Aristotle and Dante Dive Into the Waters of the World

Benjamin Alire Sáenz is a genuine literary craftsman, and the prose in this sequel — starred by Kirkus, Booklist, Publishers Weekly, and School Library Journal, and a New York Times bestseller — reflects that. The portrayal of Mexican-American family life, intergenerational trauma, and Ari's father's Vietnam War grief is emotionally nuanced and critically praised. Parents and educators considering this for faith-family or younger teen readers need the full picture, however: the book depicts an explicit sexual relationship between teenage boys, underage drinking, and the AIDS epidemic as a societal backdrop. It has been challenged and banned in numerous school districts. The content directly conflicts with traditional Christian values regarding teen sexuality and is inappropriate for younger teens and faith-conservative audiences. For older secular or LGBTQ-affirming readers, the literary merit is real. For this site's audience, this is a clear and significant content concern.