I loved this book! The honesty surrounding puberty, toxic masculinity, growing up and breaking generational trauma is written so well. The MC's voice is at times humerous but heartfelt.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read and review an advanced reader copy of this gorgeous novel in verse. Salazar has written a book that challenges traditional views on masculinity while also acknowledging the very real vulnerabilities young boys go through as they confront first love, heartbreak, health issues, and puberty, filling a much needed gap in a literary cannon that until now has largely ignored the struggles of Latine tween boys. A must read!

Ultraviolet by Aida Salazar is already one of my favorite books of 2024. When I was entering middle school, I read a lot of Judy Blume and Ann M. Martin books because they wrote about real growing pains that my friends and I were experiencing. Now I can add Ultraviolet to that group of stories that encapsulates what it's like to be 13, developing first crushes, heartbreak, and learning how to navigate your emotions without hurting others.

In this novel in verse, Salazar follows Elio, a Mexican-American boy who has a core group of friends and looks to his dad to teach him what it means to "be a man." According to his dad, it's not allowing yourself to feel any negative emotions and to embrace a macho attitude. Thankfully, Elio's mother steps in and gently guides him to fully embrace the changes he's going through and to allow himself the time and space to heal from being hurt. Elio's two younger sisters, who typically get on his nerves, turn up for him when he is at his lowest point.

My favorite part of this book is how Salazar writes authentically from the perspective of teenagers. Their dialogue is completely believable, even using the most up-to-date slang of our current times: "no cap" and "rizz" make their way into the conversations throughout the story. She also weaves in the power of social media, group chats, and consent into the tale as Elio faces big decisions over how to deal with his ex-girlfriend's new boyfriend who is taunting him. Elio's problems are realistic so readers can possibly work through similar issues they are having through the story.

As a teacher, parent, and school librarian, I would highly recommend this book to upper middle grade readers (6th grade and up). The story's open and honest conversations about bodies and hormones between the grownups and teenagers can show readers how to respectfully have these important conversations by using accurate language and some humor, at times. I also appreciate Salazar showcasing a broad range of side characters who are also dealing with similar coming-of-age feelings. The last part that I especially enjoyed is how much Spanish is used in the story. Being an immigrant myself, I can attest that hearing your ancestral language is powerful, using it yourself is even more moving, and finally seeing it printed in a published book is beyond feeling seen. It signifies your experience as a person with a another language and cultural background that is just as a part of your identity as any other part.

Be sure to checkout this novel as it is released in April of 2024 and Salazar's other books. She is a master storyteller who will have you laughing at one point and reaching for the tissues at another. For a read-alike to this book, I suggest the young adult book by Lamar Giles, Not So Pure and Simple.

"Ultraviolet is a fresh novel-in-verse examining the dangers of toxic masculinity, navigating romantic relationships, consent, and friendship. I truly empathize with Elio—first, with his feelings of bursting love, and later, with his angst. Salazar includes a number of timely and relevant teen topics without ever feeling didactic: lots of Elio’s thoughts are about physical changes associated with puberty, consent, social media, and gender. Yes: the words ‘cap’ and ‘rizz’ are also in there. The story is written from Elio’s sole perspective, which means we miss out on knowing exactly what Camelia is feeling except through her direct dialogue. However, standing (in discomfort) in Elio’s shoes with his conflicting feelings is quite effective. I can’t recall having read many other stories that cover these topics from a middle school cisgender boy’s perspective, and certainly not in this accessible verse format. Recommended for addition to middle school collections."

5 stars

This is a fantastic read that - among many other highlights - fills a much-needed niche: middle grade boys grappling with their first romances, how to treat romantic partners, and how to understand their bodies. It's an absolute must read.

Young Elio, the extraordinarily likeable m.c. (even in his most middle grade moments), has his first girlfriend and a whole lot of related complications. In addition to struggling with his feelings and his body, he's also trying to learn about his girlfriend's needs and body, consent, toxic masculinity, and his relationship to other boys and men in his community. Salazar, with a wave of near magic, makes all of this come together in a remarkably readable, engaging, moving, and lesson-packed verse novel, all while never giving even the slightest hint of overly didactic writing.

I can't say enough how much I enjoyed this read but also what a useful book I know it will be for readers of all ages. Additionally, Salazar begins with a note remarking on how this population and topic are missing almost altogether in middle grade, and I am so glad that we now have a worthy read to fill this role.

I will not only be recommending this one highly to students but will also be taking it under serious consideration to teach in future courses. Don't miss it.

Excellent novel-in-verse about first love, betrayal, puberty, and masculinity. Elio falls in love with Camelia and feels betrayed when she starts hanging out with Chava. Dad is taking Elio to a sons’ and dad’s circle where they talk about man stuff. Elio is experiencing the normal hormones and is told you will learn about your emotions and desires. When Elio has an unexpected heart episode, he’s told to stay home until surgery. When Elio finds out something about Chava and Camelia he challenges Chava to a fight. What happens next?

A beautifully written novel-in-verse that follows 8th grader Elio through his first love and heartbreak. He does not deal with it well, including lashing out at his girlfriend with troubling language, and must find his way back to his kind and caring self to do better and ask for forgiveness. The voice is spot on for a 13yo protagonist and transitions between laugh-out-loud funny, cringe-worthy, and heartbreaking verse. I hope young readers will be able to sit with Elio's journey and consider their own feelings about masculinity and what it means to be an ally. I was lucky enough to read an advanced reader copy of this story and this line from Aida Salazar's "Dear Reader" letter has really stuck with me: "As a feminist and the mother of a boy, I want to offer boys examples of how they can find strength through vulnerability and sensitivity." A brilliant work of art. Highly recommend.

This book was great! I loved seeing how the main character learned from the mistakes he made, it had such a good message! I also thought it was really nice to see how the main characters made up, that was great!