#tbt: Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz

Image: Simon & Schuster

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz. 368 p. Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, February 21, 2012. 9781442408920.

I was quite surprised and saddened to learn of the death of Benjamin Alire Sáenz on FB yesterday. I was in the room when he received his Printz Honor for this book. His speech was so warm and humble. It not only won a Printz Honor, but also the Pura Belpré Award and the Stonewall Book Award. 

I adored the book when I finally got around to reading it with my ears. It was beautifully narrated by Lin Manuel-Miranda. 

Here's a link to a lovely obituary in El Paso Matters. It was through this article that I learned the author has a new YA set to be published in September. More on that next week. 

Waiting on Wednesday: Too Big to Say by Phil Bildner, illustrated by Mike Curato

Image: Hachette Book Group

Too Big to Say by Phil Bildner, illustrated by Mike Curato. 256 p. Little, Brown Books for Young Readers/ Hachette Book Group, March 2, 2027. 9780316585972.

I am a fan of Phil Bildner and follow him on social media. When I saw his link to this cover reveal in Betsy Bird's blog on SLJ the other day, I knew I'd have to share today on my Waiting on Wednesday. 

Publisher synopsis: Perfect for fans of The Trouble with Heroes and Hey, Kiddo, this heartfelt illustrated novel tells the story of two friends who help each other make tough decisions while on a hiking adventure.

Two middle schoolers, Jaxson and South, embark on a day-long mission to climb the fire tower at the top of Mount Hope. Until now, the two have been mostly long-distance friends, but after months of planning for and dreaming about this day, they’re finally together in-person.

As they hike up the mountain, Jaxson is distracted by flashbacks—vivid thoughts about his mom’s deteriorating mental health and his worsening homelife. Meanwhile, South is trying to face their fear of heights, while worrying about disappointing their hyper critical dad. The two are so busy grappling with their inner struggles that they nearly jeopardize their friendship (and developing crush)…until it becomes clear they each have to make a tough decision. But are some things too big to say?

Moving, authentic, and hopefully told through prose and illustrated flashbacks, this story is for any young person who needs to remember the strength they can always find in their friends and in themselves.

Middle Grade Monday: The Year I Stopped Drawing: an Illustrated Novel in Verse by Grant Snider

Image: Abrams

The Year I Stopped Drawing: an Illustrated Novel in Verse by Grant Snider. 312 p. Amulet Books/ Abrams, November 10, 2026. 9781419788383. Review of arc courtesy of publisher.

Adam Zane has always been known as the best artist in his class, but he's entering seventh grade and everything is about to change for him - his brother left for college and hasn't communicated with Adam, his parents are fighting, but pretending that they're not, his best friend had a growth spurt, and worst of all, a new girl is a better artist than he. He's at sea. His grades begin to suffer, he refuses to attempt to create any art. When his anger at being constantly bullied by Jason erupts, and he ends up with an in-school suspension, his counselor sets him a challenge

Trust me when I say that grade seven is cataclysmic. So much change is happening to these kids from the onset of puberty (or lack of onset) to the shifting friendships, to the increased difficulty of classes. The appeal of this illustrated novel in verse lies in its utter relatability and readability. Post-It Notes separate chapters by months of the school year and there are pencil drawings accompanying each poem. The presentation is clean and engaging. Middle school readers will find much to connect with. Touching at times, humorous at others, this book is a solid addition to any collection. I can't wait to read the finished book! Highly recommend!

Happy reading!

Waiting on Wednesday: The Favorite by Gordon Korman

Image: Macmillan

The Favorite by Gordon Korman. 272 p. Balzar + Bray/ Macmillan, January 19, 2027. 9781250400406. 

Gordon Korman tweeted news of his upcoming new release the other day. His books are favorites among my middle school students. The publisher synopsis makes it sound like outlandish fun.

Publisher synopsis: Four siblings must compete with each other for the ultimate prize in this high-concept, hilarious new novel from the #1 New York Times-bestselling author of Restart, Gordon Korman. 

There can be only one…

The four Coleridge kids–Harper, twins Dylan and Lacey, and Bobby, live in Caddo, Oklahoma, where the most exciting thing that ever happens is cow tipping. Until their father swoops into town.

He happens to be billionaire Asher Coleridge, founder of Zzazz, the hottest fashion company for kids. And when his limo pulls up at school, it isn’t for an ordinary visit. Zzazz needs a new brand ambassador, who will travel the world, attend star-studded parties, and be the face of the company. Asher wants it to be one of his kids. But which one? That’s where the Contest comes in.

How do mere kids wow a billionaire? Over the course of several weeks, it is on. From soccer games, to a Monopoly smackdown, to a high-stakes school election, to the world’s most intense pizza-eating challenge, the siblings will do almost anything for the coveted title. Even the family pet - a three-legged rat named Ollie - gets involved.

Each kid has their own reasons for wanting to escape Caddo. But there can only be one Brand Ambassador. How far are they willing to go to win?