Comment

I've really loved all of Aida Salazar's books and was so excited for this one! And I'm happy to say that it absolutely lived up to my (very high) expectations. This middle grade novel in verse follows Elio, a boy who is navigating crushes, friendship, and identity. This book unpacks toxic masculinity in a really thoughtful way. Elio's mother tries to teach him about feminism and allyship, and even with these teachings, he still stumbles along the way. I really liked the depiction of Elio's father as a man who is actively trying to work through his own complex feelings and unlearn toxic masculinity so he can set a better example for his son. I think Elio's story is definitely one that young readers, especially boys, need. Plus the fact that it's a novel in verse means that it is an approachable read. "Ultraviolet" would be an excellent transitional read for tweens getting ready to move from middle grade to YA fiction. Perfect for fans of Jason Reynolds, Torrey Maldonado, or Lamar Giles.