Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda

Starred review from February 9, 2015
After a “goobery nerd” named Martin discovers Georgia teen Simon Spier’s secret email relationship with a boy who calls himself “Blue,” Martin blackmails Simon into helping him romance Abby, a new girl who has been welcomed into Simon’s lunchroom clique. The threat of being outed by Martin forces Simon to come to terms with his sexuality, and his wise insights—Why do only gay people have to come out? Why is that the default?—add heft to a plot that is both hilarious and heartbreaking. Debut novelist Albertalli writes believably in the voice of a confused, openhearted 16-year-old. The large cast of companionable and well-developed characters contains a heroic drama teacher and Simon’s embarrassing but well-meaning parents. Page-turning tension comes from the anonymous quality of Simon’s emails with Blue, which are interspersed with chapters written in Simon’s first-person voice that chronicle Simon’s increasing frustration with Blue’s reluctance to divulge his identity, as well as the deepening nature of the boys’ relationship. Blue may hesitate, but readers will fall madly in love with Simon. Ages 14–up. Agent: Brooks Sherman, Bent Agency.

Narrator Michael Crouch projects both vulnerability and verve in 16-year-old Simon Spier's voice as he copes with being blackmailed over his sexuality. At the same time, he slowly falls in love with an unknown classmate through email. With obvious respect for the character, Crouch smoothly navigates Simon's shifts from wry self-deprecation to unbridled anger at his situation and to complete candidness in his earnest confessions to his unknown crush. Even though listeners will instantly connect with the personable Simon, they may also find themselves pitying Simon's blackmailer as Crouch voices him as more pathetic than cruel. This twist adds nuance to Albertalli's refreshing novel. E.M.C. © AudioFile 2015, Portland, Maine