Reviewed by Shelly Wen
Review Source: Teaching for Change
Book Author: Benjamin Alire Saenz
In this YA book, auithor Benjamin Alire Saenz focuses on the relationship between two Latino boys, Dante and Aristotle. Their friendship begins at the pool, where Dante teaches Aristotle, or Ari, how to swim. The two lead different lives, with Dante as a confident son of professors and Ari as a shy boy from a modest background and a brother in prison. As the two boys get closer, Saenz not only portrays a multitude of positive forms of masculinity, but also positive relationships between boys as they transition into young men.
Between a couple of traumatic accidents, lots of letters, a reunion, and coming-out story, Saenz is able to explore issues of authenticity, LGBT relationships, and family.
Kirkus Reviews, starred review: “Meticulous pacing and finely nuanced characters underpin the author’s gift for affecting prose that illuminates the struggles within relationships.”
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz
Published by Simon and Schuster on February 21st 2012
Genres: Family, Friendship
Pages: 359
Reading Level: High School
ISBN: 9781442408920
Review Source: Teaching for Change
Buy at Powell's Books
Publisher's synopsis: A lyrical novel about family and friendship from critically acclaimed author Benjamin Alire Sáenz. Aristotle is an angry teen with a brother in prison. Dante is a know-it-all who has an unusual way of looking at the world. When the two meet at the swimming pool, they seem to have nothing in common. But as the loners start spending time together, they discover that they share a special friendship—the kind that changes lives and lasts a lifetime. And it is through this friendship that Ari and Dante will learn the most important truths about themselves and the kind of people they want to be.
Leave a Reply