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Ultraviolet
Sometimes life explodes in technicolor. In the spirit of Judy Blume, award-winning author Aida Salazar tells it like it is about puberty, hormones, and first love in this hilarious, heartwarming, and highly relatable coming-of-age story. Perfect for fans of Jason Reynolds, Kwame Alexander, and Adib Khorram. For Elio Solis, eighth grade fizzes with change--his body teeming with hormones. His feelings that flow like lava. His relationship with Pops, who's always telling him to man up, the Solis way. And especially Camelia, his first girlfriend. But when betrayal and heartbreak send Elio spiraling toward revenge, he doesn't anticipate that a fight to prove his manhood and defend Camelia's honor will lead to dire consequences--or that Camelia's not looking for a savior. Crackling with comedy and unflinching candor, Ultraviolet digs deep into themes of consent, puberty, masculinity, and the emotional lives of boys, as it challenges stereotypes and offers another way to be in the world. It speaks directly to tweens' and young teens' lived experiences and will make them feel seen.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published April 2, 2024
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2572 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 141 reviews
May 2, 2025
Aida Salazar never ceases to amaze me! This was another enjoyable read.
Ultraviolet is one of those middle grade contemporary books that changes the way readers perceive how kids experience their first crushes/relationships. While Elio's classmates begin to "pair off" into relationships, he begins to acknowledge his own feelings toward fellow classmate Camelia. Additionally, not only is he going through puberty, but he's also confronting his own toxic masculinity. Though everyone may not agree, I think that this is a great book for tweens especially tween boys.
Ultraviolet is one of those middle grade contemporary books that changes the way readers perceive how kids experience their first crushes/relationships. While Elio's classmates begin to "pair off" into relationships, he begins to acknowledge his own feelings toward fellow classmate Camelia. Additionally, not only is he going through puberty, but he's also confronting his own toxic masculinity. Though everyone may not agree, I think that this is a great book for tweens especially tween boys.
May 14, 2024
Not my personal favorite, but there aren't enough books about boys going through puberty, and this fits that niche... adding it to my middle school classroom! If more boys had access to books like this that they could see themselves in, we might be able to change our perception that "boys hate reading"
February 10, 2025
This was a bizarre reading experience on three levels, and independently, I hated this book.
Level 1 of bizarre (superficial): this book is written in verse, not my usual cup of tea. It wasn't stream of consciousness and fairly cogent, so this didn't bother me once I got used to it. Rather, I thought it enhanced how scattered Elio's thoughts were - dominated by both his emotions and his hormones. It was certainly a wild ride.
Level 2 of bizarre: the experience of reading this book. I loved Elio as a character and his family dynamic, particularly with his parents, felt authentic. Otherwise, I hated this book. There were so many random elements that I hated (like cockfighting), the interpersonal elements were shockingly bad - the "toxic" masculinity and overuse of the word "mansplaining" was offensive, and I really couldn't stand Camelia (or any of the female characters) because of the biased slant in which they were protrayed-more on that later.
Level 3 of bizarre: the reviews for this book. When I finished reading, I was SHOCKED to see how well this was rated - but as I read through the reviews, I realized the reviews were not because this was actually a good book, but because it existed in this genre (male puberty, etc. etc.). This is a terrible book in a lot of ways, but people seemed to boost their rating by at least 2 stars simply for it's existence.
Additionally, the support group for men and boys really didn't feel like it would encourage more open conversation at all, and the book was striving SO HARD to cover a million bases while being entirely inclusive that it felt disingenuous and try-hard. Everybody just got their nod and the book blithely moved on, without actually treating any group. There was a casual comment about Camelia "may not even liking boys" and then moving on to other topics. All I heard was "check: non-hetero relationships covered." It was exhausting.
My real complaint about the book was about the portrayal of women - all ages. Instead of being damsels in distress, incapable of making decisions or defending themselves, the author went to the opposite end of the spectrum, where females are independent, faultless individuals, historically victimized and prevented from embracing their true power. Both of these portrayals are hugely problematic. Women haven't always been fairly treated, sure, but they are human, and they make mistakes - sometimes even bad ones that require an apology.
Elio's anger was entirely dismissed at every turn, and when he acted like a teenager, he was told he was being "toxic", when he expressed outrage for poor treatment of his friend he was accused of "mansplaining." It was infuriating. Camelia was awful, she read more bitter mid-life women than almost-high-schooler, and her condescending treatment of Elio was unforgivable, yet she was always the one requiring Elio to apologize to her. There was no acceptance of responsibility of her own actions, and Elio was left believing that anger is unacceptable and to express it is truly a poor decision. Further, when trying to talk a friend through a problem, he was "mansplaining" so communication is a fraught endeavor.
I HATED this book, but I feel strongly about that hate and don't truly feel it shouldn't have been published, so I give it two stars. I do not recommend this book, if this is the only book in the genre, then talk to your kids about puberty, and don't let them draw the conclusion outlined in this wretched book.
Level 1 of bizarre (superficial): this book is written in verse, not my usual cup of tea. It wasn't stream of consciousness and fairly cogent, so this didn't bother me once I got used to it. Rather, I thought it enhanced how scattered Elio's thoughts were - dominated by both his emotions and his hormones. It was certainly a wild ride.
Level 2 of bizarre: the experience of reading this book. I loved Elio as a character and his family dynamic, particularly with his parents, felt authentic. Otherwise, I hated this book. There were so many random elements that I hated (like cockfighting), the interpersonal elements were shockingly bad - the "toxic" masculinity and overuse of the word "mansplaining" was offensive, and I really couldn't stand Camelia (or any of the female characters) because of the biased slant in which they were protrayed-more on that later.
Level 3 of bizarre: the reviews for this book. When I finished reading, I was SHOCKED to see how well this was rated - but as I read through the reviews, I realized the reviews were not because this was actually a good book, but because it existed in this genre (male puberty, etc. etc.). This is a terrible book in a lot of ways, but people seemed to boost their rating by at least 2 stars simply for it's existence.
