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Dan Santat
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A First Time for Everything Paperback – February 28, 2023

by Dan Santat (Author)
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 143 ratings
Editors' pick Best Books Ages 9-12
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*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

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Previous page
  1. Reading age
    10 - 14 years
  2. Print length
    320 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Grade level
    4 - 6
  5. Dimensions
    5.55 x 0.85 x 7.95 inches
  6. Publisher
    First Second
  7. Publication date
    February 28, 2023
  8. ISBN-10
    1250851041
  9. ISBN-13
    978-1250851048
  10. See all details
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From the Publisher

A First Time for Everything Header

Jarrett J. Krosoczka Review

First Time for Everything Image 1

Christina Soontornvat Review

LeUyen Pham Review

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Vera Brosgol Review

A First Time for Everything Footer

Editorial Reviews

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.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ First Second (February 28, 2023)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 320 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1250851041
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1250851048
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 10 - 14 years
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ 4 - 6
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.3 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.55 x 0.85 x 7.95 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 143 ratings

About the author

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Dan Santat

Dan Santat

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Dan Santat is the Caldecott Medal-winning and New York Times bestselling author and illustrator of The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend, Are We There Yet?, and After the Fall as well as the illustrator of many other picture books, including Crankenstein by Samantha Berger. Dan lives in Southern California with his wife, two kids, and various pets. He invites you to visit him online at dantat.com.

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7 out of 5
143 global ratings
Wonderful coming of age graphic novel
5 Stars
Wonderful coming of age graphic novel
A beautifully drawn graphic novel that bravely tells a coming of age story. If you have a teen I’d highly recommend and as an adult I loved it too, reminded me of my youth.
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Top reviews from the United States

M Killian
5.0 out of 5 stars Perfectly captures the awkwardness of the early teen years
Reviewed in the United States on April 15, 2024
Verified Purchase
Poor Dan. His teacher obliviously setting him up for humiliation by making him practice his debate speech at the end of a middle school drug assembly (when everyone just wanted to go home!) was so relatable. Grownups just don't get it!

Dan's just trying to fly under the radar, so when his parents decide he should go on the Europe trip in his summer before starting high school, he is less than thrilled. Especially since the only other kids going from his school are the girls who make fun of him all the time. But there are other nicer kids from other schools and the trip turns out to be the perfect blend of embarrassment and adventure that Dan needs to give him the confidence to start high school with a clean slate. He even has a chance to talk to that teacher who set him up for ridicule and let her know how he felt. Good for Dan for confronting her about it. I never would've had the guts to talk to a teacher who embarrassed me.

This is such a satisfying story about first trips, first loves, first days of the rest of your life. I wish I'd had an adventure like this!
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momreadsbooksinbtwn
5.0 out of 5 stars Coming of Age While on a Field Trip to Europe
Reviewed in the United States on January 28, 2024
Verified Purchase
This is the first book that I have read by Dan Santat. I was drawn to this book because he was a recent National Book Award Winner. I have read his other book called Misfits which he illustrated with author Lisa Yee. 

A First Time for Everything was an enjoyable read for several reasons. First of all, I have a young teenage son, that is getting ready to start high school soon. He is close to the same age as the main character in this book. I found a lot of Dan’s experiences and feelings very relatable to what my son is going through now. I would love for him to have an experience like this, seeing all of Europe with your friends. Some of the experiences that Dan had, definitely would not be happening in today’s age, but they were still priceless.

I found the book very nostalgic. I remember what life was like back in 1989, mixed tapes, Sony Walkman, Fanta soda, family being able to walk you to the airport gate. Traveling without cellphones or being in constant contact with your parents, what freedom. But, now as a parent, the thought of not being able to get in touch with my kids frightens me.

I have to say that Mrs. Bjork, Dan’s speech teacher, was my favorite character. She was so sweet and seemed to know what Dan was going through. However, she did set him up for disaster when she had Dan practice his speech in front of the entire school. 

Since this book was so personal (a graphic novel memoir), this was what made the story so good and compelling. I definitely cannot wait to see what Dan comes out with next.
One person found this helpful
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Teddy
4.0 out of 5 stars Good book
Reviewed in the United States on May 1, 2024
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My son enjoyed this book. It was a very quick read for him. It was good for middle school young teen readers.
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Dan Johnson
5.0 out of 5 stars Great YA memoir
Reviewed in the United States on February 4, 2024
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Dan Santat's wonderful new middle school GN memoir "A First Time for Everything" recounts his adventures on his first out of the country visit to Europe with some other students in the summer between middle school and high school. It was a super beautiful story about first kisses, first Fantas, and about finally finding yourself. It was a wonderful little book that put me in the frame of mind of both my summer my first and only visit to Europe, the summer in college I spent in Rome. It was fun to reminisce about the crazy misadventures I have had. But more than that, it reminded me to think back on the people I met in these adventures growing up. If you read this book as an adult, I hope it brings back a flood of fond memories, like it did for me. But if you read this as young person, I hope you take it as an invitation to try new things and take on new adventures...
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Mckeonnd
5.0 out of 5 stars im 11 so view my review from with that information
Reviewed in the United States on February 21, 2024
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This book is amazing for anyone looking for a nice slice of life book with a good romance plot as well. It also captures almost every emotion masterfully. I definitely would reccomend
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DMcF
5.0 out of 5 stars Works its magic
Reviewed in the United States on January 14, 2024
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I bought this graphic novel for my 14-year-old daughter for Christmas after reading about the award it received, and she loved it. She reads less and less for pleasure so it was good to see her absorbed in a book.
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Karen Olson
5.0 out of 5 stars Grandson loved it!
Reviewed in the United States on January 19, 2024
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I got this for a grandson who just turned 13. He rarely texts me, but he sent a text saying that this book was awesome!
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L. J. Rinaldi
5.0 out of 5 stars I can see why this won an award
Reviewed in the United States on December 7, 2023
Verified Purchase
Great first love memoir. I wasn’t sure what expect but it grabbed me from the first page and pulled me forward all the way. Great story of traveling in Europe in a freer time. Seeing all the sights and being free range.
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Top reviews from other countries

Amber
5.0 out of 5 stars SO GOOD
Reviewed in Canada on May 13, 2023
Verified Purchase
I loved this book as it inspired me to go on with life and try new things even if I am feeling sad
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