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Reading lists

What book to read, based on your favourite rom-com

A list of the best YA books ever, from Malorie Blackman's Noughts & Crosses to Melvin Burgess' Junk

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The 10 greatest YA books ever written

Abridged Edition

Penguin Readers Level 5: Simon vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda (ELT Graded Reader)

Penguin Readers is an ELT graded reader series for learners of English as a foreign language. With carefully adapted text, new illustrations and language learning exercises, the print edition also includes instructions to access supporting material online. 
 
Titles include popular classics, exciting contemporary fiction, and thought-provoking non-fiction, introducing language learners to bestselling authors and compelling content. 
 
The eight levels of Penguin Readers follow the Common European Framework of Reference for language learning (CEFR). Exercises at the back of each Reader help language learners to practise grammar, vocabulary, and key exam skills. Before, during and after-reading questions test readers' story comprehension and develop vocabulary. 
 
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Exclusively with the print edition, readers can unlock online resources including a digital book, audio edition, lesson plans and answer keys. 
 
Simon is a young gay boy who is at High School in America. He meets Blue on the school's Tumblr, and they begin talking to each other. Simon knows that he is falling in love, but then another boy sees the emails and Simon has to come out.

Becky Albertalli is the bestselling author of the acclaimed novels Simon Vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda (released in 2018 as the smash hit film, Love, Simon), Leah on the Offbeat, and The Upside of Unrequited. She is a clinical psychologist who specializes in working with children and teens. Becky now lives with her family in Atlanta, where she spends her days writing fiction for young adults.

With carefully adapted text, new illustrations, language practise activities and additional online resources, the Penguin Readers series introduces language learners to bestselling authors and compelling content. Titles include popular classics, exciting contemporary fiction, and thought-provoking non-fiction. 
 
Simon vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda, a Level 5 Reader, is B1 in the CEFR framework. The text is made up of sentences with up to four clauses, introducing present perfect continuous, past perfect, reported speech and second conditional. It is well supported by illustrations, which appear regularly. 
 
Simon is a young gay boy who is at High School in America. He meets Blue on the school's Tumblr, and they begin talking to each other. Simon knows that he is falling in love, but then another boy sees the emails and Simon has to come out.

Kate in Waiting

From bestselling YA rom-com queen Becky Albertalli (author of Love, Simon) comes a new novel about daring to step out of the shadows and into the spotlight in love, life and theatre. 
 
 [PRINCIPAL CAST LIST] 
Kate Garfield 
Anderson Walker 
 
Best friends, and contrary to popular belief, not co-dependent. Examples: 
 
Carpooling to and from theatre rehearsals? Environmentally sound and efficient. 
Consulting each other on every single life decision? Basic good judgment. 
Pining for the same guys from afar? Shared crushes are more fun anyway. 
 
 But when Kate and Andy's latest long-distance crush shows up at their school, everything goes off-script. 
 
Enter Stage Left: Matt Olsson 
 
He is talented and sweet, and Kate likes him. She really likes him. The only problem? So does Anderson. 
 
 Turns out, communal crushes aren't so fun when real feelings are involved. This one might even bring the curtains down on Kate and Anderson's friendship... 
 
 Praise for Becky Albertalli: 
 
 'Heart-fluttering, honest and hilarious' - Stephanie Perkins, author of Anna and the French Kiss 
 
'Touching and passionate... completely lovable with bags of empathy' - The Observer 
 
'Wonderfully charismatic' - Bookseller 
 
'Stunningly three-dimensional' - Entertainment Weekly 
 
'Sharp and funny' - Publishers Weekly 
 
'Funny, moving and emotionally wise' - Kirkus Reviews 
 
'Timeless' - Teen Vogue

Albertalli has crafted a rom-com that's not only sharp and funny, but distinguished by its casually diverse LGBTQ cast's awareness that friendship (among friends, to be sure, but also siblings, and gasp, romantic interests) is as important as love

Real chemistry between the different love interests in the book, authentic dialogue, supportive friendships, and Albertalli's signature humor make this a must-read.  Flips the script on battling over a boy in the best way possible

Becky Albertalli is the author of the acclaimed novels Simon Vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda (released in 2018 as the smash hit film, Love, Simon), Leah on the Offbeat, and The Upside of Unrequited. She is a clinical psychologist who specializes in working with children and teens. Becky now lives with her family in Atlanta, where she spends her days writing fiction for young adults.

