A Parent’s Review of The First State of Being
Choosing a new middle grade novel for a child can feel surprisingly personal. The right book should offer an absorbing story, age-appropriate language, and enough emotional depth to spark conversation after the last page. Erin Entrada Kelly’s The First State of Being succeeds on all three counts, making it a strong choice for families seeking thoughtful contemporary fiction.
Published in 2024, this award-winning novel follows a twelve-year-old boy named Michael Rosario, who lives in New Jersey in 1994. His life changes when he meets Ridge, a mysterious teenager from the future. The science-fiction premise is inviting, but the heart of the book lies in its exploration of loneliness, friendship, family, and the fear of growing up.
As a parent, I appreciated how the story respects young readers. It does not flatten difficult emotions into simple lessons. Instead, it gives children room to think about why people hide their pain, how adults make choices under pressure, and what it means to support someone whose experience is hard to understand.
A Time-Travel Story With Emotional Weight
Michael is a believable protagonist because his concerns are ordinary and urgent. He worries about fitting in, feels uncertain around classmates, and wants to understand the changes happening in his family. His friendship with Ridge gives those feelings a larger frame without making them seem less real.
Ridge’s arrival introduces mystery and momentum. He knows things Michael cannot know, yet he is also frightened and vulnerable. Their connection develops through conversation, trust, and shared curiosity rather than instant heroics. Young readers who enjoy speculative fiction will find the time-travel element compelling, while readers who prefer realistic stories can connect with the characters’ emotional struggles.
The novel’s 1994 setting also adds texture. Landline phones, video rental stores, and the absence of smartphones create a world that feels unfamiliar to many children today. These details support the story instead of overwhelming it, giving parents natural openings to discuss how communication and daily life have changed.
Themes Families Can Discuss Together
The strongest subject is loneliness. Michael and Ridge are isolated in different ways, and the book shows that being surrounded by people does not always prevent someone from feeling alone. That message can be especially meaningful for children navigating a new school, changing friendships, or the social pressures of early adolescence.
Family relationships receive equally careful treatment. Adults in the novel are imperfect, but their mistakes are connected to fear, responsibility, and love. The story avoids presenting parents as either villains or flawless guides. That balance can help children see family conflict with greater empathy while still recognizing the importance of honesty and safety.
The book also raises questions about fate and personal choice. If someone knows what may happen in the future, should they try to change it? Are some events unavoidable? These ideas are sophisticated without being inaccessible, making the novel useful for a family book club, classroom discussion, or after-school reading group.
What Makes It Work For Middle Grade Readers
Kelly writes with clarity and restraint. The chapters move at a steady pace, and the science-fiction concepts remain understandable because they are grounded in character relationships. There is suspense, but the story does not depend on frightening scenes or complicated world-building.
The emotional content may prompt questions about illness, grief, family instability, and the consequences of secrecy. Those subjects are handled with sensitivity, though parents of younger or more sensitive readers may want to read alongside their children. A shared reading experience can make the harder moments feel manageable and meaningful.
Programs that combine literacy with mentoring can use a novel like this to encourage reflection beyond basic comprehension. In communities where children bring different family experiences into the room, a facilitator can focus on belonging, supportive friendships, and the many ways young people respond to uncertainty. Work that supports student success can give these conversations a practical community setting.
| Element | Parent’s Assessment |
|---|---|
| Reading level | Accessible for most middle grade readers, with mature themes |
| Genre | Science fiction, friendship story, and family drama |
| Best qualities | Emotional honesty, memorable characters, steady suspense |
| Potential concerns | Grief, illness, secrecy, and family tension |
| Conversation value | Excellent for discussing empathy, choices, and belonging |
| Best audience | Readers approximately ages 9–13, especially fans of realistic fantasy |
A Parent’s Perspective On The Message
I especially valued the book’s treatment of kindness. Michael does not solve every problem through a grand speech or dramatic act. Often, he helps by listening, staying present, or taking another person seriously. That is a useful model for children, since friendship is frequently built through small decisions rather than impressive gestures.
The novel also acknowledges that children cannot control every circumstance around them. They can, however, decide how they respond and whom they trust. That distinction gives the story emotional maturity without turning it into a lecture.
For parents, the book can become a gentle way to talk about asking for help. Children may recognize themselves in Michael’s hesitation or Ridge’s guarded behavior. A conversation about noticing changes in a friend, involving a trusted adult, and expressing difficult feelings can emerge naturally from the plot.
Who Will Enjoy This Novel
Readers who like time travel, secret identities, and questions about the future will find plenty to enjoy. The book may appeal to fans of thoughtful science fiction such as A Wrinkle in Time, though its tone is quieter and more realistic. Children who prefer character-driven stories may connect most strongly with Michael’s family life and his developing friendship with Ridge.
It is also a good selection for siblings or parents and children to read together. Younger readers can follow the adventure, while older readers may notice the ethical questions beneath it. The novel has enough layers to reward discussion without requiring extensive background knowledge.
Teachers, librarians, and youth program leaders could use it for journal prompts, creative writing, or a science-and-literature activity about possible futures. Students might design a future invention, write a letter between Michael and Ridge, or debate whether changing the past is ever justified.
Reasons To Add It To A Family Reading List
- It combines a high-concept premise with recognizable middle school emotions.
- It encourages empathy without offering simplistic answers.
- It creates natural conversations about family, friendship, and asking for help.
- It suits independent reading, shared reading, and small-group discussion.
- It gives children a hopeful story without pretending that every problem is easy.
The First State of Being is a warm, intelligent choice for families looking for a popular new middle grade novel with substance. Its time-travel mystery draws readers in, while its questions about loneliness, courage, and connection give the story lasting value. Add it to a home reading list, recommend it to a child’s teacher or librarian, and use its thoughtful themes to open a meaningful conversation with a young reader.