A Lot or a Little?
What you will—and won't—find in this book.
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Educational Value
very little
Some light reviewing of the AIDS crisis in the 1980s.
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Positive Messages
some
Stay true to your heart. Trust in those who love you. Respect others, even if they have different views. Stand against and call out hom*ophobia, sexism, and racism.
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Positive Role Models
some
Aristotle fully leans into his love for Dante. Dante and Aristotle both share a positive romance, open, honest, and explorative. They are there for each other, communicate well, and support one another beautifully. Some teachers and parents display responsibility, understanding, compassion, and integrity.
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Diverse Representations
a lot
The two main characters are gay Mexican Americans, and many of the side characters are people of color.
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Violence & Scariness
some
Some stories are told of kids beating up other kids, a soldier dying in the arms of a friend, a father beating up his child for being gay, and an abusive adult relationship between a man and a woman. A man gets beaten for being gay. Kids get pushed around, kicked in the groin, beat up, and punched in the face. Other references to "lynching and burning hom*osexuals" are mentioned. A father suddenly dies.
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Sex, Romance & Nudity
some
Teen boys shower together, get naked together a lot, and romantically kiss a lot. They also "have sex" but these instances are never described, only mentioned. There are some sex jokes ("More like touching each other's lizards..."), lots of talk about "desire" and "yearning" for bodies, touching, and sex.
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Language
a lot
Strong language throughout includes: "f--k," "f----r," "f---ing," "s--t," "bitch," "f--got," "f-g," "queer," "a--hole," "ass," "goddamn," "damn," "hell," "God," "d--k," "tit*," "sucks," "balls," "vato," "puta," "joto," "maricon," "pinche vieja," "shut up," "dork," and "idiot."
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Products & Purchases
some
References to: Star Trek, Dick Clark, Hallmark cards, Boy Scouts, New York Times, Volkswagon cars, the BBC, Snow White, Pay Day candy bars, Mary Kay products, the Village People, the Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, Oscar Wilde, Stephen King, Dr. Pepper, and Harvard University.
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Drinking, Drugs & Smoking
some
Adults smoke cigarettes. Teens drink beer, wine, bourbon, and champagne. Some references to smoking weed.
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Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Aristotle and Dante Dive into the Waters of the World is the sequel to Benjamin Alire Sáenz's acclaimed, Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe, a coming-of-age novel about two teen boys learning to love one another. This sequel picks right up after the end of Secrets of the Universe and follows Ari (Aristotle) as he waxes philosophical about being gay, love, desire, and sex. There are many passages that talk about desire and sex, and Ari and Dante do "have sex," but it's never described. There is a lot of romantic kissing, however. Teen boys often get naked, in bodies of water, in the rain, in the shower, and in bed. Some violent moments happen, mostly having to do with getting into fist fights or punching someone in the face. For coming out, a teen gets beaten up by an abusive father, stories of lynching and burning "hom*osexuals" are mentioned, and a soldier dies in his friend's arms. Kids beat up another kid for being hom*ophobic. Teens drink (wine, bourbon, champagne), talk about smoking weed, and adults smoke cigarettes. There's also strong language throughout, including: "f--k," and its variants and "s--t," "bitch," "f--got," "f-g," "queer," "a--hole," "ass," "goddamn," "damn," "hell," "God," "dick," "tit*," "balls," "vato," "puta," "joto," "maricon," "pinche vieja."
What's the Story?
In ARISTOTLE AND DANTE DIVE INTO THE WATERS OF THE WORLD, Aristotle and Dante continue their relationship and navigate their new love, desire, and dreams. College and life after high school looms, threatening to end something beautiful. Will Aristotle listen to his heart or head?
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about strong language in young adult novels. Did you find the swearing in Aristotle and Dante Dive into the Waters of the World too much or just right? Why?
As a sequel, did you find the continuation of Aristotle and Dante satisfying? Did you find their love believable? Emotionally powerful? Why or why not?
Did you like the structure of how this story was told? Why or why not?
