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Review: The First State of Being

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The First State of Being
By Erin Entrada Kelly
New York: Greenwillow Books, 2024. Fiction. 253 pages.

In 1999, 12-year-old Michael Rosario is preparing for Y2K. No, like, he's really preparing for Y2K. His single mother works hard, but their family struggles financially and Michael has been secretly, less-than-legally, collecting a stockpile of supplies in case the world ends when the clock turns to January 1, 2000. Then one day, Michael comes across a strange new kid named Ridge. Ridge dresses oddly and speaks in weird expressions, because he is from the future. At first, Michael is excited to ask Ridge the answer to all of the questions that make him anxious -- but Ridge refuses. It quickly becomes apparent that the longer Ridge spends in 1999 the more urgent it is to help him find a way home. It is up to Michael and his 15-year-old babysitter (and crush) Gibby to get Ridge back.

Time travel novels are always a lot of fun for young readers, and this one offers an especially appealing future to imagine. The main text is interspersed with audio transcripts and textbook entries from the future that help flesh out Ridge's story and explain the rules of time travel without taking readers out of the action. Erin Entrada Kelly is a well-known name in children's literature and a previous Newbery medalist, and this story is a great representation of her talents. The story is character driven without sacrificing plot, the ethical discussion make sense in the context of the story, and there is so much depth hiding below the surface. A National Book Award finalist, this book is special.

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