Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda

by Becky Albertalli

No cover — Becky Albertalli: Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda (2015, Penguin Books, Limited)

320 pages

English language

Published Feb. 27, 2015 by Penguin Books, Limited.

ISBN:: 978-0-14-135609-9

(56 reviews)

Sixteen-year-old and not-so-openly gay Simon Spier prefers to save his drama for the school musical. But when an email falls into the wrong hands, his secret is at risk of being thrust into the spotlight. Now Simon is actually being blackmailed: if he doesn’t play wingman for class clown Martin, his sexual identity will become everyone’s business. Worse, the privacy of Blue, the pen name of the boy he’s been emailing, will be compromised.

With some messy dynamics emerging in his once tight-knit group of friends, and his email correspondence with Blue growing more flirtatious every day, Simon’s junior year has suddenly gotten all kinds of complicated. Now, change-averse Simon has to find a way to step out of his comfort zone before he’s pushed out—without alienating his friends, compromising himself, or fumbling a shot at happiness with the most confusing, adorable guy he’s never met.

14 editions

Amber Herbert reviewed Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli (Creekwood, #1)

Review of 'Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda is a light-hearted novel about a teenage boy's online relationship with a mysterious boy from his school. I enjoyed the ambiguous nature of their budding romance and loved Simon attempting to piece together the clues "Blue" left for him.

Though the blackmail aspect grew tiring, I was happy Martin didn't turn out to be the love interest.

If this had been published when I was in high school, I believe I would have enjoyed it more. As a 28-year-old mother of two writing a YA romance, this didn't live up to my expectations--especially after all the hype the book and movie received.

Nevertheless, I'd recommend the novel to younger LGBTQ+ readers looking to see themselves in print.

Tsundoku reviewed Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli (Creekwood, #1)

So Cute you'll die of sugar overload

4 stars

Content warning CW: Homophobia, outing

I don't need to tell you the premise of the book. You either already read it, or you saw Love, Simon, or both.

It has some uncomfortable parts, but you know it ends well, it's a romance.

Very worth reading.

nerd teacher [books] reviewed Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli (Creekwood, #1)

Predictable but cute.

4 stars

It's a really cute story. It's a quick read and pretty engaging. I enjoy reading LGBTQIA+ literature and, like, seeing a happy ending, especially since it's such a low-bar to crawl over that so many books can't even do. It's nice to see some of the actual struggles of coming out (how, when, to whom) that don't often get played out well in media, especially with the genuine conflicts that happen among other friends (such as the issues with Leah and Simon after he finally comes out).

It's hugely predictable. It's so simple to know, from the moment the character is mentioned, who Blue actually is; it's simple to know exactly what Martin's going to do, even from the very beginning. That doesn't diminish the joy it brought me to read this.

Jack 💜 reviewed Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli (Creekwood, #1)

Review of 'Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda' on 'Goodreads'

2 stars

So I guess I’m in the minority for this one. This book does iffy things with race (why do I always have to be continually reminded that Abby is black?) and the fact that it’s a gay romance written by a straight ciswoman really doesn’t give it much credence.

Also a Fruits Basket reference? For a book that supposedly takes place in 2015? Eep

meeg reviewed Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli (Creekwood, #1)

Review of 'Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

okay I LOOOOOOOOOOOOVE THIS BOOK

I LOVE IT SO MUCH

I'm so here for a kind and real and honest portrayal of navigating identity like this book absolutely masters. I bought this book, which I rarely ever do now that I work in a library, after starting the audiobook because I NEEDED to hold it in my hands for the last half.

Zéro Janvier reviewed Simon Vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli

Review of 'Simon Vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

Un roman Young Adult et gay finalement très classique, mais vraiment plaisant à lire ! Je dois dire que j'attends avec curiosité l'adaptation cinématographique annoncée.

Arturo Urbanos reviewed Yo, Simon, homo sapiens by Becky Albertalli

Review of 'Yo, Simon, homo sapiens' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

“White shouldn't be the default any more than straight should be the default. There shouldn't even be a default.”

(3,5) ¡¡Me ha encantado leer esta historia!! Si bien tiene unos cuantos altibajos y también unos cuantos personajes que no me han terminado de convencer, es una novela que me ha gustado mucho en general. Me he identificado mucho con los protagonistas y esas dosis de crítica han sido como YAAAS.

No sé, el libro no es perfecto pero para mí ha cumplido.

xini reviewed Yo, Simon, homo sapiens by Becky Albertalli

Review of 'Yo, Simon, homo sapiens' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

This book made me laugh a lot, even in the public transport. Funny, ironical, interesting and amazing, this novel is everything I need in a book. Plus, is LGBT themed. It's perfect.

patchworkbunny reviewed Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli

Review of 'Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

Simon vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda is rather a sweet little book dealing with coming out, but also about identity and friendship. It is assumed that Blue is someone Simon knows, and it was great to keep guessing throughout. I changed my mind on several occasions but, in the end, I was as clueless as Simon.

Simon and Blue’s emails reminded me a little of the letters my friends and I wrote to each other at school, although ours weren’t anonymous or romantic. They did feel authentic in style, something I can imagine teenagers writing (at least the ones who don’t insist on using textspeak).

The anonymity of the emails highlights how for many, it’s easier to be open with someone you don’t know, and the internet can be a huge enabler for this. Tumblr appears as both positive and negative, it can be used for the power of good as well as bullying. And Simon feels it is easier to come out first to someone he hasn’t known forever, the risk is lower if they walk away. But telling your best friends and family? That’s something a lot harder to get past the worry of what ifs.

The school isn’t an openly hostile environment. Yes, they have a few idiots, but it felt like a decent bunch of kids and somewhere where Simon shouldn’t have been too worried about coming out. Of course, it’s a big step but I liked that it was more about Simon getting to the place where he can be open about it. It might have been accelerated by the actions of others, but his greatest worry really was losing Blue at the end of the day.

Review copy provided by publisher.