Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz
by Sam Arnold-Boyd on Aug.31, 2014, under Bullying, ORCA, Printz Award, Real life, Sam's Reviews
Who would like this book? Mature readers, ages 13 and up (language, content), who are looking for a moving story of friendship that explores family relationships and sexual identity.
The goods on this book: It’s 1987 and the summer is a hot one in El Paso, Texas. Ari, 15 and bored, narrates the complex and moving story of his friendship with Dante, a friendship that starts with Dante’s offer to teach Ari to swim and the discovery that Ari’s complete name is Angel Aristotle. Their friendship grows through the summer as they have fun reading old comic books and fooling around as they ride the bus all over town. As Ari’s story unfolds, it’s clear that he is haunted by his own insecurities and by secrets that are being kept by both his mom and his dad. These secrets begin to emerge when a significant event happens. Without wanting to give away too much, I can say that Ari makes discoveries that bring him from boyhood to manhood, from lonely and lost to loved and self-aware. Sáenz’s writing is for patient, mature readers who appreciate clear prose that brings the reader into Ari’s world. It’s a moving exploration of sexual identity and of the power of love in family and friendships.
This book is a Printz Honor Book, 2013, an ALA Best Book 2013 nominee, an ORCA 2015 nominee, and a 2015 Battle of the Book selection at the Senior High level.
The details: 359 pages; 2012 Review by Samrarian
