A review by lilybear3
The First State of Being by Erin Entrada Kelly

emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.75

Realizing that my middle schoolers weren’t alive for Y2K making this book historical fiction is WILD.  Though, I was a toddler at the time so I, too, wasn’t conscious of the panic. 

Okay, the actual review:  I thought the story was fresh and I appreciate a book for young people about dealing with an uncertain future.  Especially in the year of 2025.  Michael’s anxieties about the future were more relatable than I expected.  This book is also about being present in the moment, enjoying the little things in life, and not taking it for granted.  I was particularly thrilled with Ridge’s obsession with the shopping mall (see my review of Meet Me at the Fountain by Alexandra Lange).  I thought the narrator for the audiobook was fine.  This is good for readers who like realistic fiction with a dash of time travel.  
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