We had another great book group meeting on Monday night! We so appreciate all of you who come out and spend the evening talking about literature with us! Sáenz latest was another book group favorite. With the multiple themes covered in this beautiful novel, it’s the perfect book to consider bringing into your classroom for February. Neoshia has been sharing different books and resources appropriate for focusing on various ways of teaching about civil rights, and this book offers one more way to integrate civil rights lesson plans into the classroom. In our Educator’s Guide we’ve included a number of lesson plans and resources for teaching about sexuality, gay history, and gay rights. As I discuss in more detail below, it’s also a unique love story that goes beyond just romantic love but touches on the love shared between friends and the love between parents and their children–perfect for this Valentine’s Day month!
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe
Written by Benjamin Alire Sáenz
Published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2012
ISBN: 978-1442408920
Age Level: 12 and up
Description (From GoodReads):
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.
My thoughts:
It’s no secret that we love Benjamin Alire Sáenz here at Vamos a Leer. He’s been a favorite author of mine since I discovered Sammy and Julianna in Hollywood two summers ago. This past summer our book group took a break from young adult literature and read Saenz’s Everything Begins and Ends at the Kentucky Club. I remember starting it with some hesitancy, fearing that I would be disappointed because there was no way it could be as moving as Sammy & Juliana. I was wrong. It was amazing. Despite this, I was hesitant again when I heard about Aristotle and Dante. All the reviews said it was excellent. It was continually placed on lists of award winning books. I put off reading it, afraid it wouldn’t live up to my expectations. Of course, my fears were completely unfounded. It is one of the most beautiful books I’ve ever read. It may be cliché to say that it is achingly beautiful, but I can’t come up with another way to describe it. While I cried through at least the last third of the book, I absolutely loved every minute of reading it. Continue reading →
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