Leah on the Offbeat by Becky Albertalli
Leah on the Offbeat
Pros
- Sexuality is not the primary concern
- Complex and diverse characters
- Engaging and relatable story
Cons
- Self-doubt
- Questionable decisions
- Sometimes drawn out
Title: Leah on the Offbeat
Author: Becky Albertalli
Original Publication Date: 2018
Original Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Queer Representation: 1 bisexual protagonist
Page Length: 339
A charming tale of self-acceptance, love, and the end of high school.
Memorable Quote: “Imagine going about your day knowing someone’s carrying you in their mind. That has to be the best part of being in love—the feeling of having a home in someone else’s brain.”
Review:
In Simon Vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda, Leah played the role of the best friend and faithful sidekick, but now it is time for her to get her own story. Leah is sure of who she is — she was quick to embrace her bisexuality even if her mother is the only one she has told — but she struggles to find her place. In her circle of friends, she feels like the outcast and the exception. She is a talented drummer and artist, but only shares her drawings anonymously on Tumblr. Now, with the end of senior year quickly approaching, and prom fever in full swing, relationships are being tested and Leah seems to be at the center of it all.
While the events of junior year led to some of Leah’s friends forming new relationships, the pressure of a long distance relationship after graduation is putting a strain on a few of them. Meanwhile, Leah, expecting to be perpetually single, cannot see that Garrett is interested in her — even after he asks her to prom. Leah tries but cannot see Garrett as more than a friend, especially because Leah already has feelings for someone else, if only she wasn’t straight and in a relationship. Leah tries to suppress these feelings, but with romance in the air and prom rapidly approaching, who knows what will happen.
If Simon Vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda is a story about coming out and social acceptance, Leah on the Off Beat is a tale of overcoming social anxiety and self-acceptance. Readers will love the insight into their favorite characters from Simon, but this is certainly a story that can stand on its own. Albertalli’s depiction of Leah’s sexuality is honest and highly welcomed in a climate where bisexuality is more often addressed with confusion or dismissal. Leah’s sexuality is not an issue and not the cause of her anxieties. While Leah does have a lesson to learn by the end of her story, it is a lesson of self-esteem that must be learned by all teenagers regardless of their sexuality.
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