Simplify the following text for a Grade 8 native English-speaking person.
Original: The Virginia Opossum was the first animal to be named an opossum : the word comes from the Algonquian language , and means `` white beast '' .
Simplified: The Virginia Opossum was the first animal to be named an opossum ; usage of the name was published in 1610 . The word opossum comes from the Algonquian aposoum , meaning `` white beast '' .