Additionally, the support group for men and boys really didn't feel like it would encourage more open conversation at all, and the book was striving SO HARD to cover a million bases while being entirely inclusive that it felt disingenuous and try-hard. Everybody just got their nod and the book blithely moved on, without actually treating any group. There was a casual comment about Camelia "may not even liking boys" and then moving on to other topics. All I heard was "check: non-hetero relationships covered." It was exhausting.
My real complaint about the book was about the portrayal of women - all ages. Instead of being damsels in distress, incapable of making decisions or defending themselves, the author went to the opposite end of the spectrum, where females are independent, faultless individuals, historically victimized and prevented from embracing their true power. Both of these portrayals are hugely problematic. Women haven't always been fairly treated, sure, but they are human, and they make mistakes - sometimes even bad ones that require an apology.
Elio's anger was entirely dismissed at every turn, and when he acted like a teenager, he was told he was being "toxic", when he expressed outrage for poor treatment of his friend he was accused of "mansplaining." It was infuriating. Camelia was awful, she read more bitter mid-life women than almost-high-schooler, and her condescending treatment of Elio was unforgivable, yet she was always the one requiring Elio to apologize to her. There was no acceptance of responsibility of her own actions, and Elio was left believing that anger is unacceptable and to express it is truly a poor decision. Further, when trying to talk a friend through a problem, he was "mansplaining" so communication is a fraught endeavor.
I HATED this book, but I feel strongly about that hate and don't truly feel it shouldn't have been published, so I give it two stars. I do not recommend this book, if this is the only book in the genre, then talk to your kids about puberty, and don't let them draw the conclusion outlined in this wretched book.
January 8, 2024
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
In this novel in vese, we meet Elio, a cisgender Latino boy who has fallen in love for the first time. The object of his affections is the artsy Camellia, and her presernce makes him feel like the world is more colorful in ways he never saw before, hence the title. They are in eighth grade in a STEAM centered school, and all of Elio's friends seem to be paring up, no matter what their orientation His best friend, Paco, is very interested in girls as well, but more as acquisitions. When Camellia assents to "going around" with Elio, he is so delighted that he attempts to write a song for her. His mother, a graphic designer, tries to support him. His father, a city planner, is rather harsh when he sees Elio crying and tells him to "man up" even though he is evolved enough to do most of the cooking in the house. Elio is debating kissing Camella, because that seems to be the point of dating in middle school, but he isn't sure he wants to; when Camellia kisses him, he finds he enjoys it, and the two take any opportunity they can find to engage in this new activity. There is a one day sex education class where students are divided by binary genders, but it's not that informative. Eliois experiencing the effects of puberty, from growing pains and stretch marks to erections. When Camellia is absent from school, she tells Elio that she was out because of menstrual cramps, and while he doesn't react appropriately in the moment, he later asks his mother if the salve she uses for his growing pains would work for cramps, and the two make up a "feel better bag". Elio's father's toxic masculinity shows itself when he takes his son to the cock fights, but he later see the error of his ways and creates a Brothers Rising group of fathers and sons that get together to discuss various issues and become better men. Camellia breaks up with Elio, and starts dating his friend Chava, but when Elio finds out that Chava is forcing Camellia to kiss him, he steps in, even though he has trash talked her in the wake of their break up. When Elio and Chava are about to fight, Elio passes out, and a medical examination reveals that he has a heart problem. Will Elio be able to go forward with his life as a better young man with a healthy attitude ttowards relationships?
Strengths: Salazar wrote this to go along with The Moon Within, since she didn't see an analagous book for her son. Considering how many, many books there are about female puberty, especially menstruation, it really is rather surprising that there aren't more books about the subject from the male perspective. (Other than Blume's Then Again, Maybe I Won't, I can't think of any. And that's from 1971.) The descriptions walk the fine line between instructional and informative and cringe worthy in the best possible way; I would feel comfortable handing this to a young reader, since the language is clinical and circumspect.
Weaknesses: The Brothers Rising group seemed a bit odd; I can't see any group requiring men to strip down being successful in my neighborhood. At one point, a teacher talks to Elio about possibly being soul mates with Camellia; I try very hard to never make personal comments about students' relationships, because that can only get one in trouble. There were multiple mentions of "pedo face"; because there were a number of Spanish words included, which was great, I thought it might be Spanish, but my best guest is that it is derived from "pedophile" and means "an awkward smile", but I had trouble defining it correctly.
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who want a book about burgeoning romance and puberty like Bryant's Abby in Between: Ready or Not or Evans' Grow Up, Tahlia Wilkins, but from a male perspective.
In this novel in vese, we meet Elio, a cisgender Latino boy who has fallen in love for the first time. The object of his affections is the artsy Camellia, and her presernce makes him feel like the world is more colorful in ways he never saw before, hence the title. They are in eighth grade in a STEAM centered school, and all of Elio's friends seem to be paring up, no matter what their orientation His best friend, Paco, is very interested in girls as well, but more as acquisitions. When Camellia assents to "going around" with Elio, he is so delighted that he attempts to write a song for her. His mother, a graphic designer, tries to support him. His father, a city planner, is rather harsh when he sees Elio crying and tells him to "man up" even though he is evolved enough to do most of the cooking in the house. Elio is debating kissing Camella, because that seems to be the point of dating in middle school, but he isn't sure he wants to; when Camellia kisses him, he finds he enjoys it, and the two take any opportunity they can find to engage in this new activity. There is a one day sex education class where students are divided by binary genders, but it's not that informative. Eliois experiencing the effects of puberty, from growing pains and stretch marks to erections. When Camellia is absent from school, she tells Elio that she was out because of menstrual cramps, and while he doesn't react appropriately in the moment, he later asks his mother if the salve she uses for his growing pains would work for cramps, and the two make up a "feel better bag". Elio's father's toxic masculinity shows itself when he takes his son to the cock fights, but he later see the error of his ways and creates a Brothers Rising group of fathers and sons that get together to discuss various issues and become better men. Camellia breaks up with Elio, and starts dating his friend Chava, but when Elio finds out that Chava is forcing Camellia to kiss him, he steps in, even though he has trash talked her in the wake of their break up. When Elio and Chava are about to fight, Elio passes out, and a medical examination reveals that he has a heart problem. Will Elio be able to go forward with his life as a better young man with a healthy attitude ttowards relationships?
