Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe

By Benjamin Alire Saenz

6 ratings 6 reviews 11 followers
Interest LevelReading LevelReading A-ZATOSWord Count
Grades 7 - 12Grades 1 - 3n/a2.965500

A lyrical novel about family and friendship from critically acclaimed author Benjamin Alire Sáenz.

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.

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
ISBN-13: 9781442408937
ISBN-10: 1442408936
Published on 4/1/2014
Binding: Paperback
Number of pages: 368

Book Reviews (5)

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This book shows us the lives of two very different boys, Aristotle and Dante, and their friendship over 3 years that becomes maybe something more. Aristotle is quiet, and doesn't really like to try new things. Dante, however, is bubbly and never finds himself lacking things to say. I loved the dynamic of these two and how they really contrasted each other's personalities. Their relationship seemed very one-sided at first, with Dante leading most of their interactions, but Aristotle finds himself doing things he never imagined for Dante. Aristotle was a beautifully portrayed character, and we see that he is the way he is because he doesn't have a very solid relationship with his father, and his brother was put in prison when Aristotle was very young. I loved this book and I would definitely read it again.

This book was great! I think the author was a really good one, and the book was also very easy! Great book for teens.

I thought this was an amazing book! I gave it to my brother to read and he is reading it for the third time this week! This is a book about discovering yourself and it is written very well from the view of a teenager. Even though his brother is in jail, Aristotle finds happiness in Dante in hard times and protects him. Eventually he realizes he is in love with him. It is a story that I can really relate to and it is written like it actually happened.

This is an amazing book and it keeps you guessing until the very end because I didn't know what was going to happen until the last pages.

Aristotle feels that he will never discover who he is, while Dante knows exactly what his place in the world is. Aristotle is introverted and unsure, and Dante is self-assumed and gregarious. These two 15-year-olds are as different as night and day, but one fateful afternoon at the public pool could test their lives in unseen ways. Together, they open each other to the possibilities that life can bring, while trying to find their way through high school. Okay, so, this is probably the best book that I've ever read (YA-wise, is that a valid word?). I found this at my local independent bookstore a while ago, and I just picked it up and I read the first three chapters at the store. The plot is truly gripping, and it wouldn't let me go.

I agree with you complete whole way with the book... and it was a pretty good YA book... umm I don't think it's a legit word yet... but you're not the only one who says YA-wise(ME)... By the way nice review!!!