Final answer:
Ari and Dante first met at a swimming pool (option c) in the book 'Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe'. The pool is integral to the story, as it represents a place of self-discovery and relationship-building between the two main characters.
Step-by-step explanation:
Ari and Dante first met at a swimming pool. This encounter occurs in the book Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz, a coming-of-age story that explores the complex friendship and eventual romance between two Mexican-American teenagers, Aristotle 'Ari' Mendoza and Dante Quintana. The swimming pool is a significant setting in the novel as it's the place where both characters began their journey of self-discovery and profound connection. The novel's narrative centers around questions of identity, family, and understanding one's place in the world, themes that resonate with many readers, especially those who are navigating the tumultuous years of adolescence.
In this context, the swimming pool serves not just as a physical location, but as a metaphorical space where both characters can be true to themselves, and where the barriers they have built around themselves begin to dissolve. It's here that Dante offers to teach Ari to swim, setting off a summer that will change both their lives. As an important piece of literary fiction, Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe has received numerous accolades, including the Stonewall Book Award and the Michael L. Printz Honor for excellence in literature written for young adults.