Strengths: Salazar wrote this to go along with The Moon Within, since she didn't see an analagous book for her son. Considering how many, many books there are about female puberty, especially menstruation, it really is rather surprising that there aren't more books about the subject from the male perspective. (Other than Blume's Then Again, Maybe I Won't, I can't think of any. And that's from 1971.) The descriptions walk the fine line between instructional and informative and cringe worthy in the best possible way; I would feel comfortable handing this to a young reader, since the language is clinical and circumspect.
Weaknesses: The Brothers Rising group seemed a bit odd; I can't see any group requiring men to strip down being successful in my neighborhood. At one point, a teacher talks to Elio about possibly being soul mates with Camellia; I try very hard to never make personal comments about students' relationships, because that can only get one in trouble. There were multiple mentions of "pedo face"; because there were a number of Spanish words included, which was great, I thought it might be Spanish, but my best guest is that it is derived from "pedophile" and means "an awkward smile", but I had trouble defining it correctly.
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who want a book about burgeoning romance and puberty like Bryant's Abby in Between: Ready or Not or Evans' Grow Up, Tahlia Wilkins, but from a male perspective.
January 10, 2024
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.
*Special thanks to NetGalley and Scholastic for this arc, which I received in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
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.
*Special thanks to NetGalley and Scholastic for this arc, which I received in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
February 21, 2024
I enjoyed reading this book! It reminded me of Judy Blume's "Are You There God? It's Me Margaret" but for young men. The author prefaced a good point about how there aren't many or any books that touch on the topics of boys coming of age in middle school, how they have just as many questions and "fears" as girls do as they learn to mature and grow with their bodies and friendships.
Written in verse this book is a fast read and hard to put down. You feel the same emotions from Elio coming through the words as he explains his thoughts and feelings. It reminded me of how some people see things differently. Some people see words or sounds/music as colors, numbers as colors, and so on.
Definitely a must-have for all libraries. Would be a great read-aloud for a class going through health class. A great way to bring up topics that may be hard for others to express and Elio is a great person to help others' voices come through.
@AidaSalazar @aida_writes #Ultraviolet #VerseNovels #AidaWrites #SchoolLibrary #SchoolLibrarians #ReadABook #Books #Read #MGReads MGBooks #MGLit #KidLit #KidLit #ElementaryBooks #ElemReads #NetGalley
Written in verse this book is a fast read and hard to put down. You feel the same emotions from Elio coming through the words as he explains his thoughts and feelings. It reminded me of how some people see things differently. Some people see words or sounds/music as colors, numbers as colors, and so on.
Definitely a must-have for all libraries. Would be a great read-aloud for a class going through health class. A great way to bring up topics that may be hard for others to express and Elio is a great person to help others' voices come through.
@AidaSalazar @aida_writes #Ultraviolet #VerseNovels #AidaWrites #SchoolLibrary #SchoolLibrarians #ReadABook #Books #Read #MGReads MGBooks #MGLit #KidLit #KidLit #ElementaryBooks #ElemReads #NetGalley
September 15, 2024
Stars: 4
Beautiful story telling. A young boy (teen) has his first date, kiss, and heartbreak.
I loved how he had a traditional family. And, he has younger siblings (Lol) with parents active in his life. There are teachings in this short book applicable to everyone. For a young person in need, this could be encouraging in simple day-to-day interactions.
I had the audiobook and thoroughly enjoyed the narration.
Thanks to my BookTube friend Alayna for asking me to read this with her.
Beautiful story telling. A young boy (teen) has his first date, kiss, and heartbreak.
I loved how he had a traditional family. And, he has younger siblings (Lol) with parents active in his life. There are teachings in this short book applicable to everyone. For a young person in need, this could be encouraging in simple day-to-day interactions.
I had the audiobook and thoroughly enjoyed the narration.
Thanks to my BookTube friend Alayna for asking me to read this with her.
May 12, 2025
Ok, disclaimer: this book is lovely and def written for upper middle grades but deals with some very mature themes, and uses pretty clear and direct language about those themes.
Topics include:
-maturation/puberty
-masturbation (termed self-touch)
-sexuality
-intimate partner violence/harassment
-consent
I don’t have children yet but I would feel confident letting my son or daughter read this WITH me to provide context and guidance.
This story is a modern book of poetry about growing up, specifically about growing up as a male Mexican American and all the cultural implications that go along with it. This story talks about “how boys today deal emotionally with leaving childhood and [enter] adolescence.” (Author’s notes).
I liked this story because it felt like I was learning a lot about a culture that was so different from mine (mainly matriarchal influences, African American, southern, Christian, female), yet so similar in some of the experiences. I liked seeing through the eyes of someone else, trying to sympathize with their world, trying to connect with their lived experiences. I liked the language and the art of the story, the way the author plays with color to represent deep emotions, the inclusion of Spanish and Hispanic cultures, I so enjoyed the realness I felt.
I did not like some of the language they used around feminism…it felt too…blatant? Like I wish there was more nuance around the topic? On that point, I feel like the authors tone was a bit too permissive of some of Camelia’s negative behavior??? Like she does some things that are played down that i think should have been addressed. Additionally, she calls Elio out for “mansplaining” things that, in my opinion, are clear examples of him trying to encourage her to do the right thing??? Like I did not like that. I can agree that women and girls have obstacles they must overcome that are different from boys, however I felt the tone that Camelia took was a bit rude?? And not helpful??
