GUEST WRITER JUSTIN HACKETT RECOMMENDS THE FIRST STATE OF BEING
In The First State of Being by Erin Entrada Kelly, young Michael Rosario’s life is turned upside down when a stranger shows up outside his apartment complex and claims to be a time traveler. The story follows Michael, who is going into Grade 7, his babysitter Gibby, and Ridge, the time traveler, as they show Ridge around 1999 and try to get him back in a race against time.
This book explores a multitude of essential themes while posing numerous thought-provoking questions, compelling readers to think deeply. The story explores themes of poverty, grief, and the weight of overthinking and living in the future. Because Michael is so young, he often does not fully understand what is happening around him. Still, his innocence highlights how challenging it can be for children to navigate the complexities of life when adult themes emerge in their lives.
The questions this book raises provide ample opportunities for in-class discussions as well. Many questions arise in passing, such as: Is scientific advancement worth it if it poses a risk to humanity? Can there be danger in books and knowledge? And how much do we think our actions affect the future? With the book set in both 1999 and 2199, the technology in the future setting often appears to be advancements on our modern tech, showcasing how far we have come since 1999 and what is still possible in the future. This book is overall very thought-provoking while remaining relatable to many students, as they can look back and see their past and or current selves in any of the three characters.
Justin Hackett is a Bachelor of Education student at UNB and plans on teaching English and History at the high school level. He enjoys sports, the outdoors, and puzzles.