The First State Of Being
(Paperback)
Publishing Details
The First State Of Being
By (Author) Erin Entrada Kelly
HarperCollins Publishers Inc
HarperCollins
2nd July 2025
United States
Classifications
Children
Fiction
Childrens / Teenage fiction: Science fiction
Childrens / Teenage fiction: Friendship stories
Childrens / Teenage general interest: Inventors, inventions and experiments
Childrens / Teenage general interest: Time travel
Childrens / Teenage personal and social topics: Self-awareness and self-esteem
Childrens / Teenage personal and social topics: Personal safety
FIC
Physical Properties
Paperback
272
Description
WINNER OF THE NEWBERY MEDAL
A FINALIST FOR THE 2024 NATIONAL BOOK AWARD
A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
INDIE BESTSELLER
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 Childrens 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 Steads 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 everexcept 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 isnt where he belongs. When Ridge reveals that hes the worlds first time traveler, Michael and Gibby are stunned but curious. As Ridge immerses himself in 1999fascinated by microwaves, basketballs, and mallsMichael 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 wantsno, needsto 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.