Contrary to popular belief, best friends Kate and Anderson are not codependent. Carpooling to and from theatre rehearsals? Environmentally sound and efficient. Consulting each other on every single life decision? Basic good judgment. Pining for the same guys from afar? Shared crushes are more fun anyway. 
 
But when Kate and Andy's latest long-distance crush shows up at their school, everything goes off-script. Matt is talented and sweet, and Kate likes him. She really likes him. The only problem? So does Anderson. 
 
Turns out, communal crushes aren't so fun when real feelings are involved. This one might even bring the curtains down on Kate and Anderson's friendship.

A Novella

Love, Creekwood

Love, Victor is now a major TV series on Dinsey+, set in the world of the hit film Love, Simon 
 
A gorgeously romantic new novella set in the world of Becky Albertalli's bestselling and beloved Simonverse novels: Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda, The Upside of Unrequited, and Leah on the Offbeat. 
 
It's been more than a year since Simon and Blue turned their anonymous online flirtation into an IRL relationship, and just a few months since Abby and Leah's unforgettable night at senior prom. 
 
Now the Creekwood High crew are first years at different colleges, navigating friendship and romance the way their story began - on email. 
 
The beloved, award-winning novel, SIMON VS THE HOMO SAPIENS AGENDA is now a major motion picture starring 13 Reasons Why's Katherine Langford and Everything, Everything's Nick Robinson. 
 
 
 
Praise for Becky Albertalli's SIMONverse novels: 
 
'Worthy of Fault in Our Stars-level obsession.' Entertainment Weekly 
 
'I love you, SIMON. I LOVE YOU! And I love this fresh, funny, live-out-loud book." Jennifer Niven, bestselling author of All the Bright Places, on Simon vs 
 
'I have such a crush on this book! Not only is this one a must read, but it's a must re-read.' Julie Murphy, New York Times bestselling author of Dumplin' 
 
'Heart-fluttering, honest, and hilarious. I can't stop hugging this book.' Stephanie Perkins, New York Times bestselling author of Anna and the French Kiss

Praise for Becky Albertalli's SIMONverse novel

Worthy of Fault in Our Stars-level obsession.

I love you, SIMON. I LOVE YOU! And I love this fresh, funny, live-out-loud book.

Jennifer Niven, bestselling author of All the Bright Places, on Simon vs

I have such a crush on this book! Not only is this onea must read, but it's a must re-read.

Julie Murphy, New York Times bestselling author of Dumplin'

Heart-fluttering, honest, and hilarious. I can't stop hugging this book.

Stephanie Perkins, New York Times bestselling author of Anna and the French Kiss

It's been more than a year since Simon and Blue turned their anonymous online flirtation into an IRL relationship, and just a few months since Abby and Leah's unforgettable night at senior prom. 
 
Now the Creekwood High crew are first years at different colleges, navigating friendship and romance the way their story began - on email.

Simon Vs The Homo Sapiens Agenda Official Film Tie-in

Love Simon

Love, Victor is now a major TV series on Dinsey+, set in the world of the hit film Love, Simon 
 
The beloved, award-winning novel is now a major motion picture starring 13 Reasons Why's Katherine Langford and Everything, Everything's Nick Robinson. 
 
---------- 
 
Straight people should have to come out too. And the more awkward it is, the better. 
 
Simon Spier is sixteen and trying to work out who he is - and what he's looking for. 
 
But when one of his emails to the very distracting Blue falls into the wrong hands, things get all kinds of complicated. 
 
