The First State of Being

By: Erin Entrada Kelly

Narrated by: Ramon de Ocampo

WINNER OF THE NEWBERY MEDAL

A FINALIST FOR THE 2024 NATIONAL BOOK AWARD

A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

ALA Notable Book for Children · 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 readers.

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

Loving the 90’s

So much fun to listen to with my kids. Interesting, fun, and intriguing. Loved Micheal’s character.

the ending

it was hard to understand the switching back and forth when Ridges family were talking

The vision of the world 200 yrs from now

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

The readers voice. I liked it.

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

the characters were beautiful developed and real

no dislikes. but i must generate enough worda to satisfy the 15 word minimum. one more word to go.