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Simon vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda

     

Simon vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda is a coming of age story that depicts the complex and ever-changing dynamics among high school students and family members. The main character is Simon, a seventeen year old junior who has an ongoing friendly and flirtatious email relationship with another unidentified male student at the school (Blue). Though sure of his sexual identity as gay, Simon is unsure of what the response will be of those around him – his friends, his family, and his classmates. If he “comes out”, will he be known as Simon who has made a lifestyle choice, or as a lifestyle choice that happens to have a name of Simon? The timing and choice are taken out of Simon’s control when a classmate uses a screenshot of an email posting between Simon and Blue to blackmail Simon. As Simon’s sexual identity is revealed through personal conservations and social media posts, Simon experiences rejection, ridicule, acceptance and compassion from the most likely – and unlikely sources. The story concludes as the next chapter in Simon’s life begins – a love story with Bram and plans to continue the conversation of being true to yourself. After all, “I like no endings. I like things that don’t end.” (p. 302).

       In her debut novel, Becky Albertalli writes a realistic fiction story that transports the reader to virtually any high school in our country. Through a mixture of email transcripts and narrative, we experience the struggles of being accepted for who you are – especially when that is considered outside the “norm.” She challenges the status quo, as Simon says, “As a side note, don’t you think everyone should have to come out? Why is straight the default? Everyone should have to declare one way or another, and it should be this big awkward thing whether you’re straight, gay, bi, or whatever. I’m just saying.” (p. 146).  Friendship, self-identity, the impact of social media, and the choices we make when placed in a difficult position are all themes explored in this novel. We are reminded that individual lives and relationships are complicated, and “people really are like houses with vast rooms and tiny windows. And maybe it’s a good thing, the way we never stop surprising each other.” (p. 293). This book is recommended for high school age students, but could be introduced at the end of middle school. 

Bibliography: 
Albertalli, B. (2015). Simon vs the homo sapiens agenda, New York, NY: Harper Collins.

Want to know more about this author? Visit www.beckyalbertalli.com/

Resources for gay, lesbian, transgender and bisexual youth:

http://www.advocatesforyouth.org/publications/publications-a-z/727-resources-for-gay-lesbian-bisexual-and-transgender-youth-select-organizations-web-sites-videos

http://www.safeschoolscoalition.org/

http://changingminds.org/explanations/values/values_morals_ethics.htm

Teaching Resources and other LGBTQ books (all levels):

https://www.commonsensemedia.org/lists/lgbtq-books

http://www.theguardian.com/childrens-books-site/2014/may/12/lgbt-books-week-childrens-books-teenagers-ya