Best of the Month: September 2014: Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benja

Dante is book smart, while Ari is street smart. Dante is facinated by art and poetry, while Ari dwells on thoughts of his older brother, who is now in prison. Dante is fair skinned, while Ari's skin is darker. The two boys don't seem to have much in common, but after a chance meeting, they strike up a magical friendship and, over the course of one magical summer, discover important truths about themselves and who they really are.

I don't read a lot of contemperary, but this was great! The book has a great message that it's okay to just be you, even if other people don't get that or like it. The boys are relatable, likable characters that develop really well throughout the book, and the plot was well-paced. Dante's intellect meshes well with Ari, who's slightly more rough around the edges. We get to see their journey from being still-innocent teens to growing up, in so many different ways. A very heartwarming read that you'll come back to read over and over. 5/5 stars, hands down!

#bestofthemonth #awardwinnersandhonors #friendship #seriesstartandstandalones