{"product_id":"the-first-state-of-being-9780063337312","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\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eKelly, Erin Entrada:\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e - \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eErin Entrada Kelly\u003c\/b\u003e is the author of the Newbery Medal-winning novels \u003ci\u003eHello, Universe \u003c\/i\u003eand \u003ci\u003eThe First State of Being, \u003c\/i\u003ewhich was also named a finalist for the National Book Award. She received a Newbery Honor for her acclaimed novel \u003ci\u003eWe Dream of Space\u003c\/i\u003e. 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eErin Entrada Kelly's debut novel, \u003ci\u003eBlackbird Fly\u003c\/i\u003e, was a \u003ci\u003eKirkus\u003c\/i\u003e Best Book of the Year, a \u003ci\u003eSchool Library Journal\u003c\/i\u003e 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 \u003ci\u003eThe Land of Forgotten Girls\u003c\/i\u003e, winner of the Asian\/Pacific American Award for Literature; \u003ci\u003eYou Go First\u003c\/i\u003e, an Indie Next Pick; \u003ci\u003eLalani of the Distant Sea\u003c\/i\u003e, an Indie Next Pick; \u003ci\u003eThose Kids from Fawn Creek\u003c\/i\u003e, named to numerous best-of-the-year lists; and five popular novels for younger readers, \u003ci\u003eMaybe Maybe Marisol Rainey\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eSurely Surely Marisol Rainey\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eOnly Only Marisol\u003c\/i\u003e \u003ci\u003eRainey\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eYour Turn Marisol Rainey, \u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eFelix Powell, Boy Dog\u003c\/i\u003e, which she also illustrated. Erin Entrada Kelly's acclaimed nonfiction debut, \u003ci\u003eAt Last She Stood\u003c\/i\u003e, was the recipient of the Robert F. Sibert Honor. It tells the sweeping story of Filipino World War II guerrilla fighter, Josefina Guerrero.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Greenwillow Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50575409086738,"sku":"9780063337312","price":19.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_c8f02469-634b-40da-a317-185e061a4542.jpg?v=1772013118","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/the-first-state-of-being-9780063337312","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}