Winner of the 2023 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. 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 After the Fall

“The author gives wings to both his protagonist and his message about the importance of getting back up after a fall and the realization that recovering from a trauma takes time.” ― Booklist , starred review

“ Santat’s precise illustrations and sensitive text combine for more emotional depth than the typical nursery rhyme remix. A terrific redemptive read-aloud for storytime and classroom sharing.” ― School Library Journal, starred review

From School Library Journal

Gr 5–9—In 1989, 13-year-old Santat headed off to Europe for three weeks at the insistence of his parents. They couldn't travel much anymore on account of his mother's lupus and wanted him to have that experience. Santat was less than thrilled, having just wrapped up junior high with more negative experiences than positive ones. Like the title indicates, this memoir explores young Santat's first coming-of-age experiences. We see his first time away from home without parents, first discotheque, and first taste of beer in a German beer hall, among many others. One particular highlight is his first chance at young love with a golden-haired girl named Amy. This was also a trip for Santat to take his art seriously and share it with others without fear of being bullied. Santat's artwork in the story is as great as you'd expect, with the European cityscapes often bathed in golden hour light. All the loveliness is juxtaposed with the strong and often hilarious reactions of teenagers. Flashbacks done in a moody blue show the reality of Santat's former life. An author's note indicates how the story diverges from real life details and acknowledges that travel as a teenager in 1989 was much different than it would be today. Santat's emotional journey is easy to track and culminates in a surprising experience at Wimbledon. While Santat's story is his own, readers will have a worthwhile time relating to him. VERDICT A thoughtful memoir with lots of humor and heart. Hand this to fans of Real Friends and the "Berrybrook Middle School" series. Recommended for all.—Gretchen Hardin

Review

Winner of the 2023 National Book Award for Young People's Literature

"[Santat] unpacks his transformational experience with vulnerability and raw honesty--the sincerity is heartening and the outcome inspiring." ― Shelf Awareness , starred review

"[A] relatable story of self-discovery... the perfect balance of humor and poignancy." ― Kirkus , starred review

"[A] great read among a crowded field, especially for sensitive middle-grade boys." ― Booklist , starred review

"A thoughtful memoir with lots of humor and heart." ― School Library Journal , starred review

"[E]motionally perceptive" ― Publisher's Weekly , starred review

"This is Santat at his best." ― Horn Book

"Without preachiness or condescension, Santat gives readers a story that is both a reassuring hug and a nudge to get out there and experience the world beyond what they know." ― The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

"Dan San tat perfectly captures all the humor, confusion, awkwardness, and pure joy of being a young person stepping out into the world. Read this book! You’re going to love it, and you are going to laugh and cry so much!” ―CHRISTINA SOONTORNVAT, two-time Newbery Honor Winner

“A humane, hilarious, and gently awkward story of seeing [your] world open up for the first time. It almost makes me wish I was a teen ager again. Almost.” ―VERA BROSGOL, New York Times –bestselling creator of Be Prepared

“Dan’s book manages to capture all the things that make you fall in love in the first place―awkwardness,
humor, a bit of teen pathos, and most of all, sincerity and vulnerability.” ―LEUYEN PHAM, New York Times -bestselling illustrator of the Friends series

“A hilarious, beautiful, and cap tivating memoir about the cringeworthy catapult into adolescence.” ―JARRETT J. KROSOCZKA, National Book Award Finalist creator of *Hey, Kiddo

• A 2024 ALA Notable Children's Book
  A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year
  A Shelf Awareness 2023 Best Books of the Year
  A Kirkus Best Book of 2023
  A Junior Library Guild selection
  An Evanston Public Library Great Book for Kids
  A 2024 Texas Lone Star Reading List Pick
  Best Book of 2023 by Common Sense Media
  Chicago Public Library Best of the Best Book of 2023
  A 2024 Texas Topaz Reading List Pick
  A Top Ten ALA 2023 Best Graphic Novel for Children
  An Elementary/Middle Grade Graphic Novel Cybil Award Winner
  
  Praise for Lift

"The story is beautifully told through Santat's expressive characters and dynamic panels of sequential art..... [It's] an entirely immersive experience that children will reach for, again and again, like their own magic button." ― Booklist, starred review

Praise for Drawn Together

"[P]erfectly paced to express universal emotions that connect generations separated by time, experience, and even language." ― School Library Journal , starred review

About the Author

Dan Santat is the Caldecott Medal–winning and New York Times –bestselling author and illustrator of The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend and the road trip/time travel adventure Are We There Yet? His artwork is also featured in numerous picture books, chapter books, and middle-grade novels, including Dav Pilkey's Ricky Ricotta series. Dan lives in Southern California with his wife, two kids, and many, many pets.