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

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe (Aristotle and Dante)

by Benjamin Alire Saenz

This Printz Honor Book is a “tender, honest exploration of identity” (Publishers Weekly) that distills lyrical truths about family and friendship.

Aristotle is an angry teen with a brother in prison. Dante is a know-it-all who has an unusual way of looking at the world. When the two meet at the swimming pool, they seem to have nothing in common. But as the loners start spending time together, they discover that they share a special friendship—the kind that changes lives and lasts a lifetime. And it is through this friendship that Ari and Dante will learn the most important truths about themselves and the kind of people they want to be.

Reviewed by Steph L on

5 of 5 stars

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I really liked this book from the start, I have not heard of this book before and it was for allbookedupclub in March. I would not have picked up this book, if I saw it I might have but I would not have sought out to find this book. I really loved how the two boys met, and how it seemed like it was kind of an accident, but it was more like fate that the two of them met. They both got along so well, and it seemed like they were each other’s first real friends that they could trust. I think that the boys met at a time in their lives when they really needed each other the most, and when they just needed someone that they could talk to about things. I think that the two boys bring out the bets qualifies in each other, and this wouldn’t have happened if they hadn’t met the one day at the pool. They talk to each other in a way that they feel like they couldn’t talk to other people, and they open up to each other. When Dante is going to leave to a year, I think that Ari feels sad he will not voice this because I feel that he does not talk about his emotions. Ari saves Dante’s life, and I think that he might not have done that if someone else was in the same situation. I feel that after the accident Ari is happy, and he is starting to open up to other people. I think that Ari is not sure if he is going to write to Dante because he is not the best with emotions or feelings. I feel that the book had a happy ending when Dante and Ari were reunited, and I feel that this was the best way to end the story them continuing on life’s journey together.

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 14 March, 2016: Finished reading
  • 14 March, 2016: Reviewed