Aristotle and Dante - Benjamin Alire Saenz

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz
The story begins in the summer of 1987, 15 yr old Aristotle (Ari), has a good relationship with his mother, his father is a man of few words and the two don't know where to begin. Ari also misses his older brother, Bernardo immensely but since he went to prison no one in the family is allowed to speak his name. Ari is angry and always ready to fight, until he meets Dante at the pool Ari has no friends. 15yr Dante is almost the complete opposite of Ari, he's closer is father and unafraid to show kindness and is sure of who he is.

Somehow these soon to be men who are very different quickly become good friends, as the story evolves their bond gets even stronger. As the summers pass, the boys experince love, pain, heartache and loss, pretty much every emotion that will touch your heart. Saenz does it in such a poetic way, you can't help but be fully engaged and moved by the beauty of his words.

Reading Saenz is always a beautiful experience, he is one of my favorites. Every single time I read one of his novels, I happily lose myslef in his words. When I am finished the characters he's created will stay with me for a long time. If you've never read Saenz you are seriously missing out but Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe is a wonderful place to begin. A 2012 favorite.

An excerpt

Starred School Library Journal review

Starred Publishers Weekly review

The Piper's Son - Melina Marchetta

The Piper's Son by Melina Marchetta

Ever since Thomas Mackee's uncle was killed by a suicide bomber, he hasn't been the same. Thomas is also coming to terms to what his father's violent actions did to his family. Thomas spends his days and nights drinking too much. All that hard living finally lands Thomas in the hospital and that's where the story begins. His roommates, who weren't real friends to begin with have kicked him out. No where else to go Thomas goes to stay with his aunt Georgie Finch. The story alternates between Thomas and Georgie. Though they are the two central characters the story is about the whole Finch Mackee family.

When I finished The Piper's Son the first time I was content and thought it was good. I figured the time had finally come that Marchetta wrote a book I didn't love and I was okay with that. I thought it was bound to happen eventually. Sure the odds are aganist the authors great streak of writing books I love continuing forever but it won't end with The Piper's Son.

The second time through it was a whole different story. I loved it. The first time in, I rushed it and didn't take the time to appreciate the nuances of the language. Once I slowed down I was able to fully connect with the characters and their emotions. Thomas and Georgie both feel very real. The fully developed friends and family add another dimension. Marchetta doesn't rush the story it simply unfolds naturally and that's where the magic comes from.

If you haven't read Marchetta before begin anywhere, you won't be dissappointed. If your a fan read Piper's Son. On Sunday March 20th, Marchetta will be signing at Books of Wonder along with 43 other YA authors.

Looking this over, I realize this isn't the best review. I simply don't want to break the story down too much, I like it whole. I am selfish like that.

More reviews

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Crossing Xia Fukuda

Crossing by Andrew Xia Fukuda

Freshman Xing Xu is one of two Chinese students at his upstate N.Y. high school. Xing goes by the name Kris since no one can pronounce his Chinese name. Xing is a quiet loner. His family immigrated to America when he was a child and Xing has yet to feel connected to his new home. Even, Xing's only friend Naomi Lee, who he once called an FOB. (fresh off the boat) as adjusted easily to life in America.

"But it was not only her name I secretly envied. She now spoke English with a pitch perfect accent. I'd been in America two years longer than she, in fact, but you wouldn't know it from the heavily accented Chinglish I used. Her English was Julie Chen perfect, mine was Jackie Chan cumbersome"

Xing doesn't talk in school, many people think he can't speak English. Xing is bullied for being different. When students begin to go missing and are murdered, including a few who used to tease Xing, he becomes a suspect.

A new student, Jan Blair joins the class on the first day of school. Blair is bullied and called names. Even Xing does what he can to avoid any association with her, for fear of being taunted even more. Jan Blair is called Blair Witch (after the movie)

I had a problem with this cruel intentions only nickname. Blair Witch (a very bad horror movie) was in the late 90's. As far as I know its not considered a classic movie that's still being referenced. So the nickname felt dated.

I loved the premise of Crossing. However I didn't enjoy this book as much as I would've liked. I found the chapter transitions a little abrupt. I thought Xing Xu was a great character. His struggles living in America one of my favorite parts of the novel. Originally and understudy, Xing gets the lead in the choir when another classmate goes missing.

There were points in the novel where Xing's voice was very clear. The author allowed me to truly understand Xing. However, many times I thought the author was onto something with Xing but rather than explore it more the moments were stopped. I would've like to see Xing's relationship with his father development a little more. Since Xing's father was the one who wanted to come to America. Did America live up to the father's dreams or was he disappointed like his son.

"Your father thought puberty robbed you of your voice. But it wasn't puberty, was it? It was America." I sat stunned. My father had never told me this. There were times when I had sensed his encouragement for me to sing and in latter years, his disappointment when I refused to. "

Though the missing and murdered classmates of Xing weren't the focus of the novel. As a lover of mysteries, I still expected the author to develop this storyline as well as he could have. The author did a good job of keeping my interest when describing all the missing students and when the bodies were found. However, I was little dissappointed when I discovered who the murderer was.

This is Fukuda's first novel. Xing made this novel for me. As I said before there were some great moments that really showed the author writing ability. I look forward to reading more by Fukuda.

3 review by bloggers who really enjoyed Crossing

Book Gazing

Gal Novelty

Reading in Color