The First State of Being
2024 children's novel about a time-traveling boy
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The First State of Being is a 2024 children's time travel novel by Erin Entrada Kelly. Set in the lead-up to Y2K, it follows a young boy who discovers a strange teenager who claims to be from the future. Kelly earned the Newbery Medal in 2025 for the book, her second medal and her third recognition; it was also a finalist for the National Book Award for Young People's Literature in 2024.[1][2]
.jpeg)
| |
| Author | Erin Entrada Kelly |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Genre | Time travel |
| Publisher | Greenwillow |
Publication date | 2024 |
| Publication place | United States |
| Pages | 272 |
| ISBN | 9780063337312 |
Summary
In 1999, 12-year-old Michael is preparing for Y2K when he meets the mysterious boy Ridge, an out-of-place teenager who dresses and speaks queerly and claims to be from the future. Incredulous, Michael changes his mind after Ridge accurately predicts an earthquake; Ridge has actually time-traveled backward from the year 2199 using a time machine invented by his mother and motivated by a dare from his siblings. Michael decides to help Ridge find his way back to the future by helping to locate the time machine.[3][4][5]
