{"id":42313,"date":"2023-03-21T23:13:53","date_gmt":"2023-03-22T03:13:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sonderbooks.com\/blog\/?p=42313"},"modified":"2023-03-21T23:13:53","modified_gmt":"2023-03-22T03:13:53","slug":"review-of-a-first-time-for-everything-by-dan-santat","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sonderbooks.com\/blog\/?p=42313","title":{"rendered":"Review of A First Time for Everything, by Dan Santat"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>A First Time for Everything<\/em><\/p>\n

by Dan Santat<\/p>\n

First Second, 2023. 320 pages.
\nReview written March 12, 2023, from a library book
\nStarred Review<\/p>\n

Here it is! Yet another book that convinces me that the absolutely perfect material for the graphic novel format is the middle school memoir. A First Time for Everything<\/em> joins books like Smile<\/a><\/em>, Real Friends<\/a><\/em>, El Deafo<\/a><\/em>, and many others that all brilliantly express the emotions and awkwardness of middle school — showing kids that they are not alone.<\/p>\n

Caldecott-winning artist Dan Santat got to go to Europe the summer after his eighth grade year. It was an experience that changed his life.<\/p>\n

First, he expertly shows some of his humiliations in middle school, so we understand his lack of self-confidence. Some girls who always tease him are along on the trip, but so are some kids from other parts of the United States, including a girl who seems to think he’s cool.<\/p>\n

And they see Europe! They start in Paris and travel to places like Switzerland, Salzburg, Vienna, and London. The adults on the trip give them a lot of freedom (the Author’s Note in the back comments on that), and we really get the feeling of a kid experiencing Europe, meeting new people, and learning about himself.<\/p>\n

I lived in Germany for ten years and visited many of the places portrayed in this book, so I loved that aspect of reading it as well. It made me want to go back. So much. (But then, most things do.) And when I do, I’m going to drink a Fanta and think of Dan Santat. (Well, and my kids. They love Fanta, too.)<\/p>\n

This book is completely wonderful. He managed to put on the page the awkwardness of middle school plus the wonder of Europe plus the challenge of trying new things — and the way all that makes you grow. You could see the kid Dan gaining confidence and liking himself more as the story went on.<\/p>\n

dansantatbooks.com<\/a>
\nfirstsecondbooks.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Buy from Amazon.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Find this review on Sonderbooks<\/a> at: www.sonderbooks.com\/Childrens_Nonfiction\/first_time_for_everything.html<\/a><\/p>\n

Disclosure: I am an Amazon Affiliate, and will earn a small percentage if you order a book on Amazon after clicking through from my site.<\/p>\n

Disclaimer: I am a professional librarian, but the views expressed are solely my own, and in no way represent the official views of my employer or of any committee or group of which I am part.<\/p>\n

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