Skip to content

It's Lit Teaching

High School English and TPT Seller Resources

  • Home
  • Start Here
  • Blog Posts for Teaching English
    • Literature
    • Creative Writing
    • Grammar
    • Writing
    • Teachers Pay Teachers Tips
  • Shop My Teaching Resources!
  • Sell on TPT
  • About
  • Home
  • Start Here
  • Blog Posts for Teaching English
    • Literature
    • Creative Writing
    • Grammar
    • Writing
    • Teachers Pay Teachers Tips
  • Shop My Teaching Resources!
  • Sell on TPT
  • About
Lit Literature Reviews

Your Students Will be OBSESSED with this Novel!

Your Students Will be OBSESSED with this Novel!
Young Adult Novel for Students

Cute and a little bit dorky, Simon is the rare kind of protagonist that almost any reader can relate to. When he finds himself being blackmailed, he has to choose: risk coming out of the closet and dragging another with him, or go along with his blackmailer’s plan to land the girl? Not to mention the play is coming up, he’s in love with someone he doesn’t even know, and his friends all have their own problems, too. Your students will fall in love with Simon in Becky Albertalli’s young adult LGBTQ novel Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda. 

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links that earn me a small commission, at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products I personally use and love, or think my readers will find useful.

What Drew Me To Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda?

I was reluctant to pick up Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda. Everyone hyped up this novel and the movie had already come out by the time I got my hands on it. I felt like I was so late to the party that it wasn’t even worth showing up.

But I’m always looking to diversify my classroom library bookcase and my young adult LGBTQ selection is slim. So when First Book had this one on the cheap, I knew I would be letting my future students down if I didn’t give this novel a shot.  

What Makes Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda “lit”?

Easily the best part of Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda is the protagonist Simon. He is deep in the midst of teenage awkwardness in a way that is relatable and adorable. 

His thinking and thought processes definitely reminded me of what it was like to be a teenager, constantly second-guessing everything and always worried about others’ perceptions.

Simon’s friends also feel familiar. Maybe it’s because I, too, was a theater nerd, but everyone in this book reminded me of an old friend and old habits. Right down to their frequent trips to Waffle House–though my drama group and I had IHOP.

Relatable characters and situations are definitely a strength of this novel. So is the storytelling. While much of the story is told from Simon’s point-of-view, part of the story is also told through a series of e-mails. 

This does a great job of breaking up the narrative in a way that adds tension and makes us, the readers, feel like we, too, are carrying around a big secret.

Young Adult Novel for Students

Who’s the Ideal Reader for Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda?

Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda will be a great novel for any students you know who are LGBTQ. It deals a lot with the uncomfortableness of coming out and learning to re-identify yourself. 

When I was in high school, I had a lot of LGBT friends who, after coming out, devoured every book they could with characters who liked them. I wish I could go back in time and hand them this novel.

But Simon’s voice and his struggles are universal, too. Your artsy students will love seeing into the drama of his theater friends. Your quiet students will identify with that feeling of being “unknown” to those around them.

And, with the relatively low Lexile score, this book will be quite accessible to most of your high school students. I think for everyone going through puberty, there’s something in this novel for them. 

You may have some pushback from your more conservative students and their families may object to a book like this even being on your shelf. But really, we know that they need it most of all. 

If, for nothing else, put this one on your shelf to let your LGBTQ students know that you see them.

Young Adult Novel for Students

Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda: The Facts

Title: Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda

Author: Becky Albertalli

Lexile: HL640L

Genre: Realistic Fiction, Romance, LGBTQ

Setting: Present-day Georgia, outside of Atlanta; most of the story takes place in a high school or at Simon’s home

Main Character: Simon, a closeted teenage boy

Page Numbers: 336

If you’ve decided that you need Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens for your classroom, it is available on First Book at the time of this posting. Or you can order it from Amazon here.

If you want more LGBTQ novels for your high school classroom library, I Am J is a great novel for your trans students. Looking for other novels for your students? 

For even more recommendations, sign up to be on my mailing list below. You’ll receive a FREE copy of my must-have titles for your high school classroom library. Plus, I’ll send you updates as I discover and review even more titles!

Grab a FREE Copy of Must-Have Classroom Library Title!

Sign-up for a FREE copy of my must-have titles for your classroom library and regular updates to It’s Lit Teaching! Insiders get the scoop on new blog posts, teaching resources, and the occasional pep talk! 

Marketing Permissions

I just want to make sure you’re cool with the things I may send you!

I’ll send regular emails updating you on new content, plus an occasional bonus info with time sensitive info!

By clicking below to submit this form, you acknowledge that the information you provide will be processed in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

Thank you!

You have successfully joined our subscriber list.

.
SHARE THIS
About Heather

About Heather

I’m a full-time high school English teacher, caffeine addict, greyhound mom, and wife-to-be! Life keeps me busy but I LOVE helping other teachers!

Related Posts

Why You Need to Add Some MOXIE to Your Classroom Library
Why You Need to Add Some MOXIE to Your Classroom Library
This Is The Story about Immigration You Need In Your Classroom!
This Is The Story about Immigration You Need In Your Classroom!
3 Reasons Why You Need to Teach All American Boys
3 Reasons Why You Need to Teach All American Boys
5 Reasons to Add The Grace Year to Your Library
5 Reasons to Add The Grace Year to Your Library

Post navigation

Is Dear Martin the Right Novel for Your Class?
Want the Perfect Horror Novel for High School Readers?

Categories

  • Creative Writing
  • Grammar
  • Life Tips for Teachers
  • Lit Literature Reviews
  • Literature
  • Pedagogy and Teaching Strategies
  • Seasonal Teaching Ideas
  • Teachers Pay Teachers Tips
  • Uncategorized
  • Writing

Let’s Keep in Touch!

Meet me in The Lounge!

Signup for my newsletter The Lounge and be the first to hear about new teaching resources, blog posts, and oh, so much more!

Thank you!

You have successfully joined our subscriber list.

.

My Reading Picks!

Amazon Associates Disclosure

Heather Cianci is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com or myhabit.com.

Instagram

  • Home
  • Privacy Policy
  • Amazon Affiliate Disclosure
  • Shop It’s Lit Teaching Resources
Copyright © 2023 | All Rights Reserved | Site Designed by Little Theme Shop