Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda
Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda is a young adult romance novel that centers on Simon Spier, a closeted high school student. The story unfolds as Simon exchanges anonymous emails with another gay classmate, known only as "Blue," with whom he begins to fall in love. The narrative gains momentum when Simon's emails are discovered by a classmate, Martin, who blackmails him, threatening to expose his secret unless Simon helps him connect with one of his friends. This blackmail forces Simon to confront his fears about coming out and navigate the complexities of identity, friendship, and first love in a relatable high school setting. It explores themes of self-discovery, acceptance, and the importance of agency in one's own life, particularly regarding sexual identity. The book is generally regarded as a sweet and authentic coming-of-age story that resonates with a young adult audience. While it addresses significant issues such as homophobia and the challenges of coming out, it maintains a largely lighthearted tone with a positive resolution. The novel is known for its diverse cast of characters and its exploration of identity beyond just sexuality. It is designed for teenagers grappling with similar feelings or seeking stories of acceptance.
Concerns
LGBTQ & Gender Identity
HighThe book's central theme revolves around Simon Spier, a 16-year-old closeted gay male, navigating his sexual identity. He corresponds with an anonymous male classmate, Blue, who is also gay, and the plot is driven by the potential exposure of their identities. The narrative portrays the emotional journey of coming out and features other LGBTQ+ characters, such as Cal, who identifies as bisexual. The author, Becky Albertalli, is bisexual and a trans ally.
The protagonist, Simon Spier, is a closeted gay high school student whose secret email correspondence with another gay student, 'Blue,' forms the core of the story. The main conflict arises when Simon is blackmailed by Martin, who threatens to reveal Simon's sexual orientation to the entire school, forcing Simon to confront his fear of being outed. Additionally, a supporting character, Cal Price, comes out as bisexual to Simon, expressing a potential romantic interest.
Profanity
HighThe book contains frequent use of profanity, with sources describing it as 'foul language,' 'lots of swearing,' and 'extreme profanity.' This includes strong expletives, which contribute to a realistic portrayal of teenage dialogue but may be a concern for some parents.
A character uses the strong expletive 'holy fucking hell' when describing the taste of alcohol. Simon, the protagonist, internally uses the profanity 'quite a fucking morning' in reference to his impending coming out to his family.
Romance and Sexual Content
MediumThe story features romantic relationships between same-sex characters, including kissing and implied sexual activity. There are references to sexual topics and fantasies. While not explicitly graphic, some scenes describe intimate moments and physical arousal, suggesting a level of detail beyond mild flirtation.
The book includes a scene where Simon fantasizes about Blue, with the narrative implying masturbation by stating Simon's hand is 'busy.' Additionally, there is a scene depicting Simon kissing another boy in bed, where it is mentioned that both characters have erections, though they remain fully clothed.
Substance Use
MediumThe book features instances of underage alcohol consumption. Simon, the protagonist, drinks alcohol provided by a college student at a bar, leading to him becoming intoxicated and subsequently facing parental disciplinary action. This content is presented as a 'teen issue' within the story.
Simon's friends take him to a bar where he is bought several alcoholic drinks by a college student, resulting in Simon becoming 'very drunk.' Following this incident, Simon's parents discover his intoxication and punish him by grounding him and confiscating his phone.
Scary & Intense Content
MediumThe book features significant emotional intensity and suspense, primarily stemming from the blackmail plot and the protagonist's anxiety about being outed. Simon experiences considerable distress and fear regarding the exposure of his private life and sexual identity, and the pervasive homophobia, though not always explicit, adds to the tension.
Simon endures intense emotional pressure and anxiety due to the blackmail from Martin, who threatens to expose his secret emails and his identity as gay, creating a constant sense of dread throughout parts of the story. The inherent fear of 'coming out' and facing potential judgment or backlash from his peers and family is a central and emotionally intense aspect of Simon's character arc.
Disrespect & Rebellion
MediumThe book includes instances of mild disrespect and rebellious behavior typical of teenagers, such as Simon getting drunk underage and his father making inappropriate jokes. While parental figures are generally portrayed as loving, there are moments of friction and teenage defiance.
Simon engages in a rebellious act by consuming alcohol at a bar without his parents' knowledge or permission, leading to him becoming very drunk and facing disciplinary action from his parents, who ground him. Simon also grapples with his father's 'inappropriate jokes' related to sexuality, which Simon finds humiliating and struggles to address.
Violence
LowThe book contains no explicit physical violence, gore, or graphic depictions of harm. The conflict is primarily psychological and social, stemming from blackmail rather than physical altercations. While the threat of exposure creates distress, it does not manifest in physical violence.
The primary antagonistic action involves Martin's blackmail of Simon, threatening to make his private emails and gay identity public, which is a form of emotional and social coercion, not physical violence. The story does not feature any fight scenes, battles, or descriptions of physical injury to characters.
Witchcraft & Occult
LowNo elements of witchcraft, sorcery, occult practices, magic rituals, demons, spells, or supernatural themes are present in the book. The narrative is firmly rooted in contemporary realistic fiction.
The story strictly adheres to a realistic, contemporary setting without any mention or depiction of magical powers, occult symbols, or supernatural occurrences. There are no characters engaging in or discussing witchcraft or related practices.
Anti-Christian Themes
LowThe book does not explicitly contain anti-Christian themes, characters mocking Christian beliefs, or sacrilegious acts. While the title is a parody of the term 'homosexual agenda' often associated with religious opposition to gay rights, the narrative itself does not engage with religious content in a critical or mocking way.
The narrative focuses on contemporary high school life and personal identity, and there are no instances of characters criticizing, demeaning, or acting against Christian beliefs or symbols. The book's themes are secular, centering on a teenager's personal journey.
Other Notes
Target Demographic
Ages 14+ is recommended due to the central themes of LGBTQ+ identity and coming out, instances of underage drinking and its consequences, and the frequent use of moderate to strong profanity. While some sources suggest 12+, the emotional intensity of blackmail and the explicit nature of some romantic/sexual references make 14+ more appropriate for Christian parents seeking guidance.
Additional Notes
The book is part of the 'Simonverse,' which includes sequels like 'Leah on the Offbeat' and the novella 'Love, Creekwood.' These later installments continue to explore the lives and relationships of the characters, maintaining a similar tone and themes of identity and romance. While the initial book does not feature transgender or nonbinary characters, the author identifies as a trans ally. The story also touches on themes of racism and has a diverse cast.
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