Because, for Simon, falling for Blue is a big deal ... 
 
It's a holy freaking huge awesome deal. 
 
---------- 
 
Praise for Love, Simon: 
 
'Worthy of Fault in Our Stars-level obsession.' Entertainment Weekly 
 
'I love you, SIMON. I LOVE YOU! And I love this fresh, funny, live-out-loud book." Jennifer Niven, bestselling author of All the Bright Places

The love child of John Green and Rainbow Rowell

I love you, Simon. I love you! And I love this fresh, funny, live-out-loud book.

Jennifer Niven, New York Times bestselling author of ALL THE BRIGHT PLACES

Straight people should have to come out too. And the more awkward it is, the better. 
Simon Spier is sixteen and trying to work out who he is - and what he's looking for. But when one of his emails to the very distracting Blue falls into the wrong hands, things get all kinds of complicated. Because, for Simon, falling for Blue is a big deal . . . 
It's a holy freaking huge awesome deal.

The Upside of Unrequited

Love, Victor is now a major TV series on Dinsey+, set in the world of the hit film Love, Simon 
 
I don't entirely understand how anyone gets a boyfriend. Or a girlfriend. It just seems like the most impossible odds. A perfect alignment of feelings and circumstances . . . 
 
Molly Peskin-Suso knows all about unrequited love. No matter how many times her twin sister, Cassie, tells her to woman up, Molly is always careful. Better to be careful than be hurt. 
 
But when Cassie gets a new girlfriend who comes with a cute hipster-boy sidekick, everything changes. Will is funny, flirtatious and basically the perfect first boyfriend. 
 
There's only one problem: Molly's coworker, Reid: the awkward Tolkien superfan she could never fall for . . . right? 
 
A heartwarming and hilarious story about growing up and learning to be comfortable in your own skin. 
 
Praise for Becky Albertalli: 
'The love child of John Green and Rainbow Rowell' Teen Vogue 
 
'I love you, Simon. I love you! And I love this fresh, funny, live-out-loud book.' Jennifer Niven, New York Times bestselling author of All the Bright Places 
 
'A remarkable gift of a novel.' Andrew Smith, author of Grasshopper Jungle 
 
'Both hilarious and heartbreaking . . . Readers will fall madly in love with Simon' Publishers Weekly (starred review) 
 
'A brilliant beacon of optimism and cuteness for LGBTQA+ youth in a genre often bogged down with tragedy and heartbreak. Books like SIMON do change people's lives' Waterstones Darlington Bookseller 
 
'A wonderfully charismatic story about coming-of-age and coming out'. Bookseller 
 
'Funny, moving and emotionally wise' Kirkus Reviews (starred) 
 
'It made me laugh, cry and all the fifty shades of emotions I can think of right now. There is literally no adjectives that would be suffice to describe how brilliant this book is' Goodreads (5 star review) 
 
'I think I just felt my heart explode in my chest' Goodreads (5 star review) 
 
'One of the most electric, authentic characters I've ever read. . . I LOVE this book. LOVE it. Five freaking stars.' Goodreads (5 Stars) 
 
Becky Albertalli is the author of the acclaimed novels Simon Vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda and The Upside of Unrequited. She is a clinical psychologist who specializes in working with children and teens. Becky now lives with her family in Atlanta, where she spends her days writing fiction for young adults.

I have such a crush on this book! Not only is this one a must read, but it's a must-reread.

Julie Murphy, New York Times bestselling author of DUMPLIN'

Andrew Smith, author of GRASSHOPPER JUNGLE

Hilarious and heartbreaking . . . Readers will fall madly in love with Simon

Books like SIMON do change people's lives

A wonderfully charismatic story about coming-of-age and coming out

I think I just felt my heart explode in my chest

One of the most electric, authentic characters I've ever read. . . I LOVE this book. LOVE it. Five freaking stars.

