(Steeplechase+ BWF) Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz - 4 stars

[Ellen]

Aristotle (Ari) and Dante are two loner teenaged boys who meet one summer day at the community pool. Ari does not know how to swim and is too embarrassed to ask for help. Dante notices Ari and willingly offers to give him lessons. The two become fast friends despite their obvious differences. Dante is self-assured, loves poetry and art and is crazy about his parents. Ari is awkward, self-doubting and sometimes unsure of his parents especially his father who carries dark memories of the Vietnam War. Ari has an older brother in prison who his parents never talk about. Ari and Dante become an inseparable pair. Dante is aware that he is more attracted to boys than to girls and is content with that. Ari just feels that he is somehow 'wrong' inside and keeps Dante at arm's length except as a friend. The two learn to navigate their young lives as they discover deep seated feelings and acceptance of their attraction.

This is such a lovely, sweet story of two nice kids who manage to find one another when it was needed. The audio is fabulous, read by Lin-Manuel Miranda who I love. I will definitely look for the second book soon.