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moreta1's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
Minor: Bullying, Vomit, and Alcohol
njh_books's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
Reading this graphic novel was a heartwarming flashback into my own first experience in Europe as an 18 year old. There were so many similarities between Dan’s experiences and my own despite our age gap (13 vs. 18) and that mine happened almost a quarter of a century later.
I related so much to the panel on page 221 where Dan screams at the sky, “Why does this whole town close at seven?” Oh Germany and Austria—you haven’t changed in almost 40 years.
Also seeing Dan’s photos of all these places that I have traveled to from his personal photos from decades earlier was cool to see. Also that he remembered Earl’s Court in London as that was the Tube stop closest to the first hotel I ever stayed in, in London. Small world.
The dedication page has the line from A.A. Milne, “We didn’t know we were making memories, we were just having fun.” And that is the perfect description to that first trip to Europe for me. It was just to explore and see and experience. There wasn’t much locked in focus and I can’t remember having a bunch of expectations besides improving my language skills…it was just about soaking it all up and having fun. Having now moved to the place I did my first study abroad and living here for years, it was a nice reminder of the magic I found in this place and what drew me to it—why I returned.
It’s a call to focus on the fun, to find the magic and new experiences every day.
It’s a hand reaching out “for the person you have yet to discover inside of you”.
I related so much to the panel on page 221 where Dan screams at the sky, “Why does this whole town close at seven?” Oh Germany and Austria—you haven’t changed in almost 40 years.
Also seeing Dan’s photos of all these places that I have traveled to from his personal photos from decades earlier was cool to see. Also that he remembered Earl’s Court in London as that was the Tube stop closest to the first hotel I ever stayed in, in London. Small world.
The dedication page has the line from A.A. Milne, “We didn’t know we were making memories, we were just having fun.” And that is the perfect description to that first trip to Europe for me. It was just to explore and see and experience. There wasn’t much locked in focus and I can’t remember having a bunch of expectations besides improving my language skills…it was just about soaking it all up and having fun. Having now moved to the place I did my first study abroad and living here for years, it was a nice reminder of the magic I found in this place and what drew me to it—why I returned.
It’s a call to focus on the fun, to find the magic and new experiences every day.
It’s a hand reaching out “for the person you have yet to discover inside of you”.
Graphic: Bullying and Alcohol
Minor: Medical content
brogan7's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.0
Middle grade graphic novel about Dan Santat's experiences growing up and going on a trip to Europe between middle school and high school.
It's lovely, awkward, funny, and warm...it spills empathy and kindness (ie it's not at all like middle school). Very well done.
It's lovely, awkward, funny, and warm...it spills empathy and kindness (ie it's not at all like middle school). Very well done.
Minor: Bullying
kelly_e's review
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
Graphic: Bullying
Minor: Chronic illness, Vomit, and Alcohol
greenlivingaudioworm's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
4.0
Moderate: Bullying, Chronic illness, Vomit, and Alcohol
betweentheshelves's review against another edition
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!
Graphic: Bullying, Chronic illness, and Alcohol
Minor: Vomit
daisycakesco's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
4.75
Moderate: Bullying
Minor: Vomit
starrysteph's review against another edition
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.)
Graphic: Bullying and Chronic illness
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