Inclusive Lit- ARISTOTLE AND DANTE DISCOVER THE SECRETS OF THE UNIVERSE

Bibliographic Data

Sáenz, Benjamin Alire, and Chloë Foglia. 2012. Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe. New York: Simon & Schuster BFYR. ISBN: 9781442408920

Brief Plot Summary

Set in El Paso during the late 1980s sixteen year old Aristotle “Ari” Mendoza is a loner. His father is emotionally distant and suffers from PTSD, a result of the Vietnam War. His mother refuses to talk about why Ari’s older brother is in prison. Left alone with his thoughts Ari cannot understand why he is so angry. Then he meets Dante Quintana at the local pool, his first friend. As they grow closer their friendship is tested ultimately leading to discovering the secrets of their own universe.

Critical Analysis

The characters of this book represent several under represented groups of people making this an excellent read to promote diversity. Most of the characters are Mexican American. Ari is a sensitive boy. The story is also about the development of a romantic relationship between two teen boys.

Many of the cultural markers in this book are of Mexican Americans. Ari and his family as well as Dante and his family are Mexican American. Many other characters are also Mexican American like Gina Navarro and the Gomez brothers. Their last names are Hispanic: Gomez, Mendoza, Quintana, and Navarro. Aristotle’s first name is Angel, pronounced Ahn-hel. When Ari and Dante first meet the muse about their names. They also muse about the names of others like Dante’s aunt Soledad and how his family calls her cho-lay. Dante figures that shortening Soledad that way must be a Mexican thing.

Ari and Dante talk often about how Mexican they are. In doing so they display cultural markers of their physical appearance, language, etc. Ari says, “I was darker than he was” (2012, p. 20) when he first notices Dante. Dante is insecure in his “Mexican-ness” not only because of his lighter skin, but he does not speak Spanish like Ari does. Dante is far from the stereotypes of Mexicans and it unfortunately causes him to feel like he does not identify with them. He thinks that other Mexicans do not like him. The text is dialogue heavy, but is not loaded with stereotypical Mexican dialect. Ari and Dante are very deep teens. They discuss thoughts and feelings. They are emotional people, even though Ari does not always express it.

Ari is a non-stereotypical sensitive boy. He is actually very typically masculine. Saenz describes his handsome features. Ari loves cars, especially his new chromed truck. He instigates fights and beats other men up. Ari works out too. However he is truly a sensitive boy. He keeps a journal. Even though he does not always verbalize his emotions to other characters he does to the reader. He speculates about his dreams and what love is. He also feels sorry for himself, “Feeling sorry for myself was an art. I think a part of me liked doing that” (2012, p.13). One of Ari’s favorite things to do was drive out to the desert and just think. He said that he liked listening to what his mother thought (2012, p. 92). Despite his father’s distance he called himself sentimental for wearing and loving his dad’s old shirt. Ari even admits his feelings for Dante early in the book although he may not know to what extend he meant his words, “I really liked him. I really, really, liked him” (2012, p. 35).

Although the characters are of the same background they are all individuals and are represented as very different people. This is an excellent, accurate, and respectful way to portray members of any minority group. Their personalities vary. No one is stereotyped. I highly recommend this book for anyone ready to enjoy a beautiful love story between two teen boys. The characters are multi-dimensional, Mexican American teens and their story is a beautiful and emotional depiction of their relationship.

Awards & Best Books

Michael L. Printz Award, 2013 Honor Book United States

Pura Belpre Award, 2013 Winner Author United States

Stonewall Book Award, 2013 Winner Children's and Young Adult Literature United States

Best Audiobooks, 2013 AudioFile ; Best Books

Choices, 2013 Cooperative Children's Book Center

Kirkus Book Review Stars, May 1, 2012

Publishers Weekly Book Review Stars, December 19, 2011 Cahners

Rainbow List, 2013 American Library Association

School Library Journal Best Books, 2012

School Library Journal Book Review Stars, February 2012 Cahners

YALSA Best Books for Young Adults, 2013 American Library Association

YALSA Top Ten Best Books for Young Adults, 2013 ; Top Ten

Review Excerpt(s)

“Written with patient and lyrical prose that explores the boys' emotional lives with butterfly-wing delicacy.” - Karen Coats (The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, March 2012 (Vol. 65, No. 7))

“And that's exactly what Saenz does he treats his characters carefully, giving them space and time to find their place in the world, and to find each other.”

- Ann Kelley (Booklist, Jan. 1, 2012 (Vol. 108, No. 9))

“Ultimately, Saenz has written the greater love story, for his is the story of loving one's self, of love between parents and children, and of the love that builds communities, in addition to the deepening love between two friends.”

- Joanna Lima (VOYA, February 2012 (Vol. 34, No. 6))

Connections

Similar authors: Alex Sanchez and David Levithan

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