80 pages • 2 hours read

Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda

Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2015

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Introduction

Before Reading

During Reading

After Reading

During Reading

Reading Questions & Paired Texts

Reading Check and Short Answer Questions on key points are designed for guided reading assignments, in-class review, formative assessment, quizzes, and more.

CHAPTERS 1-4

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Reading Check

1. Who is extorting Simon?

2. Who was Simon’s first “awakening” celebrity crush?

3. What show does Simon’s family discuss with Alice on a video call?

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Short Answer

Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.

1. What does Simon’s extorter want?

2. Why does dressing up as a superhero for Halloween appeal to Blue?

Paired Resource

“Where Did the Word 'Blackmail' Come From?”

This article describes the origins of the term “blackmail” and how it has changed over time.
The information in this resource connects to the theme of Mysterious Interior Lives.
Why is “blackmail” effective in certain situations? How does Simon react to the threat of being extorted?

CHAPTERS 5-9

Reading Check

1. What does Simon choose for his Halloween costume?

2. What candy do the boys email back and forth about?

3. Who does Simon think is Blue at this point?

Short Answer

Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.

1. Why is there tension between Abby and Leah?

2. What was the group’s football game tradition? Why does Leah become upset regarding this tradition?

CHAPTERS 10-14

Reading Check

1. Where does Simon’s email name come from?

2. To whom does Blue consider coming out first?

Short Answer

Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.

1. Why does Martin get offended at play practice when he overhears Simon and Abby’s conversation?

2. Why do Martin, Abby, and Simon go to Waffle House? At the end of that excursion, how does Simon feel about Martin, and why is this ironic?

3. Why doesn’t Blue come out to his father?

Paired Resource

Casanova

This short resource on historical allusions includes an entry on Casanova.
This information connects to the theme Reintroducing Yourself to the Universe.
Why does the book on Casanova discourage Blue from coming out to his father?

CHAPTERS 15-19

Reading Check

1. Who does Simon come out to first?

2. What does everyone wear to play practice over Christmas break?

3. What do Simon and Blue agree is the “default sexuality”?

4. Who first broaches the topic of meeting, Simon or Blue?

Short Answer

Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.

1. How did Blue’s coming out to his mother go?

2. Why is it harder for Simon to tell Nick/Leah about his sexuality?

3. How is Simon outed?

Paired Resource

“How Tumblr Became Popular for Being Obsolete”

The New Yorker offers this article on Tumblr as a social media platform, both past and present. (Subscription may be needed to view)
This information connects to the theme of Individual Coming-of-Age Experiences.
In what ways is the internet both a helpful and harmful resource to the LGBTQ+ community?

CHAPTERS 20-24

Reading Check

1. What nickname does Blue use for his future half sibling?

2. Who does Simon assume has a crush on Leah?

3. Who outed Simon?

Short Answer

Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.

1. Why isn’t Leah mad that Abby was the first to know Simon was gay?

2. How does Blue confirm that he knows Simon’s identity?

CHAPTERS 25-29

Reading Check

1. What is Cal’s sexuality?

2. What anonymous gift does Simon receive from Blue at school?

Short Answer

Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.

1. How do Simon and Blue show their frustration via email?

2. How do Abby and Nick attempt to cheer Simon up? What happens as a result?

3. Why is Leah upset at Simon?

Paired Resource

“Special Report on Small Business &LGBTQ+ Inclusion”

This article from the US Chamber of Congress discusses the importance of small business support of the LGBTQ+ community.
The information in this resource connects to the theme of Reintroducing Yourself to the Universe.
What main takeaways can you conclude after reading the statistics in the report?

CHAPTERS 30-35

Reading Check

1. What is on the note in the Elliott Smith shirt?

2. Who is Blue?

3. Who is the drummer for Leah’s band?

Short Answer

Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.

1. Why is Abby mad when she learns about Martin’s “blackmail” plan from Simon?

2. Why does Bram say he assumed Simon didn’t like him?

Recommended Next Reads

Leah of the Offbeat by Becky Albertalli

This sequel to Simon’s story follows his friend, Leah, who struggles with her sexual identity.
Shared themes include Mysterious Interior Lives, Reintroducing Yourself to the Universe, and Individual Coming-of-Age Experiences.
Shared topics include conflicts and challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community.

Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green and David Levithan

Two boys share a name and mysteriously meet one night after following their love for a boy named Isaac.
Shared themes include Reintroducing Yourself to the Universe, and Individual Coming-of-Age Experiences.
Shared topics include LGBTQ+ community and anticipated meetings.
Will Grayson, Will Grayson on SuperSummary

Reading Questions Answer Key

CHAPTERS 1-4

Reading Check

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4,700+ Quick-Read Plot Summaries
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1. Martin Addison (Chapter 1)

2. Daniel Radcliffe (Chapter 2)

3. The Bachelorette (Chapter 3)

Short Answer

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1. Martin has a crush on Abby, who is one of Simon’s friends. He wants to be introduced to Abby and would like Simon to help convince her to consider Martin as a romantic interest. (Chapter 1)

2. Blue likes the idea of a secret identity, which he points out is similar to their email situation. (Chapter 4)

CHAPTERS 5-9

Reading Check

1. A dementor (Chapter 5)

2. Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups (Chapter 6)

3. Cal (Chapters 5-9)

Short Answer

1. Leah has always had a crush on their friend Nick, and she feels like Abby is trespassing on her territory. She worries not only about Nick and Abby becoming romantically involved but also about the changes in their social circle and to their routine that would cause. (Chapters 5-9)

2. Leah, Nick, and Simon typically go to Waffle House instead of watching the school football games. Nick thinks they should attend the homecoming game, however, and Simon agrees (because he thinks Blue might attend); Leah is upset that they would casually break their tradition. (Chapter 7)

CHAPTERS 10-14

Reading Check

1. An Elliot Smith song (Chapter 12)

2. His father (Chapter 12)

Short Answer

1. Martin overhears Simon jokingly calling Abby a “stealth bitch” and becomes offended because he likes her so much. Martin doesn’t realize that it is a joke. (Chapter 11)

2. They go to practice their lines together. Simon is beginning to think that Martin isn’t that bad, which is ironic because Martin is the one extorting him. (Chapter 13)

3. Blue’s father gave Blue a book by Casanova (a man known for seducing a lot of women) as a gift. This discouraged Blue from coming out. (Chapter 14)

CHAPTERS 15-19

Reading Check

1. Abby (Chapter 15)

2. Pajamas (Chapter 17)

3. Straight/heterosexual (Chapter 18)

4. Simon (Chapter 18)

Short Answer

1. Blue says that his mother was calm and supportive. She indicated that she is mostly worried about Blue having safe sex. (Chapter 16)

2. Simon has known them longer and has more of a history with Nick and Leah; he does not want to jeopardize feeling like himself around them. (Chapter 17)

3. Someone pretends to be Simon and posts on the school’s Tumblr page. (Chapter 19)

CHAPTERS 20-24

Reading Check

1. Little Fetus (Chapter 22)

2. Bram (Chapter 23)

3. Martin (Chapter 21; implied in Chapter 19)

Short Answer

1. Leah explains that she doesn’t have a right to be mad about whom Simon chooses to tell or when. She is mostly concerned that Simon thought she would have a bad reaction. (Chapter 21)

2. Blue uses the French phrase “Jacques a dit,” which means “Simon Says.” (Chapter 24)

CHAPTERS 25-29

Reading Check

1. Bisexual (Chapter 25)

2. An Elliott Smith t-shirt (Chapter 27)

Short Answer

1. They remove the word “love” from their signature. (Chapters 25-29)

2. Abby and Nick take Simon downtown for the night. In Atlanta, they visit a restaurant that caters to gay customers, where a college student buys Simon an alcoholic drink and flirts with him. Simon’s parents are angry and upset that he is drunk when he arrives home; he loses his phone privileges and is grounded. (Chapter 28)

3. Leah wasn’t included in the Friday night trip to Atlanta and feels left out. (Chapter 29)

CHAPTERS 30-35

Reading Check

1. Blue’s phone number (Chapter 32)

2. Bram (Chapter 32)

3. Simon’s sister, Nora (Chapter 35)

Short Answer

1. Abby feels like she was being used. She didn’t have any feelings for Martin and was being manipulated by Simon. (Chapter 30)

2. Bram says that a person always sees what they want to see, and that Simon would have figured out his (Blue’s) identity if he (Simon) had any feelings toward Bram. (Chapter 32)