A First Time for Everything by Dan Santat

A First Time for Everything

Dan Santat

First Second · Print & ebook · February 28, 2023

A Graphic Novels pick for readers exploring A First Time for Everything.

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Who it’s for
A funny, tender graphic memoir finds the awkwardness of middle school meeting the surprises of travel.
Themes
Coming of age, Bullying and belonging, Self-discovery
Genres
Comics Biographies, Travel, Friendship

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About this book

*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.

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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

Growing Into Firsts

A funny, tender graphic memoir finds the awkwardness of middle school meeting the surprises of travel.

Come here for

  • Middle school awkwardness rendered with humor and tenderness
  • A European trip threaded with vivid first experiences

Expect

  • A personal coming-of-age memoir in graphic form
  • Bullying, self-discovery, and moments of poignancy

Where it sits

Comics Biographies99%
Travel89%
Friendship83%

Percentages are BookFrontier’s reading of the book.

Publisher categories

  • Friendship
  • Travel
  • Comics Biographies
Authors
Dan Santat
Publisher
First Second
Published
February 28, 2023
Format
Print & ebook
Theme
Coming of age · Bullying and belonging · Self-discovery
Reading lane
Friendship