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eatreadbreathe 's review for:
The First State of Being
by Erin Entrada Kelly
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
CW: Anxiety, sudden death of a friend (off-page), grief
Rep: Filipino American MC, nonbinary side character
Actual rating: 2.5 stars, rounded up
I usually love Erin Entrada Kelly's books, but I just didn't get this one. As is often the case with Newbery winners/honors, I feel like this story might be more popular with adults than its intended audience. I skipped this one when it first came out because it didn't sound like something I'd enjoy, and unfortunately I was correct.
For a book set in 1999 with heavy emphasis on Y2K and its aftermath in the description, I really wish there had been more focus on Y2K in the story, rather than just brief, anxious mentions of it coming in the near future. Other than Michael's anxiety, the event seemed mostly forgotten about.
Rep: Filipino American MC, nonbinary side character
Actual rating: 2.5 stars, rounded up
I usually love Erin Entrada Kelly's books, but I just didn't get this one. As is often the case with Newbery winners/honors, I feel like this story might be more popular with adults than its intended audience. I skipped this one when it first came out because it didn't sound like something I'd enjoy, and unfortunately I was correct.
For a book set in 1999 with heavy emphasis on Y2K and its aftermath in the description, I really wish there had been more focus on Y2K in the story, rather than just brief, anxious mentions of it coming in the near future. Other than Michael's anxiety, the event seemed mostly forgotten about.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Grief