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A First Time for Everything

by Dan Santat

A middle-school memoir shaped by a trip abroad

Critically Recognized
Regular price $20.60 USD
Regular price $34.34 USD Sale price $20.60 USD
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Awards & Recognition

  • Award recognition

    Winner of the National Book Award for Young People's Literature

    The metadata identifies the book as the winner of the National Book Award for Young People's Literature.

  • Author recognition

    Caldecott Medal winner

    Dan Santat is described as a Caldecott Medal winner; this is an author accolade, not an award claim for this book.

  • Critical praise

    Praise from Horn Book

    Horn Book praised the book: “This is Santat at his best.”

AlbakiReads Editorial

A middle-school memoir shaped by a trip abroad

In this graphic memoir, Dan Santat looks back on his awkward middle-school years and a class trip through France, Germany, Switzerland, and England. The journey brings a succession of first experiences, from unfamiliar foods to first love, while placing them against the backdrop of bullying and feeling overlooked at school. Travel and growing up are intertwined here: the trip becomes a setting for changes in how Santat sees himself and his place among others. Its subject is the unsettled stretch between childhood and adolescence, viewed through specific memories of one European journey.

Good fit for readers who enjoy

  • Middle-grade readers interested in graphic memoirs and coming-of-age stories
  • Readers drawn to school experiences, friendship challenges, and travel
  • Fans of Dan Santat’s work

Themes

Growing upBullying and belongingFirst experiencesTravelSelf-discovery

Based on publisher information and book metadata.

Book overview

*Winner of the National Book Award for Young People's Literature*

A middle grade graphic memoir based on bestselling author and Caldecott Medalist Dan Santat's awkward middle school years and the trip to Europe that changed his life.

Dan's always been a good kid. The kind of kid who listens to his teachers, helps his mom with grocery shopping, and stays out of trouble. But being a good kid doesn't stop him from being bullied and feeling like he's invisible, which is why Dan has low expectations when his parents send him on a class trip to Europe.

At first, he's right. He's stuck with the same girls from his middle school who love to make fun of him, and he doesn't know why his teacher insisted he come on this trip. But as he travels through France, Germany, Switzerland, and England, a series of first experiences begin to change him--first Fanta, first fondue, first time stealing a bike from German punk rockers... and first love.

Funny, heartwarming, and poignant, A First Time for Everything is a feel-good coming-of-age memoir based on New York Times bestselling author and Caldecott Medal winner Dan Santat's awkward middle school years. It celebrates a time that is universally challenging for many of us, but also life-changing as well.

Praise for A First Time for Everything:

"This is Santat at his best."
―Horn Book

"[A] relatable story of self-discovery... the perfect balance of humor and poignancy."
―Kirkus, starred review

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Customer reviews

M
AlbakiReads
Malaika Taylor

I highly recommend to for anyone looking for inner clarity

T
AlbakiReads
Thomas DiMassa

Great service and fast service

Great shopping experience! The book arrived quickly, was well packaged, and matched the description perfectly. I would definitely shop with you again

O
AlbakiReads
Olivia

Smooth.