Overall, Ultraviolet was punchy, informative, heartfelt and entrancing. The way that it enthusiastically spoke about changing and growing up was refreshing. I liked it.
Topics include:
-maturation/puberty
-masturbation (termed self-touch)
-sexuality
-intimate partner violence/harassment
-consent
I don’t have children yet but I would feel confident letting my son or daughter read this WITH me to provide context and guidance.
This story is a modern book of poetry about growing up, specifically about growing up as a male Mexican American and all the cultural implications that go along with it. This story talks about “how boys today deal emotionally with leaving childhood and [enter] adolescence.” (Author’s notes).
I liked this story because it felt like I was learning a lot about a culture that was so different from mine (mainly matriarchal influences, African American, southern, Christian, female), yet so similar in some of the experiences. I liked seeing through the eyes of someone else, trying to sympathize with their world, trying to connect with their lived experiences. I liked the language and the art of the story, the way the author plays with color to represent deep emotions, the inclusion of Spanish and Hispanic cultures, I so enjoyed the realness I felt.
I did not like some of the language they used around feminism…it felt too…blatant? Like I wish there was more nuance around the topic? On that point, I feel like the authors tone was a bit too permissive of some of Camelia’s negative behavior??? Like she does some things that are played down that i think should have been addressed. Additionally, she calls Elio out for “mansplaining” things that, in my opinion, are clear examples of him trying to encourage her to do the right thing??? Like I did not like that. I can agree that women and girls have obstacles they must overcome that are different from boys, however I felt the tone that Camelia took was a bit rude?? And not helpful??
Overall, Ultraviolet was punchy, informative, heartfelt and entrancing. The way that it enthusiastically spoke about changing and growing up was refreshing. I liked it.
December 2, 2024
4 stars as a book that honestly grapples with male adolescence. We need more of them written with such honesty and care! But I would say it’s only 2.5 - three stars for the way the characters aren’t allowed to be fully flawed or messy. Young teenagers can be extremely self-absorbed, toxic masculinity is pernicious, and hormones make the best of us a little unhinged. Yet these teens are either scolded for not being feminist/thoughtful enough, portrayed as already perfect enough to call everyone out on their mistakes while making none of their own, or flawed to the point that every step they take has to be mediated by an adult. The lack of agency was odd. And the female characters in particular seemed to be given a pass on any missteps or hurtful behavior, giving the impression women (young or old) already know how to do everything well. I think the points made about consent, empathy, healthy relationships, etc. would have been made better by allowing more messy humanity to exist in each character’s journey.
January 3, 2025
It was good. The book addresses some things that are important for kids, especially boys going through puberty. Couldn't tell if the protagonist has synesthesia or not, but it is a very interesting way to describe his feelings.
Unfortunately, the book tells a lot of lies and does so in a matter-of-fact way, and it is disturbing. It makes me feel that the author is agenda-driven, writing a book not to help preteens get through the beginnings of puberty but rather writing one to turn them into left-wing ideologs. And the "spiritual experience" they introduce is rather insulting.
Unfortunately, the book tells a lot of lies and does so in a matter-of-fact way, and it is disturbing. It makes me feel that the author is agenda-driven, writing a book not to help preteens get through the beginnings of puberty but rather writing one to turn them into left-wing ideologs. And the "spiritual experience" they introduce is rather insulting.
July 2, 2024
Middle school appropriate. I loved seeing a story about healthy relationships and how to handle emotions for boys. The tension between wanting to “man up” and wanting to be respectful or even express emotions like crying felt realistic. The scenario that the main character faces also felt realistic. I think the culture the book was rooted in also helped the book not feel preachy. A really positive read.
September 1, 2024
This is a little on the nose, but probably not so much so that it won't accomplish it's goals with the target audience. I love a novel in verse, I love a coming of age story, and this fills a much needed goal of teaching young boys how to experience emotions and treat their partners and evaluate the lessons the culture around them teaches. I loved seeing growth from the dad, too! Definitely need more stories for young folks that also show parents are still learning.
December 15, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5. A really good look at what’s going on for an eighth grade boy as he hits puberty, navigates his body changing, his feelings for a girl, toxic male friend behavior, and how to be a good dude. While I thought the talks about consent were a little preachy and after-school-special-y, it’s a nice addition to library collections for middle school boys. Plus, it’s written in verse! Recommended for grades 7+.
January 27, 2025
I enjoyed the story but have mixed feelings about a female author writing from the perspective of a pubescent boy. I’d love to hear from some male readers what their thoughts are on this book. It’s definitely filling a void in middle grade literature—there are so few books that tackle puberty from a male perspective, so I commend the author for her contribution as well as for tackling topics of toxic masculinity and consent!
August 9, 2025
3.5 stars...I liked this one but I'm not sure it's something I would read again. I liked the way it addressed toxic masculinity and I found the descriptions of love and heartbreak really interesting. Glad this book exists and would be a great read I think for middle schoolers.
October 7, 2025
Aida Salazar is quickly becoming a favorite. The way she deftly handles issues of masculinity, machismo, and consent while keeping the characters so real and nuanced is some of the best I've ever read.
June 3, 2025
This was an interesting short read about what it means to actually be vulnerable as a young man, to be accepting of your friends (and more importantly when not to), and what love and heartbreak can feel like if they're new to you.
Would recommend to anyone who's a fan of Elizabeth Acevedo, Jason Reynolds, or Nic Stone.
Would recommend to anyone who's a fan of Elizabeth Acevedo, Jason Reynolds, or Nic Stone.
December 8, 2025
tender!
March 13, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and Scholastic for an advanced e-book copy in exchange for an honest review.
