Purchase to Support Our Program

Newbery Medal 2025

“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.”
—Booklist

The First State of Being

Written by Erin Entrada Kelly
Published by HarperCollins

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 fifteen-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.

Primary ISBN: 9780063337312
Publication Date: March 2024
Available As: Hardcover, Paperback, eBook
Middle Grade, Age 08 or older

Community Represented:

Themes: , , , ,

Setting: United States (Red Knot DE)

Character's Place in the Immigration Journey: United States (Deleware)

Book Creator(s) Connection to the Community Represented: Own Voices/Lived Experience

Click here for details about how we define our titles.

Engagement Projects & Resources:

Share your favorite resources for this book with info@imyourneighborbooks.org.