Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda

Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda

• Genre: Fiction; young adult contemporary
• Originally Published: 2015
• Reading Level/Interest: Lexile HL640L; grades 9 and up
• Structure/Length: 35 chapters; approximately 303 pages; approximately 6 hours, 45 minutes on audio
• Protagonist/Central Conflict: The novel follows Simon Spier, a high school student who is not ready to come out as gay. He starts an anonymous online friendship with another closeted student, Blue, using pseudonyms. When a classmate discovers their emails and threatens to expose Simon's secret, he faces the dilemma of coming out on his terms or having his truth revealed without his consent. The central conflict revolves around Simon's journey of self-acceptance, his connections with his friends, and the challenges of navigating love and identity.
• Potential Sensitivity Issues: Coming out; identity struggles; bullying, including cyberbullying; references to sex; profanity; anti-gay bias, and derogatory terminology for gay people

Becky Albertalli, Author

• Bio: Born 1982; American author known for her inclusive and relatable young adult fiction; addresses themes of identity, friendship, and romance; received praise for portrayal of LGBTQ+ characters and coming-of-age experiences with Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda, her debut novel; collaborated with Adam Silvera on What If It's Us; actively engages with readers on social media; advocates for representation in literature
• Other Works: The Upside of Unrequited (2017); Leah on the Offbeat (2018); Love, Creekwood (2020); Once Upon an Eid (2020, as editor); Kate in Waiting (2021)
• Awards: Morris Award for Debut YA Fiction (2016); National Book Awards for Young People's Literature (longlist; 2015); Goodreads Choice Award Nominee: Young Adult Fiction (2015)