Author: Becky Albertalli
Genre: YA
Reviewed by: Aoife Kerr
Branch: Leixlip Library
Sixteen-year-old and not so openly gay Simon Spier prefers to save his drama for the school musical. But when an email falls into the wrong hands, his secret is at risk of being thrust into the spotlight. Now Simon is actually being blackmailed: if he doesn’t play wingman for class clown Marti, his sexual identity will become everyone’s business. Worse, the privacy of Blue, the pen name of the boy he’s been emailing, will be compromised. With some messy dynamics emerging in his once tight knit group of friends, and his email correspondence with Blue growing more flirtatious every day, Simon’s junior year has suddenly gotten all kinds of complicated. Now, change adverse Simon has to find a way to step out of his comfort zone before he’s pushed out- without alienating his friends, comprising himself or fumbling a shot at happiness with a guy he’s never met.
So I do believe that this is one book that everyone, no matter their age, should read. It is an engaging, thoughtful book and makes you remember that being a teenager can be really difficult. Trying to figure out who you are and what you want to do in life can be hard enough without having to deal with pressures placed upon you due to your sexuality. It also an important story about growing up and falling in love. It is so well written that you really want to know what happens next.
Available to borrow on Bolinda Borrowbox in ebook format. Prefer a physical copy ? Feel free to request online from your local library here or make an appointment to visit your library here.
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