Leah on the Offbeat

Reviewed by: Sarah Cropley - Scarborough Public Library, Scarborough, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: July 3, 2018

Review

Albertalli continues her reign with Leah on the Offbeat, a semi-sequel to her previous Simon vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda (winner of the William C. Morris YA Debut Award), which was recently turned into a movie under the title Love, Simon. Leah on the Offbeat picks up near where Simon left off, with Leah and her friends on the verge of senior year. Leah struggles with her confidence as her friend group shifts around her. Though she projects a sarcastic and self-assured nature--Slytherin to the bone--Leah feels unsure and unworthy of everything. She doesn't know how to share she's bisexual, even to her best friend, Simon, who is gay. She doesn't think her art is any good, doesn't know how to handle potential crushes that she may have. Albertalli renders Leah beautifully--her fears will speak to many teen readers as she and her peers navigate the space between being high schoolers and college students. Leah on the Offbeat feels worthy of the mantle left by Simon, a perfect story for any teen and a necessary story for queer ones. Leah finds hope, strength, joy, and surety; the reader will, too.

Overall Book Score: excellent