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The First State of Being

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The First State of Being

By: Erin Entrada Kelly
Narrated by: Ramon de Ocampo
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WINNER OF THE NEWBERY MEDAL

A FINALIST FOR THE 2024 NATIONAL BOOK AWARD

Chicago Public Library Best Fiction for Older Readers of 2024

Shelf Awareness Best Books of 2024 for Kids and Teens

BookPage Best Middle Grade of 2024

Common Sense Media Best Books of 2024

2025 Excellence in Children’s and Young Adult Science Fiction Notable List

When twelve-year-old Michael Rosario meets a mysterious boy from the future, his life is changed forever. From bestselling author Erin Entrada Kelly, also the winner of the Newbery Medal for Hello, Universe and a Newbery Honor for We Dream of Space, this novel explores themes of family, friendship, trust, and forgiveness. The First State of Being is for fans of Rebecca Stead’s When You Reach Me.

It's August 1999. For twelve-year-old Michael Rosario, life at Fox Run Apartments in Red Knot, Delaware, is as ordinary as ever—except for the looming Y2K crisis and his overwhelming crush on his sixteen-year-old babysitter, Gibby. But when a disoriented teenage boy named Ridge appears out of nowhere, Michael discovers there is more to life than stockpiling supplies and pining over Gibby.

It turns out that Ridge is carefree, confident, and bold, things Michael wishes he could be. Unlike Michael, however, Ridge isn’t where he belongs. When Ridge reveals that he’s the world’s first time traveler, Michael and Gibby are stunned but curious. As Ridge immerses himself in 1999—fascinated by microwaves, basketballs, and malls—Michael discovers that his new friend has a book that outlines the events of the next twenty years, and his curiosity morphs into something else: focused determination. Michael wants—no, needs—to get his hands on that book. How else can he prepare for the future? But how far is he willing to go to get it?

A story of time travel, friendship, found family, and first loves, this thematically rich novel is distinguished by its voice, character development, setting, and exploration of the issues that resonate with middle grade listeners.

Finalist for the National Book Award and Winner of the Newbery Medal.

©2024 Erin Entrada Kelly (P)2024 HarperCollins Publishers Best of 2024 Fiction Growing Up Growing Up & Facts of Life Science Fiction Science Fiction & Fantasy Social & Life Skills Time Travel Friendship
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no dislikes. but i must generate enough worda to satisfy the 15 word minimum. one more word to go.

the characters were beautiful developed and real

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A great time-travel story about Ridge, a 15-year-old boy from 2199, obsessed with the history lessons about the 1990s, who travels to a college town in Delaware in a time travel machine invented (but not yet tested) by his mother. There he meets Michael, a shy 12-year-old boy who’s worried about the impending Y2K crisis, and Gibby, his gregarious 16-year-old babysitter. They introduce him to the wonders of the ‘90s — Hot Pockets, Pop Tarts, shopping malls, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and microwave ovens. The well-plotted story about learning to live in the moment (“the first state of being”) is deep and funny by turns, and is perfect for 9-12 year old readers.

Riveting, original plot

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I love all the issues that were brought up. Anxiety, death, positivity, and the idea of First State of Being

The vision of the world 200 yrs from now

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I liked the readers voice and it was a good story and a great ending.

The readers voice. I liked it.

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This is my 5th book, Erin always has some great timeline that I can’t stop going back to her.

Erin never disappoints

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I wish when they go into the future in the story, I wish it wouldn’t be in the same chapter cause sometimes I got just a little bit confusing but that’s not audible‘s fault

The EGG (time travel thing)

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Great story to listen to on a long car ride. Likable characters, good sci-fy plot. Authentic details from 1999.

Realistic Time Travel!

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This is apparently not the author for me - see below for information on her other bestseller too.

The story was great except…. I am a teacher reviewing this to use in a 4th grade classroom. I cannot choose it because one of the side characters is listed over and over again as non-binary. I have no interest in throwing this term into the world of 9 and 10 year olds who, in my opinion, don’t need to know it. And, in my opinion, it’s their parents’ choice whether or not, and when or when not, to bring this up with children.

I also started a paperbook copy of the author’s “Hello Universe”. By page 38, one of the characters had used the word retarded or retardo at least 6 times. As a person who teaches students with intellectual disabilities, “normal” students, and gifted students, I find the use of this language (even from a “bully” character) disturbing. Most 9 year olds in my class haven’t heard the term and I certainly don’t want them to start using it.

All great EXCEPT…..

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This was a really different book, loved the story and the message. It includes a diverse group of characters.

Great, diverse, very different plot!

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I love how so many little things throughout the story all tied together at the end.

Fun time travel adventure

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