"Ultraviolet" is a novel in verse featuring a male, Indigenous Mexican American main character, Elio, as he starts eighth grade and learns to deal with first love, heartbreak, puberty, masculinity, and vulnerability. Ultraviolet shines for its sometimes angsty, sometimes deeply thoughtful, and often witty first-person voice--which to me felt like an authentic representation of the 8th grade male mind (farts and growing pains included). Salazar really grapples with what it means to be a young man today, to respect women in a world of machismo sensibilities. I was especially taken by the scenes of the Brothers Rising group, depicting an Indigenous approach to ritual and relationship. This book felt familiar as a depiction of adolescence while being fully relevant to today, dealing with issues of feminism, patriarchy, queerness (if minimal), and social media--even tackling the dangerous impact of an influencer akin to a real figure many will be familiar with.
"Ultraviolet" is a novel in verse featuring a male, Indigenous Mexican American main character, Elio, as he starts eighth grade and learns to deal with first love, heartbreak, puberty, masculinity, and vulnerability. Ultraviolet shines for its sometimes angsty, sometimes deeply thoughtful, and often witty first-person voice--which to me felt like an authentic representation of the 8th grade male mind (farts and growing pains included). Salazar really grapples with what it means to be a young man today, to respect women in a world of machismo sensibilities. I was especially taken by the scenes of the Brothers Rising group, depicting an Indigenous approach to ritual and relationship. This book felt familiar as a depiction of adolescence while being fully relevant to today, dealing with issues of feminism, patriarchy, queerness (if minimal), and social media--even tackling the dangerous impact of an influencer akin to a real figure many will be familiar with.
April 21, 2024
This one is good and fills a largely unexplored niche in books for kids this age. It’s at its best when the story is moving, but unfortunately the story is consistently interrupted with the author’s voice inserting “teachable moments” language. Are issues such as consent, toxic masculinity, social media, and allyship important? Absolutely. But kids are smarter than this book (and many others written for them) give them credit for. Let the story deliver the message, writers! We don’t need science teachers (that was a bizarre scene), parents, mystical non-binary healers, wise mothers, and wildly articulate girlfriends all showing up with all the buzzwords to hammer it home.
March 28, 2025
Many great talking points; some mature topics
February 27, 2025
I'm giving this book 2.5 stars - an extra .5 for being "one of the few books that talk about teenage boys and how to handle emotions". Otherwise it was written well, but the storyline left a lot to be desired.
I am the mother of boys and I can't imagine forcing them to apologize to the girl who cheated on them and risk their health for another person (shouldn't matter that it is a girl) who treated them poorly, then continually says that whatever they do is wrong or "mansplaining". The person that needed to be punished (though not in the way she was) for her actions was Camellia. If it were my kid in this situation I would have discussed it with them but I would never force them to be the "bigger man" (and oh, the toxic masculinity was all from the dad and his friends, and Chava) and get involved in someone else's relationship. The adults in this situation should have been the ones to solve it, not Elio.
I can't imagine wanting to read anything else by this author if scapegoating the main character is her go to writing style.
I am the mother of boys and I can't imagine forcing them to apologize to the girl who cheated on them and risk their health for another person (shouldn't matter that it is a girl) who treated them poorly, then continually says that whatever they do is wrong or "mansplaining". The person that needed to be punished (though not in the way she was) for her actions was Camellia. If it were my kid in this situation I would have discussed it with them but I would never force them to be the "bigger man" (and oh, the toxic masculinity was all from the dad and his friends, and Chava) and get involved in someone else's relationship. The adults in this situation should have been the ones to solve it, not Elio.
I can't imagine wanting to read anything else by this author if scapegoating the main character is her go to writing style.
May 15, 2024
I had a really hard time with this book. I liked all of the things that it talked about for boys: puberty, consent, toxic masculinity, but I really struggled with how it was presented. I found the idea of seeing the world in ultraviolet colors very confusing. I do think that books about puberty and boys emotions are needed in middle grade writing -- I just can't see many of my boys picking this book up, or even following what was happening in the story.
October 26, 2024
This is someone's book for sure, but it's not mine. I found it pretty cheesy overall, but it's also rare to find a book that talks so frankly about puberty, first love, and generational/societal norms changing. If someone needs to be hit over the head with some morals, this might be a good book for them. I just didn't vibe with it.
April 19, 2024
It's such a wonderful story about a boy coming of age and all the ups and downs that come with it. I laughed and cried at Elio's experiences.
February 17, 2024
Richie’s Picks: ULTRAVIOLET by Aida Salazar, Scholastic/Scholastic Press April 2024, 304p., ISBN: 978-1-338-77565-5
“We're talking away
I don't know what I'm to say
I'll say it anyway
Today is another day to find you
Shyin' away
Oh, I'll be comin' for your love, okay”
– A-ha, “Take On Me” (1985)
“Ultraviolet
Who invented love, anyway?
Had to be a girl, right?
Had to be.
Cause I don’t get it.
Who can understand
the feelings of shimmering sol
that swallows anything
smart you wanna say
and tangles your blushing
nerves up inside your growling guts
so bad, you almost wanna fart
so bad, your skin turns all goose bumpy?
Just by looking at the brown besos
of her eyes, the embers of her cheeks,
hearing the sound of her voice in the key of F
entering your ears, taking root inside
the blob of your thirteen-year-old dude brain
and washing everything you see
with a reel of colors beyond the spectrum
red,
orange,
yellow,
green,
blue,
indigo,
violet.
More than that.
Ultraviolet.
Glow in the dark outrageous.
It’s what I see when Camelia is around.
Is this what it feels like to be
in love?”
ULTRAVIOLET, a stand-alone companion to Ms. Salizar’s award-winning THE MOON WITHIN (2019), is a tale of eighth-grade love and a stellar introduction to the physiology (and sometimes toxicity) of male adolescence. It’s a tale that begins so beautifully, and never once lets up.
“‘And you are a flower.
My flower, Camelia.’
Camelia scrunches her nose at me
like she is smelling something foul.
Let’s get something straight, Elio.
