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moreta1's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
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”.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying and Alcohol
Minor: Medical content
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying
Minor: Chronic illness, Vomit, and Alcohol
middle_name_joy's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcohol
greenlivingaudioworm's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
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!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Chronic illness, and Alcohol
Minor: Vomit
xangemthelibrarian's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
First thing I need everyone to know is that the Mixtape in the QR code is VERY well timed. I started it on the first page, and when I finished the book, the last song in the playlist was about 2/3s through. I'm not a super huge fan of this music, but it definitely sets the scene, listening to songs Dan Santat probably enjoyed during this time of his life!
This graphic memoir is a whole lot of fun. Traveling without your parents for the very first time is so scary! But it's also so freeing. There's just something about traveling and experiencing new places that is life-changing.
Awkward at all times, hilarious middle school shenanigans, and general chaos ensues in this fantastic graphic memoir!
This graphic memoir is a whole lot of fun. Traveling without your parents for the very first time is so scary! But it's also so freeing. There's just something about traveling and experiencing new places that is life-changing.
Awkward at all times, hilarious middle school shenanigans, and general chaos ensues in this fantastic graphic memoir!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol
Minor: Chronic illness
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