Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz

This book exactly emulates the confusion and difficulties of being a teenager and has won two handfuls of awards as proof. The book cover is slathered with foiled awards.

Aristotle and Dante meet at the pool the summer before their junior year and become fast friends. Together they endure the trials of teenage-hood: injuries, long-distance friendship, sexuality, but their bond is not broken. Told from first person POV of Ari, the reader experiences the confusion and avoidance of emotional issues, along with growth and acceptance.

Ari’s growth from toxic masculinity teenager not wanting to cry or see any other man cry to beginning to accept and feel his big feelings was beautiful. Every adult in this book was a great roll model, even if they didn’t have their sh*t together, because there is nothing more real than that.

This beautiful novel is rife with imagery and Saenz perfectly described the west Texas thunderstorm. It transported me back to standing in the rain or the hail and letting it wash the sweat off me and the way the earth smelled fresh and clean for just a few hours.

This book was originally published in 2012 and just this month (Oct 2021) was a sequel published! Also, it has been optioned as a film! How lovely!

MUST READ! -Ford

This book is such a lovely exploration of what it’s like to be 16yo. It’s confusing and intense. There are things that you don’t understand. People you are drawn to and you don't know why or how to deal with those feelings. Your parents stop being a mystery and schoolwork fades into the background.

There is so much in this story. But mostly, these two boys are such a pure representation of teenagehood, self-discovery, and becoming the people I would love to meet. - Sky