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Becky Albertalli facts for kids

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Becky Albertalli
Albertalli at YA Midwest on July 26, 2025
Albertalli at YA Midwest on July 26, 2025
Born Rebecca Goldstein
(1982-11-17) November 17, 1982 (age 42)
Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
Occupation
  • Novelist
  • former psychologist
Education
Period 2015–present
Genre
Notable works
  • Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda
  • Leah on the Offbeat
  • The Upside of Unrequited
  • Love, Creekwood
  • Kate In Waiting
  • Imogen, Obviously
  • Amelia, If Only
Notable awards
Spouse Brian Albertalli
Children 2

Rebecca Albertalli (born November 17, 1982), known as Becky Albertalli, is an American author. She writes books for young adults. Before becoming a writer, she worked as a psychologist.

She is famous for her first book, Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda, published in 2015. This book was made into a movie called Love, Simon in 2018. It also inspired a TV show, Love, Victor. Since then, Albertalli has written many more popular young adult novels.

About Becky Albertalli

Early Life and Education

Becky Albertalli grew up in the Atlanta metropolitan area in Georgia. She lived there with her sister Caroline and brother Sam. Today, she still lives in the same area with her husband, Brian, and their two sons, Owen and Henry. She was raised in a Reform Jewish family.

Albertalli went to Wesleyan University and studied psychology. Later, she moved to Washington, D.C. There, she earned her Doctor of Psychology degree from George Washington University.

Career as a Psychologist

As a psychologist, Becky Albertalli worked with teenagers. She specialized in helping young people who were part of the LGBTQ community. She also worked with children who were gender nonconforming. She continued working as a psychologist until 2012. That year, her first son was born. After that, she decided to try writing a novel. Albertalli has said that Australian author Jaclyn Moriarty inspired her to become a novelist.

Becoming a Novelist

On April 7, 2015, Becky Albertalli's first novel, Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda, was released. This book quickly became very popular.

A sequel to Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda was published in 2018. It was called Leah on the Offbeat. This book won the Goodreads Choice Award for Best Young Adult Fiction. In 2020, Albertalli released the third book in the series, Love, Creekwood. This book is like an "epilogue" to the story. Albertalli has given all the money from Love, Creekwood to The Trevor Project. This organization helps young LGBTQ people.

AOC holding Simon in House of Reps
U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez holding Albertalli's debut novel, Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda, in the United States House of Representatives

Other Books and Adaptations

Becky Albertalli has written other books too. These include The Upside of Unrequited. She also co-wrote the What If It's Us series with Adam Silvera. In 2018, the movie rights for What If It's Us were sold. In 2021, a UK company bought the film rights for The Upside of Unrequited.

In 2021, Albertalli released her novel Kate in Waiting. Her book Imogen, Obviously was published in 2023. This book became a New York Times best seller. It also received great reviews from many book critics. In 2024, Imogen, Obviously was recognized as a Stonewall Honor Book.

Personal Life

In August 2020, Becky Albertalli shared that she is bisexual. She explained this in an essay. She wanted to address people who had criticized her for writing about gay characters. She said that coming out was not to stop criticism of her books. She asked her critics to understand that careless words can cause real harm.

Film Adaptations

Some of Becky Albertalli's books have been made into movies.

Year Title Director Screenwriters Based on Ref.
2018 Love, Simon Greg Berlanti Isaac Aptaker, Elizabeth Berger Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda

Awards and Recognition

Becky Albertalli has won many awards for her writing.

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