It’s cool you see all this color
but I’m nobody’s flower,
boys don’t own girls.
My lowrider heart
crashes against
the hydrant of my spine
and I feel like a corny,
stupid junkyard car.
But it revs back up
when she lands a kiss
with her silky soft lips
right on
mine.
Then gives me
a hemp friendship bracelet
she made
just for me.”
But, like most eighth-grade, puppy dog romances, this one is not destined to last. And Elio Solis is going to face bigger challenges than getting Camelia back into his arms again.
Through reading about Elio’s reactions of jealousy, despair, and frustration, guys fortunate enough to find and read this gem will have tools to better understand their rapidly-changing bodies, and to sidestep a lot of the bitterness and antisocial behavior in which Elio engages (and which his mom, several of his good friends, and Camelia all call him on). Elio is fortunate to become part of a father-son men’s circle, and can thereby learn to process so much of what he’s dealing with.
ULTRAVIOLET is a distinguished, lyrical, important, and memorable read for tweens. Particularly, given the tale’s multiple conversations about consent, this one you want to see in every elementary- and middle school collection.
Richie Partington, MLIS
Richie's Picks http://richiespicks.pbworks.com
https://www.facebook.com/richiespicks/
richiepartington@gmail.com
“We're talking away
I don't know what I'm to say
I'll say it anyway
Today is another day to find you
Shyin' away
Oh, I'll be comin' for your love, okay”
– A-ha, “Take On Me” (1985)
“Ultraviolet
Who invented love, anyway?
Had to be a girl, right?
Had to be.
Cause I don’t get it.
Who can understand
the feelings of shimmering sol
that swallows anything
smart you wanna say
and tangles your blushing
nerves up inside your growling guts
so bad, you almost wanna fart
so bad, your skin turns all goose bumpy?
Just by looking at the brown besos
of her eyes, the embers of her cheeks,
hearing the sound of her voice in the key of F
entering your ears, taking root inside
the blob of your thirteen-year-old dude brain
and washing everything you see
with a reel of colors beyond the spectrum
red,
orange,
yellow,
green,
blue,
indigo,
violet.
More than that.
Ultraviolet.
Glow in the dark outrageous.
It’s what I see when Camelia is around.
Is this what it feels like to be
in love?”
ULTRAVIOLET, a stand-alone companion to Ms. Salizar’s award-winning THE MOON WITHIN (2019), is a tale of eighth-grade love and a stellar introduction to the physiology (and sometimes toxicity) of male adolescence. It’s a tale that begins so beautifully, and never once lets up.
“‘And you are a flower.
My flower, Camelia.’
Camelia scrunches her nose at me
like she is smelling something foul.
Let’s get something straight, Elio.
It’s cool you see all this color
but I’m nobody’s flower,
boys don’t own girls.
My lowrider heart
crashes against
the hydrant of my spine
and I feel like a corny,
stupid junkyard car.
But it revs back up
when she lands a kiss
with her silky soft lips
right on
mine.
Then gives me
a hemp friendship bracelet
she made
just for me.”
But, like most eighth-grade, puppy dog romances, this one is not destined to last. And Elio Solis is going to face bigger challenges than getting Camelia back into his arms again.
Through reading about Elio’s reactions of jealousy, despair, and frustration, guys fortunate enough to find and read this gem will have tools to better understand their rapidly-changing bodies, and to sidestep a lot of the bitterness and antisocial behavior in which Elio engages (and which his mom, several of his good friends, and Camelia all call him on). Elio is fortunate to become part of a father-son men’s circle, and can thereby learn to process so much of what he’s dealing with.
ULTRAVIOLET is a distinguished, lyrical, important, and memorable read for tweens. Particularly, given the tale’s multiple conversations about consent, this one you want to see in every elementary- and middle school collection.
Richie Partington, MLIS
Richie's Picks http://richiespicks.pbworks.com
https://www.facebook.com/richiespicks/
richiepartington@gmail.com
April 23, 2025
I’m not even giving this book the benefit of the doubt and give it 2 stars for originality. In my eyes, all Salazar did with this book is find an area to not so very subtly push her agenda on young minds. (I’m 13, so I’m speaking from a kid’s view).
Anyway, to get started on these bold accusations, we‘ll start with the most problematic character…Camille
She seems friendly at first, but as the book went in I seemed to dislike her even more.
First, no middle school couple kisses within one month of dating…second, I found her very poorly written and just scrapped together. Her use of the word “mansplaining” is repetitive and honestly just disrespectful. If anything, Aida Salazar pushed the entire book about “Toxic Masculinity” but Camille was definitely the most toxic character. She got angry at him after he…had fun with his friends and didn’t text her. So she turned right around and cheated with someone equally toxic? Yeah…big no…
And going back to the “Mansplaining” thing, one of her most cringeworthy moments using it was when she was talking about what her affair, Chava, did to her. The narrator was, in summary, like “Well you need to end the relationship” and that’s when she pulled the mansplaining card, well if it really was obvious to you, why didn’t you end it immediately…?
Next, Mom.
I do appreciate Mom’s care of her son’s problems throughout the book, but…well…
At one point she tells our narrator, Elio, that she’s raising him to be a feminist.
WHO DOES THAT?
Moving on before I have a crash out, she has a good amount of insight on his Camille problems. But again, she kept using those two special words of her’s…Toxic Masculinity…
She tells him he’s being toxic when he calls Camille a piece of trash. This is by no means very kind or respectful but she has to remember he’s a teenager who had his girlfriend cheat on him for a sketchy reason.
Next, she mentions how Popps believes in Patriarchal Rule or whatever, but the book just shows him supporting his son and also making sure he knows how to support his son. He is a bit…off. Especially with the… cockfighting? Like why was this…why did you bring this into the book?
Other than that, the book pushes Trans, Non-Binary, Gay….none of us are any of that. And Camille’s mention of maybe not liking boys is a huge ick after she made out with two boys in 2 months.
