Toppers Read

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz

                  Fifteen year-old Ari has never had a real friend. That is, until he meets Dante. Dante can swim when Ari can’t, Dante can know his whole family when Ari can’t, and Dante can know who he is when Ari can’t. The two become inseparable in the summer of 1986, but after a horrendous accident at the end of the summer, they can never go back to how they once were. Dante’s father is offered a job in Chicago for the entirety of the school year, and his family makes the move from El Paso to the Windy City. The two spend months apart, and in that time begin to learn more about themselves and the changes that come with age.

                  As they reunite the following summer, it feels things have changed, but Ari knows one thing hasn’t – he still does not know who he is. Even after months of searching desperately, Ari struggles with his identity and the anger he feels of not knowing. Luckily, Dante has always been there to teach him.