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kelly_e's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
4.0
Title: A First Time for Everything
Author: Dan Santat
Genre: Graphic Memoir
Rating: 4.00
Pub Date: February 28, 2023
T H R E E • W O R D S
Relatable • Heartwarming • Sincere
📖 S Y N O P S I S
After being bullied in middle school, Dan has low expectation about everything, including the class trip to Europe with the same girls who love to make fun of him.
But during his travels, a series of firsts begin to change him - first Fanta, first fondue, and maybe even... first girlfriend?
💭 T H O U G H T S
I stumbled upon A First Time for Everything while exploring the 2023 National Book Award nominees in order to fulfill a prompt for a reading challenge. Chosen as a finalist for the National Book Award for Young People’s Literature, this graphic memoir is a relatable coming-of-age story.
Dan Santat captures the highly relatable awkwardness of middle and high school, a universally challenging time for many young people, through a vulnerable account of a class trip he took as a teenager. With beautiful and meaningful artwork, he demonstrates the trails and tribulations of navigating the world, as well as the benefits of stepping outside of your comfort zone, and how a world of opportunity opens up when we do so. My heart definitely went out to Dan for the bullying he had to endure.
A First Time for Everything is a quick and nostalgic read, yet one that felt like I'd read before. It's a great reminder of how this time period in our lives doesn't define us, and would be a good book for young readers who have gone through bullying or felt self-conscious.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• middle schoolers
• travel enthusiasts
Author: Dan Santat
Genre: Graphic Memoir
Rating: 4.00
Pub Date: February 28, 2023
T H R E E • W O R D S
Relatable • Heartwarming • Sincere
📖 S Y N O P S I S
After being bullied in middle school, Dan has low expectation about everything, including the class trip to Europe with the same girls who love to make fun of him.
But during his travels, a series of firsts begin to change him - first Fanta, first fondue, and maybe even... first girlfriend?
💭 T H O U G H T S
I stumbled upon A First Time for Everything while exploring the 2023 National Book Award nominees in order to fulfill a prompt for a reading challenge. Chosen as a finalist for the National Book Award for Young People’s Literature, this graphic memoir is a relatable coming-of-age story.
Dan Santat captures the highly relatable awkwardness of middle and high school, a universally challenging time for many young people, through a vulnerable account of a class trip he took as a teenager. With beautiful and meaningful artwork, he demonstrates the trails and tribulations of navigating the world, as well as the benefits of stepping outside of your comfort zone, and how a world of opportunity opens up when we do so. My heart definitely went out to Dan for the bullying he had to endure.
A First Time for Everything is a quick and nostalgic read, yet one that felt like I'd read before. It's a great reminder of how this time period in our lives doesn't define us, and would be a good book for young readers who have gone through bullying or felt self-conscious.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• middle schoolers
• travel enthusiasts
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying
Minor: Alcohol, Vomit, and Chronic illness
greenlivingaudioworm's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Vomit, Alcohol, Bullying, and Chronic illness
betweentheshelves's review
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
This is such a fantastic middle grade graphic novel about finding yourself, getting the courage to try new things, and gaining some independence. Based on Santat's own experiences in middle school traveling abroad, there's a lot that middle schoolers will relate to. Honestly, getting to do a trip abroad like this in middle school would have been kind of cool!
As expected, the illustrations are fantastic throughou. Santat uses a different color palette when focusing on past memories, and features some of the drawings he did when he was actually in middle school. It was just an overall great reading experience!
As expected, the illustrations are fantastic throughou. Santat uses a different color palette when focusing on past memories, and features some of the drawings he did when he was actually in middle school. It was just an overall great reading experience!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Chronic illness, and Bullying
Minor: Vomit
xangemthelibrarian's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
First thing I need everyone to know is that the Mixtape in the QR code is VERY well timed. I started it on the first page, and when I finished the book, the last song in the playlist was about 2/3s through. I'm not a super huge fan of this music, but it definitely sets the scene, listening to songs Dan Santat probably enjoyed during this time of his life!
This graphic memoir is a whole lot of fun. Traveling without your parents for the very first time is so scary! But it's also so freeing. There's just something about traveling and experiencing new places that is life-changing.
Awkward at all times, hilarious middle school shenanigans, and general chaos ensues in this fantastic graphic memoir!
This graphic memoir is a whole lot of fun. Traveling without your parents for the very first time is so scary! But it's also so freeing. There's just something about traveling and experiencing new places that is life-changing.
Awkward at all times, hilarious middle school shenanigans, and general chaos ensues in this fantastic graphic memoir!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol
Minor: Chronic illness
starrysteph's review
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
4.0
A charming memoir that will both comfort and challenge middle grade readers.
A First Time for Everything follows author Dan Santat’s first time traveling internationally as a 13-year old - on a 3-week class trip to Europe. He’s a sweet, awkward 8th grader dealing with bullies, quietly exploring his growing artistic talent, and feeling invisible among his peers.
He’s pushed into this trip by his well-meaning mother … and can’t help but have low expectations. But his journey ends up expanding his worldview for the best & becoming a highlight of his childhood.
Dan experiences his first flight, his first coffee, his first time attempting to communicate in a new language … and his first love. Throughout all this, we get flashbacks to specific events with his fellow students, giving insight into his current fears (and giving us readers even more to celebrate as he knocks down old barriers).
The stories are incredibly relatable and the messaging is earnest. The illustrations were perfect: capturing both the wonder of famous destinations and the intensity of teenage emotions. Each character was drawn in a memorable, defined style.
I can definitely see this story inspiring young readers to step outside their boundaries and try something new. They’ll be comforted to know that they aren’t alone in their middle school misery .. but also that new experiences are right around the corner, and braving the unknown can be quite amazing.
CW: bullying, chronic illness, alcohol (Dan tries his first beer)
(I received a free copy of this book; this is my honest review.)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying and Chronic illness
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