Seventeen-year-old Molly Peskin-Suso knows all about unrequited love-she's lived through it twenty-six times. She crushes hard and crushes often, but always in secret. Because no matter how many times her twin sister, Cassie, tells her to woman up, Molly can't stomach the idea of rejection. So she's careful. Fat girls always have to be careful. 
 
Then a cute new girl enters Cassie's orbit, and for the first time ever, Molly's cynical twin is a lovesick mess. Meanwhile, Molly's totally not dying of loneliness-except for the part where she is. 
Luckily, Cassie's new girlfriend comes with a cute hipster-boy sidekick. Will is funny, flirtatious, and just might be perfect crush material. Maybe more than crush material. And if Molly can win him over, she'll get her first kiss and she'll get her twin back. 
 
There's only one problem: Molly's coworker, Reid. He's an awkward Tolkien superfan, and there's absolutely no way Molly could fall for him. Right?

Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda

Love, Victor is now a major TV series on Dinsey+, set in the world of the hit film Love, Simon 
 
The beloved, award-winning novel is now a major motion picture starring 13 Reasons Why's Katherine Langford and Everything, Everything's Nick Robinson. 
 
---------- 
 
Straight people should have to come out too. And the more awkward it is, the better. 
 
Simon Spier is sixteen and trying to work out who he is - and what he's looking for. 
 
But when one of his emails to the very distracting Blue falls into the wrong hands, things get all kinds of complicated. 
 
Because, for Simon, falling for Blue is a big deal ... 
 
It's a holy freaking huge awesome deal. 
 
---------- 
 
Praise for Simon vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda: 
 
'Worthy of Fault in Our Stars-level obsession.' Entertainment Weekly 
 
'I love you, SIMON. I LOVE YOU! And I love this fresh, funny, live-out-loud book." Jennifer Niven, bestselling author of All the Bright Places

Touching and passionate . . . Completely loveable, with bags of empathy

A radically tender debut . . Steal this from your teen

When books this powerful come along we must pay attention.

I devoured it in one sitting and absolutely adored it

Unforgettable . . . I almost cried because all the feelings it made me feel

The world needs this book, YOU need this book

Straight people should have to come out too. And the more awkward it is, the better. 
 
Simon Spier is sixteen and trying to work out who he is - and what he's looking for. 
 
But when one of his emails to the very distracting Blue falls into the wrong hands, things get all kinds of complicated. 
 
Because, for Simon, falling for Blue is a big deal . . . 
It's a holy freaking huge awesome deal.

Becky Albertalli

I love this fresh, funny, live-out-loud book.

Jennifer Niven, New York Times bestselling author of All the Bright Places

A remarkable gift of a novel.

Andrew Smith, author of Grasshopper Jungle

A brilliant beacon of optimism and cuteness for LGBTQA+ youth in a genre often bogged down with tragedy and heartbreak.  Books like SIMON do change people's lives

When it comes to drumming, Leah Burke is usually on beat - but real life isn't always so rhythmic. An anomaly in her friend group, she's the only child of a young, single mum, and her life is decidedly less privileged. And even though her mom knows she's bisexual, she hasn't mustered the courage to tell her friends - not even her openly gay BFF, Simon. 
 
With some messy dynamics emerging in this once tight-knit group of friends, senior year suddenly gets even more complicated for Leah, as she realises she's falling not for the guy who's taking her to prom, but for the girl who's dating her best friend.

Leah on the Offbeat

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Becky Albertalli

Praise for Leah on the Offbeat

I love this fresh, funny, live-out-loud book.

The love child of John Green and Rainbow Rowell

A remarkable gift of a novel.

I love this fresh, funny, live-out-loud book.

The love child of John Green and Rainbow Rowell

A remarkable gift of a novel.

I love this fresh, funny, live-out-loud book.

The love child of John Green and Rainbow Rowell

A remarkable gift of a novel.

Books by Becky Albertalli

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What book to read, based on your favourite rom-com

The 10 greatest YA books ever written

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