{"product_id":"the-first-state-of-being-isbn-9780063467910","title":"The First State of Being","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWINNER OF THE NEWBERY MEDAL\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA FINALIST FOR THE 2024 NATIONAL BOOK AWARD\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eALA Notable Book for Children \u003c\/strong\u003e·\u003cstrong\u003e Chicago Public Library Best Fiction for Older Readers of 2024\u003c\/strong\u003e · \u003cstrong\u003eShelf Awareness Best Books of 2024 for Kids and Teens \u003c\/strong\u003e· \u003cstrong\u003eBookPage Best Middle Grade of 2024 \u003c\/strong\u003e· \u003cstrong\u003eCommon Sense Media Best Books of 2024 \u003c\/strong\u003e· \u003cstrong\u003e2025 Excellence in Children’s and Young Adult Science Fiction Notable List\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhen 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 \u003cem\u003eHello, Universe\u003c\/em\u003e and a Newbery Honor for \u003cem\u003eWe Dream of Space\u003c\/em\u003e, this novel explores themes of family, friendship, trust, and forgiveness. \u003cem\u003eThe First State of Being \u003c\/em\u003eis for fans of Rebecca Stead’s \u003cem\u003eWhen You Reach Me\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIt'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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIt 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, \u003cem\u003eneeds\u003c\/em\u003e—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?\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eFinalist for the National Book Award and Winner of the Newbery Medal.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e | \u003cp\u003e“Kelly neatly grounds the mind-bending what-ifs of cause, effect, and the nature of time with real, present relationships and situations. . . . A well-crafted adventure surrounding a big philosophical idea with a side of middle-grade romance. . . . Tantalizing.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eHorn Book Magazine\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Kelly (also a Newbery medalist, for \u003cem\u003eHello, Universe\u003c\/em\u003e) shines when acknowledging today’s readers’ justified fears while showing them that the key to surviving an uncertain road is traveling it in good company. As Ridge encourages Michael to occupy what he calls “the first state of being” — focusing on the here and now, not fixating on a future we can’t control — Michael forges friendships and comes to accept that 'not knowing is part of life.'” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eNew York Times Book Review\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Kelly has deftly assembled a community of empathetically rendered characters, making this an enjoyable, uplifting reading experience. The elements of sci-fi will be enough to sate fans of the genre while remaining approachable for all audiences. A lovable cast buoys this time travel drama by one of the most reliable authors in children’s literature.\" - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eSchool Library Journal\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“A teen time traveler from 2199 visits 1999 and befriends an endearing, anxious tween boy in this wholesome and splendidly entertaining middle-grade novel about embracing the unknown. Kelly has written one of the kindest boys in children's literature.”    \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eShelf Awareness\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cp\u003e“An epilogue reveals a delicious, thought-provoking twist on a question posed early on by Kelly: would the disruption of time influence past, present, or future events?”    - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003ePublishers Weekly\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Kelly’s memorable character development is on full display as anxious and sensitive Michael learns to embrace the present, while Ridge’s charming misuse of slang adds humor to this amusing ride. A warmhearted blend of nostalgia and futurism.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eKirkus Reviews\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Newbery winner Kelly gives us a time-travel book that stays grounded, despite the subject matter, and draws on the power of human connection through time and space . . . a solid emotional core will treat readers who love stories about found family and bravery, as well as those who would empathize with Michael’s anxieties about the unknown future.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eBooklist\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Michael serves as an admirable foil to Ridge’s privilege, and the book takes care to highlight his empathy as he struggles to figure out how to find and keep joy in a world filled with pain. Indeed, it is Michael—anxious, vulnerable, and ultimately brave—who will carry readers of all ages to the book’s close.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eBulletin of the Center for Children’s Books\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“This short but suspenseful novel is Rebecca Stead’s \u003cem\u003eWhen You Reach Me\u003c\/em\u003e meets Tae Keller’s \u003cem\u003eJennifer Chan is Not Alone\u003c\/em\u003e. Though it takes place at the turn of the millennium, modern readers will be able to identify with Michael’s anxieties over the future of the world, and find his journey compelling.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eBookPage (starred review)\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Greenwillow Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48588056363237,"sku":"NP9780063467910","price":12.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1842\/7735\/files\/9780063467910.jpg?v=1773961295","url":"https:\/\/k12savings.com\/products\/the-first-state-of-being-isbn-9780063467910","provider":"K12savings","version":"1.0","type":"link"}