1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
=Saénz, Benjamin Alire. 2012. Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers. ISBN 978-1442408920
2. PLOT SUMMARY
A powerful story of two young Mexican American teenage boys and a year of self-discovery. Aristotle is a self-described loner who has never really had a close friend. Dante is an outgoing boy whose unique and powerful perspective captivates Aristotle’s usually introverted nature. As Dante begins to embrace his identification as a homosexual teenage male, Aristotle maintains his steadfast alliance to his best friend in spite of his own ambivalent, and sometimes discordant, thoughts.
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Benjamin Alire Saénz has written a young adult novel deserving of its many awards. This compelling story of Aristotle and Dante is an authentic story of adolescent awakening and self-acceptance. This may be due to Saénz' similar cultural background or if he may have experienced his own conflict in coming to terms with his sexual identity . While most of the story occurs in the late 1980’s in El Paso, TX, the story will resonate with current readers.
While many readers and reviewers will determine
that sexual awakening and LGBTQ discovery and acceptance is the primary storyline, more astute readers will
comprehend that this story revolves around love, hate, friendship, and family.
Aristotle’s willingness to protect Dante from any suffering at all costs is the
epitome of the battle between good and bad. More importantly, his continued
allegiance to Dante is one of the most compelling elements of the storyline.
One of the intriguing side narratives in the book is Dante’s unwillingness
to accept his Mexican American heritage. While he seems almost at ease
with his sexuality, he continually struggles with his racial and cultural
ancestry. This dichotomy of Dante’s self-acceptance is fascinating,
especially in light of his parents’ high level of education. Aristotle does not
seem to suffer from the same feelings of insecurity, but still struggles with
his brother’s imprisonment and his perception of being in a lower
socio-economic class than Dante.
This is one of the most powerful books available for teens at
this time, but its mature subject matter may limit it to readers over the
age of 13. However, it is important to note that this is not solely a
story of sexual awakening. This is a story of self-discovery and growth.
The acceptance of one’s sexual orientation is not the primary focus of the
book. This is a story about love and friendship, and how teenagers learn
to accept the essence of themselves.
4. REVIEW EXCERPTS
- School Library Journal Best Books of the Year Award - Won 2012
- Michael L. Printz Award - Nominated 2013
- American Library Association Notable Books for Children - Won 2013
- Pura Belpre Award - Won 2013
- Americas Award for Children's and Young Adult Literature - Commended
- Stonewall Book Award - Won 2013
- YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults - 2013
- Rainbow List - 2013
Starred Review from Publishers Weekly: "It’s a tender, honest exploration of identity and sexuality, and a passionate reminder that love—whether romantic or familial—should be open, free, and without shame."
Starred Review from Kirkus: "Meticulous pacing and finely nuanced characters underpin the author's gift for affecting prose that illuminates the struggles within relationships."
Review from Booklist: "This moves at a slower pace than many YA novels, but patient readers, and those struggling with their own sexuality, may find it to be a thought-provoking read."
Review from The Horn Book: "...poetic, philosophical, honest..."
Review from Library Media Connection: “Sáenz is a master at capturing the conversation of teens with each other and with the adults in their lives."
5. CONNECTIONS
*Other books written by Benjamin Alire Saénz:
Everything Begins and Ends at Kentucky Club. ISBN 978-1935955320
Last Night I Sang to the Monster. ISBN 978-1935955092
*Other chapter books with characters who are on a journey of discovery about their LGBTQ identity:
Green, John. Will Grayson, Will Grayson. ISBN 978-0142418475
Levithan, David. Two Boys Kissing. ISBN 978-0307931900
Levithan, David. Boy Meets Boy. ISBN 978-0375832994
Konigsberg. Bill. Openly Straight. ISBN 978-0545509893
*Benjamin Alire Saénz's faculty website at University of Texas El Paso
http://faculty.utep.edu/Default.aspx?alias=faculty.utep.edu/bsaenz
Green, John. Will Grayson, Will Grayson. ISBN 978-0142418475
Levithan, David. Two Boys Kissing. ISBN 978-0307931900
Levithan, David. Boy Meets Boy. ISBN 978-0375832994
Konigsberg. Bill. Openly Straight. ISBN 978-0545509893
*Benjamin Alire Saénz's faculty website at University of Texas El Paso
http://faculty.utep.edu/Default.aspx?alias=faculty.utep.edu/bsaenz