to share your take on it! I’m also interested in finding similar books, so recommendations are appreciated too 🙂
Happy Reading!
-Alexis
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Other books in this series include:
