Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe

Two boys grow up and into themselves in the stunning, multi-award winning novel "Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe" by Benjamin Alire Saenz. The year is 1987. Aristotle "Ari" Mendoza is angry. His older brother is in prison, treated like an unspeakable secret by his mother and father. His father is full of silent pain, a ghost in their house full of post traumatic stress from the Vietnam War. On a summer afternoon at the pool, he meets Dante Quintana, a boy like nobody else he's ever known before. Dante is sensitive, an artist. He cries about dead birds and kisses his father on the cheek when he comes home. He struggles with his Mexican identity while Ari thrives in it. Over the course of a year that includes swimming, accidents, letters, and self discovery, the novel follows Dante and Ari's leap from childhood into adulthood and what it means for their relationship as it becomes more frightening and complex for the both of them. (Especially Ari.) 

"Secrets of the Universe" is written in very simple and sparse prose that allows the reader to fill in the blanks. So many conversations are full of powerful, heartbreaking subtext. Saenz is a master of showing, not telling in such unique, lyrical prose. I couldn't put it down. I loved that the story was about so much more than just Dante and Ari's relationship. It was about Ari's relationship with his father, his mother, and his older brother. Each relationship is explored fully and individually. Ari's anger is real and three dimensional. Even though his denial is frustrating at times, it's honest and understandable. When you put yourself in his shoes, you can see why he is so afraid of himself. Dante's ease with who he is is a lovely contrast to Ari's fear. He knows who he is, and he;s accepted it, but that acceptance causes him a different kind of pain. 

This gorgeous book is a wonderful example of why diversity is so important in YA literature. Here we have a beautiful, romantic story about two Mexican-American boys dealing with their sexuality in 1987 El Paso, Texas. It's relatable and beautiful. Discover the universe with Aristotle and Dante. You might just find all the answers in the hands of the one you love.