Recommended for you

Start writing a post

Entertainment

Diverse Reads: ‘Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda’ by Becky Albertalli

Grab this book and a plate of Oreos ASAP

Haley Watson

May 22, 2017

Drew University

111

Diverse Reads: ‘Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda’ by Becky Albertalli

Pexels

Becky Albertalli's Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda is a LGBTQ young-adult novel following sixteen-year old Simon Spier. Not so openly gay Simon just wants to work on the school musical, hang out with his friends, and keep his email pen-pal, Blue, a secret. Like Simon, Blue is also secretly gay. When a fellow classmate, Martin, discovers Simon’s emails, he blackmails Simon into helping him with his own relationship troubles. If Simon doesn’t help, his relationship with blue and their sexualities will be exposed.

One of the reasons why Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda feels so realistic is because the novel does not solely focus on Simon's sexuality. We follow alongside Simon, the average, yet quite hilarious, teenager, as he navigates life in general. We see him perform in the school musical, hang out with his friends, watch The Bachelor with his family, and so on. He has a love for Oreos that would rival your own, and anyone who considers Golden Oreos can step aside. Simon feels like he could be your own best friend.

Overall, the novel is filled with heart and humor. However, one of the more upsetting aspects of the novel is that Simon is forced to come out as a result of Martin’s blackmailing. Simon is comfortable with being gay, but he is unsure of how his friends and family will react to his coming out while living in more conservative Georgia. Yet, it is the support Simon receives from his family and friends that makes the novel as a whole a great LGBTQ read. While he unfortunately receives some backlash at school, his sisters, parents, and best friends encourage Simon to ignore the hate.

Since its publication in 2015, Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda has received numerous awards, including the William C. Morris Award Winner: Best Young Adult Debut of the Year. Becky Albertalli’s next novel, coming out in 2018, will be the sequel to to the title, following the perspective of Simon’s friend, Leah. Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda is currently being produced as a film adaptation, starring Nick Robinson, Josh Duhamel, and Jennifer Garner. The film is set for release in 2018.

Report this Content

This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

Entertainment

Things People Without A Typical 'Boy Name' or 'Girl Name' Know To Be True

All names should be "unisex names."

Tulane University

1175

There are tons of unisex names that are popular: Taylor, Alex, Bailey, etc. There are also numerous names that are used for both sexes, but they’re not seen as “unisex” yet. People are slowly becoming accustomed to the dual use of these names, but for the most part, in their minds they associate certain names with certain sexes. And that leaves those of us with these names in many awkward situations.

Keep Reading...Show less

unisex names

Lifestyle

16 Secrets Anthropology Majors Never Admit To

You know that all of these things apply to you. You'll just never tell.

Washington College

6068

CSU

I'm an anthropology major, and I love every minute of it. I couldn't tell you why, but I guess there's just something about studying different lifestyles that absolutely fascinates me. But anthropology majors definitely have our weird sides, especially when you go to a school that is filled with mostly Business and Bio majors. But us weirdos definitely have a lot in common, specifically these 16 things.

Keep Reading...Show less

anthropology major

Featured

14 Things The Extremely Pale Are Tired Of Hearing

I get it... I'm pale.

University of Vermont

2578

Everyone has insecurities, that's just a fact. You didn't ask to be born this way. You didn't ask to inherit the one trait no one else in your family has. And you definitely didn't ask to be this ghostly white. But as soon as you've learned to live with it for a while (less wrinkles later on in life, right? right???) someone has to ruin it for you. They have to flaunt they're perfectly tanned body from Spring Break and hold their sun-kissed skin against yours. But I've had enough... here are the things that perpetually pale individuals are tired of hearing.

Keep Reading...Show less

pale skin

Recommended for you

Diverse Reads: ‘Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda’ by Becky Albertalli

Grab this book and a plate of Oreos ASAP

Subscribe to our Newsletter

All names should be "unisex names."

1. Communicating via email can be awkward.

2. Appointments usually accompany weird looks.

3. Introducing yourself to someone is never without a hitch.

4. You’ve probably thought about changing your name.

5. You’re often asked why you have the name you do.

6. You get excited when you meet someone of your gender with your name.

7. You feel awkward when you meet someone of the opposite gender with your name.

8. You’ve had someone say to you, “I knew a [your name], but they were [your opposite gender].”

9. You’ve heard a bad joke/pick-up line or two about your name before.

10. People are surprised when they see you.

11. You’re extra sensitive to other unique or unisex names.

12. You’ve fought with your parents about it.

13. All things considered, you’re happy your name makes you unique.

You know that all of these things apply to you. You'll just never tell.

I get it... I'm pale.

1. At least I can't lose you in a crowd!

2. Oh my goodness your skin is like glow-in-the-dark.

3. Can't you just get fake tan?

4. Do you tan or just burn?

5. Your kids are going to look like Casper the Friendly Ghost!

6. *holds arm against your arm* Look how much darker I am compared to you!

7. *holds pale arm against another pale arm* Aw, at least you're darker than her!

8. I laid out by the pool almost every day over break!

9. I haven't used sunscreen since I was, like, five.

10. *adjusts selfie lighting to their face* Oops, where'd you go??

11. *after working out* Your face is SO red!

12. *wears white* Look! You're all one color!

13. You need to get some sun.

14. Aren't you excited for summer?

The struggle bus is real.

1. Child prodigies:

2. Hearing other musicians in the practice room next door and accepting that you will never be as talented as them:

3. That anxiety that takes over before every performance:

4. Taking a million 0 credit classes:

5. When there's a paper due the next day, but you have to attend yet another concert in order to pass a 0 credit class:

6. When your friends try to encourage you after a performance, even though you are criticizing everything in your mind:

7. Knowing that there's always that one professor during juries:

8. The oh-so-attractive band/choir uniforms:

9. Realizing that a college campus is maybe not the best atmosphere to finish your latest composition:

10. Hearing "Oh, you sing opera? I LOVE Phantom of the Opera!" for the hundredth time:

11. When people think finals week is a breeze for you.

12. When you're drowning in the stress that comes with 18+ credits (and not to mention all those 0 credit classes) and people ask you how you are:

13. When it all comes down to it, though, you know that at the end of the day, music is your passion:

Because you need it in your life.

Trending Topics

Top Creators

Trending Stories

Best of Entertainment

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments

Subscribe to our
Newsletter

6. holds arm against your arm Look how much darker I am compared to you!

7. holds pale arm against another pale arm Aw, at least you're darker than her!

10. adjusts selfie lighting to their face Oops, where'd you go??

11. after working out Your face is SO red!

12. wears white Look! You're all one color!