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Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda: Summary

Everything you need to know about Becky Albertalli's Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda, in 1 paragraph.
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A reader enjoying Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli
Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda is a novel about 16-year-old Simon Spier, a high school student who has been emailing another anonymous classmate online for months. When his secret emails are discovered by a classmate who threatens to out him to the whole school if he doesn’t help him get with a girl, Simon must find a way to protect himself and his secret crush Blue. As he navigates the two relationships while trying to stay true to himself and figure out who Blue really is, Simon discovers how far he’s willing to go to live life authentically.

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What is Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda about?

Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda is a young-adult novel by Becky Albertalli that deals with themes of coming of age, self-acceptance, and identity. The book follows the story of Simon Spier, a closeted gay high school student who is struggling to come to terms with his sexuality and share it with those closest to him. Throughout the book, Simon learns to accept himself and be proud of who he is. Additionally, Simon must confront issues of trust and betrayal as he navigates through his relationships with friends, family, and potential romantic partners. The book also touches on topics such as bullying, peer pressure, and homophobia.

Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda: Book Club Questions

  1. What is the theme of Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda?
  2. What do you think about Simon's struggle with his identity?
  3. How does Blue's identity complicate Simon's journey?
  4. Are Simon and Blue's parents portrayed positively or negatively in the novel?
  5. How does Simon balance his friendships and relationships with family?
  6. What was your opinion of the ending of the novel?
  7. How did the novel make you think differently about identity and privacy?
  8. How did Blue and Simon's relationship evolve throughout the story?
  9. Do you think there is a larger message to take away from the novel?
  10. Is there anything you would have changed or added to the novel?

What to say about Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda

  • The novel is a heartwarming story of self-discovery and acceptance, with a unique and compelling voice.
  • The characters in the book are well-developed and relatable, making it easy to sympathize with them.
  • I particularly enjoyed the way the author managed to explore complex themes like sexuality, identity, and family in a lighthearted yet meaningful way.
  • Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda showcases the power of friendship and how it can provide strength during difficult times.
  • I thought that the themes of love, understanding, and acceptance were incredibly powerful in this novel.
  • The story manages to deal with serious topics while still maintaining a sense of humor throughout.
  • The romance between Simon and Blue was so touching - it really captured the optimism of young love.
  • It was interesting to see how Simon's relationships with his friends and family changed throughout the book.
  • This book is an excellent example of how coming out can be both frightening and liberating at the same time.
  • Overall, I found Simon vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda to be an engaging and thoughtful read.

Top 5 Quotes from Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda

  1. "Sometimes I think that the only way to survive in this world is to become a little bit hard, a little bit tough. But then I remember that's not true. It's okay to be soft, it's okay to be scared."
  2. "Sometimes you just want someone to hold you and tell you everything will turn out okay. It's not such a bad thing."
  3. "It takes courage to push yourself to places you have never been before, to test your limits, to break through barriers. And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom."
  4. "If people were rain, I was drizzle and she was a hurricane."
  5. "Maybe we can't solve all our problems. But we can try our best and that's enough."

Adaptations of Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda

1. Love, Simon (2018) – This is a major motion picture adaptation of the book, starring Nick Robinson and directed by Greg Berlanti. 2. "Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda" (2019) – This is a short film adaptation of the book, starring Aiden Alexander and directed by Isaac Rentz. 3. The Playlist: Simon Vs The Homo Sapiens Agenda (2019) – This is a podcast adaptation of the book, hosted by Andrew Gruttadaro and featuring interviews with authors Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera. 4. Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda (2020) – This is a radio play adaptation of the book, produced by BBC Radio 4 and adapted by Ellen Dryden.

Other books by Becky Albertalli

  • The Upside of Unrequited
  • Leah on the Offbeat

Did you know?

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Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda was the first young adult novel with a gay protagonist to be released by a major publisher.