Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe — Content Guide for Parents
Themes present
Not found
Content themes
Factual summary of themes present in this book. No opinion — just the facts.
Get the full theme breakdown in the app
Detailed evidence, confidence ratings, and source citations for every theme.
Download for iOSExample theme card
Religious themes
PRESENTContains references to prayer and church attendance. A minister character plays a supporting role in two chapters.
About this book
Aristotle is an angry teen with a brother in prison.
Dante is a know-it-all who has a unique perspective on life.
When the two meet at the swimming pool, they seem to have nothing in common. But as the loners start spending time together, they develop 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 the universe, themselves and the kind of people they want to be.
This incredibly moving and powerful Printz Honor Book follows two teen boys learning to open themselves up to love, despite the world being against them.
'A tender, honest exploration of identity' - Publishers Weekly
Frequently asked questions
Is Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe appropriate for a 7-year-old?
The narrative includes a scene where Dante is beaten by bullies, resulting in him being hospitalized. Additionally, there is mention of a car accident and a character getting punched, breaking their nose. A murder is also referenced in the context of the story. No content described as scary or distressing in the search results.
Does Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe have violence?
The narrative includes a scene where Dante is beaten by bullies, resulting in him being hospitalized. Additionally, there is mention of a car accident and a character getting punched, breaking their nose. A murder is also referenced in the context of the story.
Does Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe have scary content?
No content described as scary or distressing in the search results.
Does Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe have religious themes?
No religious content or themes detected in the search results.
Does Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe have racial/cultural content?
The story centers on two Mexican-American boys and explores their cultural identities and the complexities of growing up as part of a minority group in 1980s Texas. It raises questions about identity in relation to their heritage.
Does Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe have profanity?
Ari experiments with curse words and discusses their appropriateness with his mother, who reacts negatively to certain words. This indicates a presence of mild profanity in the narrative.
Does Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe have climate change?
No climate-related themes or discussions detected in the search results.
Does Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe have sexual identity?
The book discusses sexual orientation and includes a scene where Dante asks Ari about masturbation. It explores the characters' struggles with their sexual identities and their feelings for each other.
Does Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe have gender roles?
The search results do not indicate a clear focus on traditional or modern gender roles. The narrative primarily revolves around the characters' identities and relationships rather than explicit gender role discussions.
Does Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe have lgbtq+ themes?
The book is described as a coming-of-age story that explores themes of friendship, identity, and the struggles of growing up as LGBTQ+. It addresses sexual orientation, particularly through the character of Dante as he comes to terms with his homosexuality and Ari's journey of self-acceptance regarding his feelings for Dante.
