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annarama 's review for:
The First State of Being
by Erin Entrada Kelly
adventurous
informative
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
I read the manuscript of this, and once I started reading, I could not put it down! This story is EPIC, and I can not wait to see and hold the final published book. The storytelling is superb, the settings are historically accurate (Gen Xers wil greatly appreciate that), the relationship building is phenomenal and the main characters are all lovable and full of heart. Adults and kids alike are going to love it. It will be read (and taught) in middle schools and Book Clubs and it will evoke all kinds of interesting discussions, from ethics, to self-care, to the rules of responsible time travel.
The story is set in August 1999 in Delaware. It's Michael's 12th birthday and he is dreadfully worried about what will happen when the clocks switch over to 12:00am January 1st, 2000. He has seen all kinds of news stories saying that computer systems might shut down, banks could cease to function, food might become scarce, infrastructure could collapse... So, he's trying to prepare the best he can, but he doesn't know exactly what he needs to do. Naturally, the adults in his life aren't worried. They tell him not to worry about it, which frustrates him even more.
He sees a suspicious stranger - a teenage boy - in his apartment complex, and he is a little bit frightened (and curious) about him. Later, he and his babysitter (Gibby) confront the stranger. His name is Ridge, he is 16 years old and he is very, VERY odd! With wit and charm, they find out why.... He has TIME TRAVELED from the year 2199!! Of course, Michael and Gibby have questions about the future, but Ridge will not tell them anything, for fear of breaking the spacetime continuum! Ridge knows he must return to 2199 right away (he didn't exactly have permission to travel, and his mom is going to be SO MAD) but he is curious about 1999. He wants to stay and explore a little. He's lucky he ran into Michael and Gibby.
I really enjoyed this book. The three main characters get along harmoniously. There is very little drama. And when other kids in their midst create drama, they protect each other. It is refreshing. Their ordinary adventures turn out to have a greater significance in the world. It left me feeling hopeful about the future. An inspiring read!
The story is set in August 1999 in Delaware. It's Michael's 12th birthday and he is dreadfully worried about what will happen when the clocks switch over to 12:00am January 1st, 2000. He has seen all kinds of news stories saying that computer systems might shut down, banks could cease to function, food might become scarce, infrastructure could collapse... So, he's trying to prepare the best he can, but he doesn't know exactly what he needs to do. Naturally, the adults in his life aren't worried. They tell him not to worry about it, which frustrates him even more.
He sees a suspicious stranger - a teenage boy - in his apartment complex, and he is a little bit frightened (and curious) about him. Later, he and his babysitter (Gibby) confront the stranger. His name is Ridge, he is 16 years old and he is very, VERY odd! With wit and charm, they find out why.... He has TIME TRAVELED from the year 2199!! Of course, Michael and Gibby have questions about the future, but Ridge will not tell them anything, for fear of breaking the spacetime continuum! Ridge knows he must return to 2199 right away (he didn't exactly have permission to travel, and his mom is going to be SO MAD) but he is curious about 1999. He wants to stay and explore a little. He's lucky he ran into Michael and Gibby.
I really enjoyed this book. The three main characters get along harmoniously. There is very little drama. And when other kids in their midst create drama, they protect each other. It is refreshing. Their ordinary adventures turn out to have a greater significance in the world. It left me feeling hopeful about the future. An inspiring read!