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ARISTOTLE AND DANTE DIVE INTO THE WATERS OF THE WORLD

Name: ARISTOTLE AND DANTE DIVE INTO THE WATERS OF THE WORLD
Author: Benjamin Alire Saenz

Benjamin Alire Saenz

Two boys in love must navigate through a world that doesn’t understand them. (Ages 14 and up)

Ages 15+Source checked

Why this age? Best suited to mature teens because of explicit LGBTQIA+ romance, sexual content, strong emotional themes, illness, prejudice, and complex family and identity issues. This is guidance, not a safety guarantee; reading level and family context may differ.

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At a glance

Recommended age15+

Strongest cautions

LGBTQIA characters5/5
Romance5/5
Death of a character3/5

Strongest positives

Courage & resilience4/5
Diverse representation4/5
Good role models4/5

What’s in it?

Death of a character3/5

Why this rating?

The death of a loved one and the shadow of the AIDS crisis are central to the narrative, focusing on the impact of loss.

Strong language2/5

Why this rating?

Includes moderate language and slurs used by antagonists to harass the protagonists.

LGBTQIA characters5/5

Why this rating?

Features central, well-developed gay teenage protagonists navigating their identity and relationship.

Religious themes2/5

Why this rating?

Religious upbringing and background influence the characters' internal dialogues and cultural setting.

Romance5/5

Why this rating?

Ari and Dante's evolving love and relationship are central to the story, with affection, conflict, and emotional intimacy.

Frightening scenes2/5

Why this rating?

Atmospheric tension exists regarding the threat of violence and the fear surrounding the AIDS epidemic.

Sexual content & nudity3/5

Why this rating?

Contains references to sexual discovery and intimacy, handled with emotional weight rather than explicit detail.

Alcohol or drugs2/5

Why this rating?

Occasional consumption of alcohol is depicted, consistent with the social context of the characters.

Violence2/5

Why this rating?

Includes instances of bullying and physical confrontations related to homophobia and social tensions.

What’s good in it?

Courage & resilience4/5

Why this rating?

Characters face identity questions, prejudice, illness, grief, and difficult family circumstances with emotional and moral courage.

Creativity & curiosity3/5

Why this rating?

Encourages poetic reflection and looking at the world with curiosity and wonder.

Diverse representation4/5

Why this rating?

Deeply centers the Latinx experience and queer identity in a nuanced, intersectional way.

Educational value2/5

Why this rating?

Offers insight into historical societal attitudes, specifically during the 1980s.

Kindness & empathy4/5

Why this rating?

Care, empathy, friendship, family support, and protecting vulnerable people are important recurring values.

Positive messages4/5

Why this rating?

Strong themes affirm honesty, self-acceptance, love, family connection, resilience, and challenging prejudice while acknowledging real pain.

Good role models4/5

Why this rating?

Characters are highly introspective and growth-oriented, serving as complex, humanistic models.

Family discussion

Talk about it

Conversation starters based on this title’s published content notes.

What did courage look like in this story? Was being brave always the same as being fearless?
How are identity and relationships presented, and how do they shape the characters’ experiences?
Which choice in ARISTOTLE AND DANTE DIVE INTO THE WATERS OF THE WORLD would you have made differently, and why?
Who changed the most in ARISTOTLE AND DANTE DIVE INTO THE WATERS OF THE WORLD, and what caused that change?

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