The Pura Belpré Award Winner - Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz.

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz.

                                      
Summary: Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe is the story of two 15-year-old boys growing up in El Paso, Texas in the 1980’s. The story revolves around Aristotle "Ari" Mendoza and Dante Quintana who meet at the pool one hot summer day.  The two boys are very quiet opposite in character. Ari is a loner who has never really had a friend, he is uncomfortable with sharing his feelings.  He represses his anger against not knowing what happened to his older brother. His father refuses to discuss the past, especially his time in the Vietnam War.  Dante is talkative more open about his feelings.  Dante’s father is a University professor and very affectionate.  As Ari and Dante get to know each other, Dante introduces Ari to poetry, reading, and many other things.  When Ari saves Dante’s life one evening during a rain storm both of his legs are broken drawing the two families together.  The following year, Dante’s father takes an assignment in Chicago for a year, and their friendship continues through letters. Dante writes to Ari about his explorations into drug use, and relationships with other boys.  When Dante returns to El Paso he is attacked by other boys for being gay.  Ari retaliates in anger.  That is when his parents finally open up about his brother’s imprisonment due to murdering a man in rage.  This is a turning point in Ari’s life as his relationship becomes more open with his parents.  They are aware of his feelings for Dante.  Ultimately, Dante comes to terms with his sexuality as the two boys develop their relationship beyond friendship. This book has won numerous awards including the Stonewall Book Award (2013), Printz Honor (2013), YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults (Top Ten) (2013), Pura Belpre Author Award (2013)

My Perspective: Benjamin Alire Saenz approaches the subject of homosexuality through a carefully paced narrative.  He takes his time developing the characters.  The novel is told through Ari who struggles with his expressing his feelings. As Coats points out,” readers may note that Ari’s character never really overcomes his main problem.”  (Coats, 2012, p.370). His life was someone else’s idea not his own.  I believe this won the award for the themes that the two main characters struggled with, issues that many teenagers are facing.  It is one of those books that may help some teens reconcile with their own sexuality, identity, and family problems.  I know that this book has received high praise for its dealing with LGBT themes, but having grown up Latina near El Paso in the same time period, I feel that Ari’s ex-marine father would not be so open to his gay lifestyle.  I understand that books do not want to stereotype the Mexican culture as macho, but I think it would weigh into Ari’s decision of his feelings for Dante.  He may ultimately still make the same decision, but I felt that aspect was missing.  I thought it would be more believable if that other layer of culture and struggle in this decision was added. 

Library Application: This would be a good book for a book talk that introduces books that present LGBT issues. 

References:   
Coats, K. (2012). Aristotle and Dante discover the secrets of the universe. Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, 65(7), 370-371. Retrieved from https://libproxy.library.unt.edu/login?url=https://libproxy.library.unt.edu:2165/docview/1000455808?accountid=7113


Sáenz, B.A. (2011). Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe. New York: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

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