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In this episode of Banned Camp, Jennifer and Dan delve into the turbulent emotions that follow Ari and his father’s intense trip to Tucson. As they return to El Paso amidst stormy weather, Ari wrestles with unsettling thoughts and a haunting dream that blurs the line between good and bad. Meanwhile, something unexpected and heartbreaking is about to unfold for Dante, testing the strength of his friendship with Ari and the boundaries of courage and identity. Join Jennifer and Dan as they explore these powerful chapters, filled with emotional highs and lows, while hinting at a looming revelation that will change everything.

Things To Listen For:

• The contrasting calm and chaos as Ari and his father drive back home through a storm—symbolic of Ari’s inner turmoil.
• An unusual dream Ari has involving his father and brother, and what it reveals about his feelings.
• Ari’s struggle to understand his own emotions, from confusion to longing, and his complicated relationship with Dante.
• The tense and poignant conversation between Ari and Mr. Quintana—Dante’s father—foreshadowing a significant turning point.
• Jennifer and Dan’s take on how difficult topics like identity and self-acceptance play a crucial role in the book’s narrative.
• A lighthearted Robot segment that analyzes the prevalence of “babushkas” in literature and folklore.

Banworthy to Bingeworthy:
For a deeper dive into the rise of book bans and the authors behind banned books, check out the Velshi Banned Book Club podcast. This thought-provoking series tackles why certain books are targeted and what these stories reveal about societal issues. Find them on your favorite podcast app here.

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Featured Clips:
Featured clips include a brief segment from the song “Babooshka” by Kate Bush, produced by Jon Kelly and distributed by EMI Records. All rights and copyrights are the property of their respective owners and are used here for entertainment and educational purposes under fair use guidelines. No copyright infringement intended.

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 the book "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:
Ari and Dante, friendship, family dynamics, identity, self-discovery, storm symbolism, emotional conflict, censorship, banned books, LGBTQ+ theme