Guy Pick: Aristotole and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe
by Benjamin Alire Saenz
Simon & Schuster
2012
368 pages

Blogger's Note: (Although I live in El Paso and the author is a local writer and professor, that is not the reason I read and reviewed the book. It sat on my shelf for about a month before I picked it up. The first chapter drew me in with its palpable teen angst and well-depicted teen characters Dante and Ari).

Poignant, deeply touching, and sensitive, this tender coming of age story centers around two fifteen year old boys: Dante and Ari. It's not easy being fifteen and it's not easy being different. Ari says, "I was fifteen. I was bored. I was miserable." Sounds familiar, right?

Dante and Ari share their dreams and fears, beautiful poetry, good books, and deep conversations. They know they're not like other boys. They are intellectual, thoughtful, and quiet; they are the "good" boys. They cry over a wounded bird. They don't run in a gang, or do drugs, or cause trouble.

Ari wrestles with his family's demons, too. His father is a Vietnam vet who never quite came home--at least not mentally. He's hard to get to know and doesn't talk about Vietnam--ever. Ari's older brother Bernardo is in prison, but it's another topic the family never discusses. Ari feels that his family has too many secrets and wishes someone--his mother or his father--would tell him about Bernardo or about why his dad is so broken.

Dante's father accepts a position in Chicago and the two friends are separated for a year but stay in touch through letters (it's 1987--pre-email era). Ari is happy to see Dante when he returns but a little wary, too.

When Dante gets jumped by a group of neighborhood thugs, Ari makes things right. Dante's parents confront (nicely confront) Ari about the boys' "relationship."

The secrets of the universe aptly describes the struggle both boys face with their questions: Who am I? Why am I the way I am? Am I normal? What is normal?

Their questions are answered and the family secrets are spilled. Love is not necessarily gender specific; love wears many faces and blossoms sometimes in unexpected ways.

Highly, highly recommended for grades 9-up. Mature situations, discussion of sexual topics, language, LGBT

FTC Required Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. I did not receive monetary compensation for this review.

Chick Pick: The Darlings Are Forever

The Darlings Are Forever
Melissa Kantor
Hyperion, 2011
352 pages

Three best friends since elementary school now face new challenges as they each venture off to a new high school in New York City. Victoria is the under-achiever in her family. Though brilliant in classes, Victoria is shy and unassuming--unlike her popular sister Emily who attends Princeton and is involved in their father's campaign to run for Congress. When popular kids focus on Victoria, she finds out they really don't want to be her friend, they just want to get closer to her father's campaign.

Then there's Jane who attends the School of Performing Art and dreams of the stage. Finally, there is Natalya, the daughter of immigrants from Moscow, Russia. Natalya's parents are working class and she is almost ashamed to be in a school where many of the students are quite wealthy.

Girls who love a friendship novel will like this read. There is drama when the girls attend a teen party and are caught by shutterbugs who post their pictures on Facebook. The girls argue and nearly lose their friendship, but then remember that "the Darlings are forever!"

Other reviews reommend grade 8 and up; however, I recommend grade 9-up. Condoms are mentioned and quite a lengthy description is given on how to put one on; also, an under-age drinking party is described.
No blatant sex or language.

FTC Required Disclaimer: I received the book from the publisher. I did not receive monetary compensation for this review.