Ultraviolet

When 13-year-old Elio Solis starts eighth grade and notices that all of his classmates have begun pairing up, he doesn't understand their interest in love, until he meets Camelia. Suddenly, "all this love stuff smacked me/ on the jaw/ like a good right hook/ and knocked/ me/ out." They start dating, and Elio experiences the world in ultraviolet ("Glow in the dark outrageous./ It's what I see when Camelia's around") as they sneak kisses, share smoothies, and spend as much time together as possible. After their relationship ends badly and abruptly, Elio is left dealing with tumultuous feelings of anger, despair, and grief, which are amplified by the hormonal changes he experiences while undergoing puberty. Pops says he needs to "man up," but Moms wants him to break away from toxic displays of masculinity. In a succinct, conversational style, Salazar (A Seed in the Sun) humorously and introspectively depicts the effects of puberty on Elio's everyday life as he grapples with confusing messaging he receives about how to be a man. Issues around consent and patriarchal systems are handled with insight and sensitivity, culminating in a compassionate verse novel about first love, heartbreak, and vulnerability. Most characters are Latinx. Ages 10-up. Agent: Marietta B. Zacker, Gallt and Zacker Literary. (Apr.)

Gr 5 Up--What does it mean to grow up and become a man? Salazar seeks to answer this question through sensitive eighth grader Elio in this companion to her celebrated novel in verse The Moon Within. The term "ultraviolet" refers to how he visualizes the depths of his emotions, especially when it comes to Camelia, the object of his affection. Yet relationship drama and pressure from his macho Pops make Elio question his manhood and sets him into a tailspin that threatens his tenderhearted nature. Salazar writes from a place of abundant empathy for all her characters--from rascally little sisters to wounded bullies--none more so than Pops, who needs to understand the reality of true masculinity the most of all. Her frank but thoughtful approach to puberty and sexuality, both from the perspective of public school students and from Indigenous Mexican traditions, further grounds Elio's story and provides valuable life lessons to young readers without tilting into preachiness. Although this book stands on its own, parents and teachers could inspire in-depth conversations on the broad spectrum of coming-of-age narratives and experiences by pairing this with The Moon Within. VERDICT Yet another heartfelt and accessible tale of growing up from one of the best in modern children's literature.--Alexandra Quay

Praise for Ultraviolet:

Written in Salazar's stunning and highly accessible verse . . . this novel stands out for the thoughtful way it expresses a young boy's perspective as it discusses topics such as masculinity and consent. . . . A story that sings to the soul. —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

Ultraviolet is a lyrical explosion, true and beautiful, of the pains and joys of growing into a good man. — Francisco X. Stork, award-winning author of I Am Not Alone and Marcelo in the Real World

Honest and poignant. Aida Salazar hits the mark with this important and intensely relatable tale that perfectly captures the angst of growing up. A true gift to maturing tweens everywhere. — Ernesto Cisneros, award-winning author of Efrén Divided