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In this episode of Banned Camp, Jennifer and Dan delve into Chapters 5-7 of Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz. Ari and Dante’s friendship takes an intense turn as Dante suggests an experiment—kissing. Tensions build as Ari struggles to reconcile his feelings about the kiss, and Dante wrestles with his own emotions. Jennifer and Dan unpack the complex dynamics of friendship, identity, and the fear of unspoken truths. And, of course, there’s a side conversation where Jennifer and Dan reminisce about their ill-fated plan to start a food truck—something about frozen bananas and how things just don’t always go as planned.

Expect an emotional rollercoaster of reluctant acceptance, suppressed feelings, and awkward yet revealing conversations.

Things To Listen For:

• The “kiss experiment” and its aftermath.
• Ari’s struggle with expressing his emotions.
• Dante’s persistence and vulnerability in his friendship with Ari.
• Jennifer and Dan’s humorous take on the complexities of teenage identity.
• Insight into Ari’s relationship with his father and the deep silence between them.

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Disclaimer:
This podcast, Banned Camp, features readings and discussions of banned books for the purpose of criticism, commentary, education, and entertainment in accordance with fair use guidelines. The material used from Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz is shared under these principles, with the intent of provoking thought and discussion about literature, censorship, and societal issues. We do not claim any ownership over the original work, and all copyrights remain with the original copyright holder. We strongly encourage listeners to purchase copies of the discussed works to appreciate them in their original context fully.

This podcast is not endorsed by Benjamin Alire Sáenz, his estate, or the publishers of Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe. Any monetization of the podcast is separate and not derived directly from the copyrighted material discussed. Our intent is to engage in, promote, and support critical and educational discourse around these works within the framework of fair use.

Topics Covered:
friendship, identity, teenage emotions, LGBTQ themes, kissing experiment, father-son relationship, suppression of feelings, silence, book censorship, book banning