Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe

Saenz, Benjamin Alire. Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe. Bradbury Press, New York, 1970. 312 pages.  Tr. $16.99 ISBN 9780803736702

Plot Description:

In 1987 in Texas, Aristotle or Ari, as he likes to be called, is a lonely 15 years old until he meets Dante at the pool one summer.  Dante does not have a lot of friends either and the two immediately bond and become best friends, a friendship that is further strengthened when Ari saves Dante from being hit by a car.  But then Dante and his family move away for a year when Dante’s father takes a position guest lecturing at a university in Chicago.  It is while in Chicago that Dante realizes he is gay and comes out to Ari and tells Ari he is in love with him.  Ari says Dante is still his best friend but that he is not in love with Dante.  When Dante returns to Texas the two resume their friendship despite Dante’s sexuality.  Ari is exploring his own sexuality dating girl while Dante dates other boys discreetly, that is until a group of boys see Dante kissing another boy and beat him up.  Ari is furious that anyone would do this to his best friend and learn a lot about and with the help of his parents Ari is able to come to terms with the various emotions he is feeling about Dante, Dante’s attackers, and himself. 

Review:

I thought long and hard about whether I would give this book to a tween reader.  The message of tolerance and self-acceptance is a very important one and Saenz’s writing is beautiful.  While some of the content is very mature, such as the hate crime committed against Dante and why Ari’s brother is in prison, I felt that there is an audience for this book in middle school.  A child who is struggling with their sexuality will find much to relate to in both Dante and Ari.  Dante is more ready to accept that he is gay, but because he is gay he feels like he is not really Mexican and does not feel like he fits in with his Mexican relatives.  Ari has a harder time accepting his sexuality, even though it is clear to everyone in his life, he needs his parents to tell him that they love him regardless to find the courage to finally come out.  Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe is one of the best books I have read this year and is clearly a deserving winner of the Printz Award.

Genre:

Historical Fiction

Realistic Fiction

GLBTQ

Reading Level/Interest Level:

Grades 7 and up

Similar Books:

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie

Awards/Honors:

Printz Award Honor Book 2013

Pura Belpre Award Winner 2013

Stonewall Book Award Winner 2013