 First edition cover | |
| Author | Becky Albertalli |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Genre | Young Adult, Romance, Drama, LGBT, Coming Of Age |
| Publisher | Balzer + Bray |
Publication date | April 7, 2015 |
| Publication place | United States |
| Media type | Print (hardcover and paperback), e-book, audiobook |
| Pages | 303 |
| ISBN | 978-0062348678 |
| Followed by | Leah on the Offbeat |
Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda is a 2015 young adult novel[1] and the debut book by American author Becky Albertalli.[2] The coming-of-age story focuses on its titular protagonist Simon Spier, a closeted, gay, high school-aged boy who is forced to come out after a blackmailer discovers Simon's emails written to another closeted classmate with whom he has fallen in love.
Albertalli received the William C. Morris Award from the American Library Association, an annual honor for young adult literature,[3] as well as internationally the German Youth Literature Prize. The novel was also featured on the National Book Award Longlist and listed by the Wall Street Journal as one of the Best Young Adult novels in 2015.[4]
The name of the novel is a parody of the term "homosexual agenda", a pejorative phrase that is commonly used by opponents of gay rights in the United States. This is also a reference to a conversation between Simon and his email pen pal, in which they discuss how they believe everyone should have to come out, not just gay people, jokingly referencing the aforementioned phrase and how their own version would be "the Homo Sapiens Agenda", since it applies to everyone regardless of sexuality.
The book was adapted into a film titled Love, Simon, which was released by 20th Century Fox in the United States on March 16, 2018, and was met with critical and commercial success.
- ^ Monkou, Michelle (2015-03-31). "Must-read YAs: 'Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda' and more". Happy Ever After. Retrieved 2016-02-27.
- ^ Hannah, ShadowKissed (2015-09-01). "Simon Vs The Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli – review". The Guardian. Retrieved 2016-02-27.
- ^ Hetter, Katia (2016-01-11). "2016 Newbery, Caldecott awards honor best children's books". CNN. Retrieved 2018-02-04.
Baker, Jennifer (2016-01-11). "Top Youth Lit". Forbes. Retrieved 2018-02-04. - ^ "Best of the Best-of Lists". Wall Street Journal. 2015-12-08. Retrieved 2018-02-04.