Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe

I liked but did not love this book, which is okay, because I'm not the intended audience of this book. I think that LGBT/questioning teens would love this, especially boys. Especially boys who don't fit the stereotypical “flamboyant sassy friend” role (and God knows I love a book with a sassy gay friend). Dante and Aristotle are also both Mexican American with 2 very different families, but Saenz also beautifully shows the intersectionality of race/class/culture/religion/sexuality and both families are still totally supportive and loving toward their gay sons.

HOORAY FOR THAT.

I am a little over the trend of YA books set in the 80s, but I'll give this a pass because growing up as a queer teen in the 80s was different from now–in terms of available pop culture/role models/etc–and I think it works with this narrative. Also it wasn't constantly making references to Madonna or whatever. It was pretty easy to forget it was set in the 80s, really.

I hope that this book finds its audience, because I think that this book will be VERY important to the right teens.