In all, this book, as a teenager, definitely does not represent us.
So, as a member of the teenager community we would like to decline your offer to represent us after careful consideration. Nice try, Salazar.
Anyway, to get started on these bold accusations, we‘ll start with the most problematic character…Camille
She seems friendly at first, but as the book went in I seemed to dislike her even more.
First, no middle school couple kisses within one month of dating…second, I found her very poorly written and just scrapped together. Her use of the word “mansplaining” is repetitive and honestly just disrespectful. If anything, Aida Salazar pushed the entire book about “Toxic Masculinity” but Camille was definitely the most toxic character. She got angry at him after he…had fun with his friends and didn’t text her. So she turned right around and cheated with someone equally toxic? Yeah…big no…
And going back to the “Mansplaining” thing, one of her most cringeworthy moments using it was when she was talking about what her affair, Chava, did to her. The narrator was, in summary, like “Well you need to end the relationship” and that’s when she pulled the mansplaining card, well if it really was obvious to you, why didn’t you end it immediately…?
Next, Mom.
I do appreciate Mom’s care of her son’s problems throughout the book, but…well…
At one point she tells our narrator, Elio, that she’s raising him to be a feminist.
WHO DOES THAT?
Moving on before I have a crash out, she has a good amount of insight on his Camille problems. But again, she kept using those two special words of her’s…Toxic Masculinity…
She tells him he’s being toxic when he calls Camille a piece of trash. This is by no means very kind or respectful but she has to remember he’s a teenager who had his girlfriend cheat on him for a sketchy reason.
Next, she mentions how Popps believes in Patriarchal Rule or whatever, but the book just shows him supporting his son and also making sure he knows how to support his son. He is a bit…off. Especially with the… cockfighting? Like why was this…why did you bring this into the book?
Other than that, the book pushes Trans, Non-Binary, Gay….none of us are any of that. And Camille’s mention of maybe not liking boys is a huge ick after she made out with two boys in 2 months.
In all, this book, as a teenager, definitely does not represent us.
So, as a member of the teenager community we would like to decline your offer to represent us after careful consideration. Nice try, Salazar.
October 27, 2024
A middle grade verse novel exploring first love, puberty, and the struggles that all boys experience as they grow older.
Elio Solis has always been scared of girls. But suddenly, he sees Camelia in a new light and his world begins to glow brighter. Soon, Elio and Camelia are dating and they have to work through all of the tense feelings that come with tween love.
I recently read "The Moon Within" by the same author. This book has very similar vibes, but rather than a female protagonist, "Ultraviolet" explores puberty and young love from a boy's perspective. I've never read another book that explores puberty from a male point of view, so that was very refreshing. I think it is very important that everyone feels seen in every stage of their lives, and this book works towards remedying that. Our society tends to force men and boys to shackle their true feelings, so having books that show that it's alright to be vulnerable is very important.
The rawness and honesty in this book is much appreciated. Elio deals with so many complicated feelings, especially when it comes to how he should be treating Camelia, what he should do with his first sexually charged feelings, and his hatred and confusion towards the toxic masculinity of his classmates and pops. I think many kids can see themselves in a character like Elio, even if they don't relate to every single circumstance he goes through.
For me though, this book had a few things that just rubbed me the wrong way. One of them being cockfighting, which is like dog fighting, but with roosters. I just don't really see why this was needed. I know it was trying to showcase Elio's dad's masculinity and how toxic it could be, but cockfighting seemed a bit of an extreme way to do this. I also wasn't a huge fan of Elio's teacher that told him that Camelia may be his soulmate. That made me a tad uncomfortable. This book also features cheating, which I always hate in books, even though it was showcased in a horrible light and can be viewed as a warning to children never to cheat. Those are the main ones, but so many things in this book had me asking some odd questions.
Overall, I really appreciate what "Ultraviolet" set out to do. The messages about young love, consent, toxic masculinity, puberty, etc are very solid, but this book didn't come without its issues. It was a fine read, but I think I could use another book that covers similar topic matter to be my go-to recommendation.
Elio Solis has always been scared of girls. But suddenly, he sees Camelia in a new light and his world begins to glow brighter. Soon, Elio and Camelia are dating and they have to work through all of the tense feelings that come with tween love.
I recently read "The Moon Within" by the same author. This book has very similar vibes, but rather than a female protagonist, "Ultraviolet" explores puberty and young love from a boy's perspective. I've never read another book that explores puberty from a male point of view, so that was very refreshing. I think it is very important that everyone feels seen in every stage of their lives, and this book works towards remedying that. Our society tends to force men and boys to shackle their true feelings, so having books that show that it's alright to be vulnerable is very important.
The rawness and honesty in this book is much appreciated. Elio deals with so many complicated feelings, especially when it comes to how he should be treating Camelia, what he should do with his first sexually charged feelings, and his hatred and confusion towards the toxic masculinity of his classmates and pops. I think many kids can see themselves in a character like Elio, even if they don't relate to every single circumstance he goes through.
For me though, this book had a few things that just rubbed me the wrong way. One of them being cockfighting, which is like dog fighting, but with roosters. I just don't really see why this was needed. I know it was trying to showcase Elio's dad's masculinity and how toxic it could be, but cockfighting seemed a bit of an extreme way to do this. I also wasn't a huge fan of Elio's teacher that told him that Camelia may be his soulmate. That made me a tad uncomfortable. This book also features cheating, which I always hate in books, even though it was showcased in a horrible light and can be viewed as a warning to children never to cheat. Those are the main ones, but so many things in this book had me asking some odd questions.
Overall, I really appreciate what "Ultraviolet" set out to do. The messages about young love, consent, toxic masculinity, puberty, etc are very solid, but this book didn't come without its issues. It was a fine read, but I think I could use another book that covers similar topic matter to be my go-to recommendation.
