The First State of Being, Erin Entrada Kelly
The First State of Being, Erin Entrada Kelly
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The First State of Being

Author: Erin Entrada Kelly

Narrator: Ramon de Ocampo

Unabridged: 5 hr 5 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 03/05/2024

Synopsis

WINNER OF THE NEWBERY MEDALA FINALIST FOR THE 2024 NATIONAL BOOK AWARDA NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLERALA 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 ListWhen 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.

About Erin Entrada Kelly

Erin Entrada Kelly is the author of the Newbery Medal–winning novels Hello, Universe and The First State of Being, which was also named a finalist for the National Book Award. She received a Newbery Honor for her acclaimed novel We Dream of Space. Erin Entrada Kelly grew up in Lake Charles, Louisiana, and now lives in Delaware. She teaches in the MFA in writing for children and young adults program at Hamline University. Her short fiction has been nominated for the Philippines Free Press Literary Award for Short Fiction and the Pushcart Prize. Before becoming a children’s author, Erin Entrada Kelly worked as a journalist and magazine editor and received numerous awards for community service journalism, feature writing, and editing from the Louisiana Press Association and the Associated Press.Erin Entrada Kelly’s debut novel, Blackbird Fly, was a Kirkus Best Book of the Year, a School Library Journal Best Book of the Year, an ALSC Notable Book, and an Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature Honor Book. She is also the author of The Land of Forgotten Girls, winner of the Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature; You Go First, an Indie Next Pick; Lalani of the Distant Sea, an Indie Next Pick; Those Kids from Fawn Creek, named to numerous best-of-the-year lists; and five popular novels for younger readers, Maybe Maybe Marisol Rainey, Surely Surely Marisol Rainey, Only Only Marisol Rainey, Your Turn Marisol Rainey, and Felix Powell, Boy Dog, which she also illustrated. Erin Entrada Kelly’s acclaimed nonfiction debut, At Last She Stood, was the recipient of the Robert F. Sibert Honor. It tells the sweeping story of Filipino World War II guerrilla fighter, Josefina Guerrero.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Deb (Readerbuzz) on January 30, 2025

A strange new kid shows up at Michael's apartment complex. Michael has enough to worry about---his mom is working three jobs...he has a crush on his babysitter, Gibby...Michael's got bulleying problems at his new school...and will he and his mom be ready for Y2K---and now he has to help Ridge, who,......more

Goodreads review by Nicole on November 20, 2023

I had the immense pleasure of reading this before publication and I can only say it’s not often when I fall in love with characters so much I miss them a week after reading. I miss Michael, Gibby and Ridge. I’m a big fan of time travel, but only when it’s done right. It must be smart, heartfelt and......more

Goodreads review by Bethany on November 28, 2024

Twelve-year-old Michael Rosario’s life is turned upside down when he meets Ridge, a time traveler with a book that could change everything. As Michael grapples with the excitement of the future and the pull of his own desires, he must decide how far he’s willing to go for knowledge. I LOVED this book......more

Goodreads review by Josephine on March 23, 2024

I’d label this book in the genre of science fiction. The story is set in August 1999. Middle grade readers won’t understand the uncertainty of the world that year as computers were set to 00 on midnight and nothing anyone coukd do to change the fact. We were all on alert to see what would happen at......more

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