Leah on the Offbeat

???Am I the worst person???? ???Well, no,??? says Simon. ???That would be Voldemort.??? ???But I???m close, right? Like, Voldemort is here.??? I level my hand up, almost to the roof of the car. ???And I???m here.??? I drop my hand a few inches. ???And then the next worst guy is down here. Like, the dentist who killed that lion. He???s right here.???

Becky Albertalli is one of the best YA writers today – fight me!

She consistently writes diverse, funny, relatable character, and she did it again. I'm not sure any book will beat “Simon” in my heart, but I think I had more laugh out loud moments this time around.

When I say she writes diverse characters, I mean she does it in this wonderful this-is-the-world-today way that seems so natural and right, and I'm a sucker for it.

If you like her previous books, I don't see how you wouldn't like this one, with all the familiar characters, the poignancy of realizing their group is about to break apart as they head to different schools, the confusion of first love, the funny moments – like where they ate dinner prom night – and even a plot about the courage to call out a friend for being racist and not letting anyone convince you it's not a big deal.