January 15, 2025
A kaleidoscope of colors lit up his world whenever he was close to Camelia. It happened the minute she walked into his life. This bright display of color awoke something within Elio, and he knew immediately that Camelia was “the one”. She said yes when he asked her to be his girl and things changed after that. Paco, his best friend hooked up with Laurette and now, the four of them hang out as couples.
In previous years, the boy’s only group chats centered around mundane subjects. But it’s now 8th grade and with hormones churning, the boys are chatting it up about girls. Everything about girls is being discussed. I couldn’t believe how much Elio had fallen in love with Camelia already. He was infatuated with her. I was worried about their relationship, and I started to question where things were headed. I felt that Elio was smitten with Camelia, yet she acted like she wasn’t aware of his deep feelings, or she just wasn’t concerned with how he felt.
Pops suggests a new group to Elio, a group where they can discuss “manly things and indigenous Mexican” topics. Although Elio doesn’t like the sound of it, it might be exactly what he needs. With so much happening and his emotions running high, Elio needs an outlet. Elio was with Camelia, or at least he thought he was until Chava comes waltzing into the picture. Talk about drama! What is up with Camelia, is she blind? I was getting more frustrated with Camelia the longer and Chava……I just wanted to punch him. Elio needs to let them be but he can’t and its getting out of control…… the train is coming off the track………
What a book……lots of emotions and drama happening inside this book, told in verse. Elio is in love; it’s his first love and it’s everything. Nothing is sacred as he discloses his life. He hits on the physical, emotional, and “manly” side of things, a guy who tells it like it is. For older audiences, this book hits on some mature topics. I love a book that pulls intense emotions out of me. 4 stars
In previous years, the boy’s only group chats centered around mundane subjects. But it’s now 8th grade and with hormones churning, the boys are chatting it up about girls. Everything about girls is being discussed. I couldn’t believe how much Elio had fallen in love with Camelia already. He was infatuated with her. I was worried about their relationship, and I started to question where things were headed. I felt that Elio was smitten with Camelia, yet she acted like she wasn’t aware of his deep feelings, or she just wasn’t concerned with how he felt.
Pops suggests a new group to Elio, a group where they can discuss “manly things and indigenous Mexican” topics. Although Elio doesn’t like the sound of it, it might be exactly what he needs. With so much happening and his emotions running high, Elio needs an outlet. Elio was with Camelia, or at least he thought he was until Chava comes waltzing into the picture. Talk about drama! What is up with Camelia, is she blind? I was getting more frustrated with Camelia the longer and Chava……I just wanted to punch him. Elio needs to let them be but he can’t and its getting out of control…… the train is coming off the track………
What a book……lots of emotions and drama happening inside this book, told in verse. Elio is in love; it’s his first love and it’s everything. Nothing is sacred as he discloses his life. He hits on the physical, emotional, and “manly” side of things, a guy who tells it like it is. For older audiences, this book hits on some mature topics. I love a book that pulls intense emotions out of me. 4 stars
April 10, 2024
Salazar's author's note sums it up-- she wrote this for the absence of boy-centered middle school stories that center on budding romantic relationships and familial relationships. Because the book balances these two with care and precision, I sat still until I was done with it- start to finish in one sitting because I had to.
Elio is an astonishing main character, complex, three-dimensional. It's his eighth grade year and he's fallen in love with Camelia. His love colors his world ultraviolet. He gets to know her, asks her to be his girlfriend, and learns from his family what it means to be in a relationship and care for a woman, but he makes a few mistakes and those mistakes alter him both because he's learning about what toxic masculinity looks like, how to handle big emotions without disparaging others but simply leaning into those feelings, and maintaining strong friendships.
(And I love that when he first went up to Camelia she was drawing Witch Hat Atelier-- ah!!)
It's the reason verse novels are a format to be reckoned with- I wouldn't have wanted this book written in any other way. The emotions are felt on the page and within the reader. And the summary includes comparisons to Jason Reynolds and Adib Khorram- absolutely yes- one of my favorite things about Khorram's books is the internal dialogue of the main character so that readers can see themselves in the book characters and empathize and connect.
"Tapping Tita / Tita comes in / and sits down / next to Rosie. / Two stink bugs / turned butterflies. / She taps my back softly. / Her hands feel like / soothing drops of rain, falling / when, she says, / Crying is okay. Is okay, Elio. For everyone."
"Rotten Things / A list of rotten things I wish / for Chava and Camelia: / They get stung by a thousand bees. / They stink like eight-day no-shower smelly boxer shorts. / They face-plant into a path of poison oak. / ... I wish they never see ultraviolet."
Elio is an astonishing main character, complex, three-dimensional. It's his eighth grade year and he's fallen in love with Camelia. His love colors his world ultraviolet. He gets to know her, asks her to be his girlfriend, and learns from his family what it means to be in a relationship and care for a woman, but he makes a few mistakes and those mistakes alter him both because he's learning about what toxic masculinity looks like, how to handle big emotions without disparaging others but simply leaning into those feelings, and maintaining strong friendships.
(And I love that when he first went up to Camelia she was drawing Witch Hat Atelier-- ah!!)
It's the reason verse novels are a format to be reckoned with- I wouldn't have wanted this book written in any other way. The emotions are felt on the page and within the reader. And the summary includes comparisons to Jason Reynolds and Adib Khorram- absolutely yes- one of my favorite things about Khorram's books is the internal dialogue of the main character so that readers can see themselves in the book characters and empathize and connect.
"Tapping Tita / Tita comes in / and sits down / next to Rosie. / Two stink bugs / turned butterflies. / She taps my back softly. / Her hands feel like / soothing drops of rain, falling / when, she says, / Crying is okay. Is okay, Elio. For everyone."
"Rotten Things / A list of rotten things I wish / for Chava and Camelia: / They get stung by a thousand bees. / They stink like eight-day no-shower smelly boxer shorts. / They face-plant into a path of poison oak. / ... I wish they never see ultraviolet."
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