The First State of Being (2025)

The First State of Being, the 2025 Newbery Medal-winning novel, is a captivating middle-grade story set in August 1999. Twelve-year-old Michael Rosario lives in Red Knot, Delaware, where his biggest concerns are the looming Y2K crisis and his intense crush on his sixteen-year-old babysitter, Gibby. But his world is turned upside down when a mysterious teenager named Ridge suddenly appears, disoriented and out of place.

Ridge isn't just any teenager—he's the first-ever time traveler. Confident and fearless, Ridge fascinates Michael, who longs to be more like him. As Ridge marvels at late-90s culture, Michael becomes fixated on a book Ridge possesses—a book that details the next twenty years of history. Knowing what the future holds could change everything, and Michael is determined to get his hands on it. But as curiosity turns into obsession, Michael faces a difficult question: how far will he go to control his destiny?

Blending time travel, friendship, first love, and found family, The First State of Being is a thought-provoking novel with rich character development and a nostalgic late-90s setting. Its themes of self-discovery, ethical dilemmas, and the desire to shape one's future resonate deeply with middle-grade readers, making it a standout story worthy of its prestigious Newbery Medal recognition.