Benjamin Alire Sáenz

Benjamin Alire Sáenz

Benjamin Alire Sáenz was born in Old Picacho, Dona Ana County,, USA on August 16th, 1954 and passed away at the age of 71 on July 28th, 2026.

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Benjamin Alire Sáenz Stats: The highest rated book by Benjamin Alire Sáenz on Book Notification is Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe, the first novel in the Aristotle and Dante series. The second-highest rated book is Aristotle and Dante Dive into the Waters of the World (Aristotle and Dante #2).

The most read book by Benjamin Alire Sáenz on Book Notification is Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe, the first novel in the Aristotle and Dante series. The second most read book is Aristotle and Dante Dive into the Waters of the World (Aristotle and Dante #2).

Below is a complete list of Benjamin Alire Sáenz books in publication and chronological order, broken down by series. The most popular series by Benjamin Alire Sáenz is the Aristotle and Dante Series.

List of Aristotle and Dante Books in Publication Order

ReadTitle Avg.YearBook Link
1
8.2
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe
2012
Go
2
7.8
Aristotle and Dante Dive into the Waters of the World
2021
Go

List of Standalone Novels in Publication Order

Themes of people confronting painful pasts and finding the possibility of salvation and freedom.

ReadTitle Avg.YearBook Link
1
8
Carry Me Like Water
1995
Go
2
The House of Forgetting
1997
Go
3
8
In Perfect Light
2005
Go
4
6
Sammy and Juliana in Hollywood
2006
Go
5
Names on a Map
2008
Go
6
6
He Forgot to Say Goodbye
2008
Go
7
8
Last Night I Sang to the Monster
2009
Go
8
9.5
The Inexplicable Logic of My Life
2017
Go
9
When the World Was Happy
2026
Go

List of Poetry Collections in Publication Order

Extensive poetry collections from Benjamin Sáenz.

ReadTitle Avg.YearBook Link
1
Calendar of Dust
1991
Go
2
Flowers for the Broken
1992
Go
3
Dark and Perfect Angels
1995
Go
4
Elegies in Blue
2002
Go
5
Dreaming the End of War
2006
Go
6
The Book of What Remains
2010
Go
7
10
Everything Begins and Ends at the Kentucky Club
2012
Go
8
The Last Cigarette on Earth
2017
Go

List of Picture Books in Publication Order

Features illustrated poetry and prose for young readers.

ReadTitle Avg.YearBook Link
1
A Gift from Papá Diego
1988
Go
2
A Perfect Season for Dreaming / Un tiempo perfecto para soñar
2008
Go
3
The Dog Who Loved Tortillas
2009
Go
4
The Story of Me
2019
Go

List of Non-Fiction in Publication Order

Examines the importance of language and finding writer's voices.

ReadTitle Avg.YearBook Link
1
Finding Your Literary Voice
1999
Go

List of Benjamin Alire Sáenz Anthologies in Publication Order

#ReadTitle Avg.YearBook Link
1
Given: Photographs and Dispatches from El Paso Cemeteries
2026
Go
Show All Anthologies
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Benjamin Alire Sáenz

Benjamin Alire Sáenz was born on August 16th, 1954. Benjamin passed away July 28th, 2026 at 71 years old. Benjamin Alire Sáenz was born in Old Picacho, Dona Ana County,, USA.

Benjamin Alire Sáenz is known for writing in the Young Adult Fiction, Literary Fiction, Children's Books, and Poetry genres.

Benjamin Alire Sáenz had written 9 standalone novels, starting with Carry Me Like Water in 1995. The most recently released novel was When the World Was Happy, which was released in 2026.

Benjamin Alire Sáenz also wrote the Poetry Collections series which has 8 books including Calendar of Dust and Flowers for the Broken.

Benjamin Alire Sáenz: Awards & Accolades

Sáenz's books have won multiple awards, Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe won the Stonewall Book Award, Children's and Young Adult, in 2013. Aristotle and Dante Dive into the Waters of the World won the Audie Award, Best Male Narrator, in 2022.

Benjamin Alire Sáenz books have also been nominated for multiple awards, Sammy and Juliana in Hollywood was nominated for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize, Best Young Adult Literature, in 2004. Everything Begins and Ends at the Kentucky Club was nominated for the Stonewall Book Award, Literature, in 2014. The Inexplicable Logic of My Life was nominated for the Goodreads Awards, Best Young Adult Fiction, in 2017. Aristotle and Dante Dive into the Waters of the World was nominated for the Goodreads Awards, Best Young Adult Fiction, in 2021.

Benjamin Alire Sáenz: Lists & Other Mentions

  • Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe:
    1. Parade: 125 Best Romance Books of All Time Selection in 2024.
    2. Time Magazine: The 100 Best YA Books of All Time Selection in 2021.

Related Authors

Fans of Benjamin Alire Sáenz also enjoy these authors:

  1. Angie Thomas, author of The Hate U Give Series.
  2. Alice Oseman, author of the Heartstopper Series.
  3. E. Lockhart, author of the We Were Liars Series.
  4. Alice Walker, author of the Color Purple Series.
  5. Jennifer E. Smith, author of: The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight.
  6. John Green, author of: The Fault in Our Stars.
  7. Adam Silvera, author of the Death-Cast Series.
  8. Adriana Trigiani, author of: The Shoemaker's Wife.
  9. S.E. Hinton, author of: The Outsiders.
  10. Gayle Forman, author of the If I Stay Series.

Benjamin Alire Sáenz: F.A.Q

When was Benjamin Alire Sáenz Born?

Benjamin Alire Sáenz was born on August 16th, 1954.

When did Benjamin Alire Sáenz die?

Benjamin Alire Sáenz died on July 28th, 2026 at 71 years old.

Where was Benjamin Alire Sáenz Born?

Benjamin Alire Sáenz was born in Old Picacho, Dona Ana County,, USA.

What book awards has Benjamin Alire Sáenz won?

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe: Stonewall Book Award: Children's and Young Adult (2013).
Aristotle and Dante Dive into the Waters of the World: Audie Award: Best Male Narrator (2022).

What was the first book Benjamin Alire Sáenz wrote?

The first book written by Benjamin Alire Sáenz was A Gift from Papá Diego, published in 1988.

What was the most recent book Benjamin Alire Sáenz wrote?

His most recently released work was When the World Was Happy on October 13th, 2026.

What is the most popular book by Benjamin Alire Sáenz?

Based on the number of readers on Book Notification, the most popular Benjamin Alire Sáenz book is Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe. Here are his most popular books and their average ratings:
  1. Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe (8.24)
  2. Aristotle and Dante Dive into the Waters of the World (7.85)
  3. The Inexplicable Logic of My Life (9.50)
  4. In Perfect Light (8.00)
  5. Last Night I Sang to the Monster (8.00)

What genres does Benjamin Alire Sáenz Write?

Benjamin Alire Sáenz primarily writes in the Children's Books, Literary Fiction, Poetry, and Young Adult Fiction genres. His work includes sub-genres such as Coming-of-Age Fiction, Young Adult Romance, and Young Adult Contemporary Fiction.

How many books has Benjamin Alire Sáenz written?

Benjamin Alire Sáenz has written 24 books excluding contributions to anthologies. 2 books in the Aristotle and Dante Series, 9 Standalone Novels, 8 Poetry Collections, 4 books in the Picture Books, 1 Non-Fiction.

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