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Simon vs. the Homo Sapien Agenda
Simon vs. the Homo Sapien Agenda
Reviewed by: Jill O'Connor - North Yarmouth Academy Library, Cumberland Foreside, Southern Maine Library District
Review Date: September 18, 2016
Review
The paperback edition of a 2015 book. Albertalli captures the essence of YA fiction with this book and its story. Simon is a teenager who is gay, and while not embarrassed about it or particularly careful to hide the fact, he has not officially come out. When another boy, a straight student named Martin finds solid evidence that Simon is gay, he uses it as leverage to get help with a girl, Abby, one of Simon's best friends. Simon wouldn't mind the situation so much except that he has been emailing with another boy at his school, under cover of anonymity, and he wouldn't want that boy, whom is really starting to like through their email exchanges, to be accidentally outed. The story is expertly handled and resonates with all of the issues front-and-center in a teen's life: friends, bullies, parents, first love, making it through the day without embarrassing yourself. Simon is a winning character and his friends are pitch-perfect. Though the ending is a bit too pat, you will be so glad that Simon gets to win that you will cheer right along with him. Highly recommend for YA collections.
Overall Book Score: excellent
About the Book
Author:
Albertalli, Becky
Illustrator: ,
Publisher: Balzer & Bray
Book Type: chapter book fiction
Genre: realistic fiction
Audience: grades 10-12
Binding Type: paperback
Binding Quality: fair
ISBN: 9780062348685
Price: 9.99