A First Time for Everything

by Dan Santat

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.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Middle Grade, Memoir, Nonfiction, Travel, Biography, Comics

320 pages, Hardcover

First published February 28, 2023

Reviews

[Bookishrealm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh my friends! This was absolutely beautiful and charming and fun to read. I’ve heard so many good things about this, but I couldn’t appreciate it until I read it for myself. I’m familiar with Dan’s works, but this reminded me of why I find him so brilliant. This is an ode to all the middle school kids. It was one of the most difficult periods of my life and I know that so many others struggle/struggled with it as well.

The story follows Dan as he deals with the ups and downs of middle school. He is bullied, faces insecurities, and struggles with finding his place in his community. Some of this begins to change as Dan’s mother encourages him to take a trip to Europe with other classmates the summer before his freshman year of high school. While traveling Dan experiences the first of many things. He awakens in so many different ways and slowly begins to realize that his town is just a small portion of the world at large.

Overall, this was such a beautiful read and one that made me think about my own experiences in middle school. The artwork was GORGEOUS! I’m definitely looking forward to reading more by Dan.

[Rachael Fryman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dan Santat is a rock star. He is my favorite kidlit creator and he just nails it every time! I haven't yet read everything he's worked on, but I've yet to find one that I didn't fall in love with. A First Time for Everything is a story about Dan finding himself, his self-confidence, and falling in love for the first time all backdropped by a European tour with his peers before he starts high school. I love the honesty and realness and relatability. Anyone who was self-conscious, afraid, lost, insecure, etc in middle school (which is everyone) will relate to Dan and his amazing trip through Europe learning to love himself and trust himself. If you haven't read Santat yet, pick this up immediately. If you have read Santat, it's already on your TBR, I'm sure!

[Maia · Rating 3 out of 5]

A beautifully illustrated memoir of a shy, Asian American thirteen year old's first trip to Europe, in 1989. Dan is a painfully self-conscious kid, bullied at school despite his best efforts to slip invisibly through the school halls. But on a three week summer trips with a dozen other kids his age, some from his school and some from other states, he begins to find himself. This story is framed through a series of "firsts"- first time traveling without his parents, first time tasting Fanta, first cigarette, first alcoholic drink, first time navigating a city alone, first kiss, first time sharing his art with someone. The main narrative of the trip is woven through with flashbacks to particularly emotional past moments- asking a girl out, being romantically rejected, rejecting someone else, helping a girl out who had gotten her period unexpectedly. It captures the wretchedness of junior high, and the way traveling can teach people both about the world and themselves.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely charming story about tiny Dan going on a tour of Europe with a school group the summer before he started high school. The social awkwardness! The cool sights! The many flavors of Fanta!

A lot of it, tone wise, reminded me of the tour I went in on my junior year (but we just went around the East Coast of the US)- the "trip romances" for instance, the crappy camera that only took blurry pictures . . . the souvenir shirt that I still have!

This was super fun and a must read for kids on the awkward cusp of high school!

[Diz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This graphic novel perfectly captures the awkwardness of middle school romance in a short study abroad setting. It a reminder of how cruel kids can be to each other and how sensitive we were at that age.

[Richie Partington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Richie’s Picks: A FIRST TIME FOR EVERYTHING by Dan Santat, FirstSecond, February 2023, 320p., ISBN: 978--1-62672-415-6

“An international experience should be part of your education, whatever your goals, socioeconomic status, or field of study. Every year, more than 300,000 American students study, intern, or volunteer abroad for academic credit on programs ranging from two weeks to a full academic year. International educational experiences that you undertake with thoughtfulness and purpose are valuable, regardless of duration or format.”
–U.S. State Department, “Why Study Abroad?”

“Oh, kiss me, beneath the milky twilight
Lead me out on the moonlit floor
Lift your open hand
Strike up the band and make the fireflies dance
Silver moon's sparkling
So kiss me”
– Sixpence None the Richer (1997)

In 1989, at the end of his incredibly-awkward junior high career, future Caldecott medalist Dan Santat reluctantly participated in a three-week long studying abroad trip to Europe, with one of his teachers and a bunch of kids from two different schools. A FIRST TIME FOR EVERYTHING is a graphic memoir and coming-of-age story about a trip that turned out to be the highlight of Dan Santat’s childhood, a trip that changed his life.

The adventure began with his parents giving him a hard time at the airport about this and that, and includes this hysterical interchange:

[Dan]“‘Okay, I’m off.’
[Mom]‘Have a good flight! Hey, it’s your first time on a plane!’
[Dan]‘Yup. Don’t worry, if the plane goes down, at least my death will be quick.’
[Mom]‘WHAT?! THAT’S THE LAST THING YOU SAY TO ME?! WHY WOULD YOU SAY THAT?!
[Dan]‘LOVE YOU.’”

Over the course of the ensuing adventure, this sensitive young man meets his first girlfriend and experiences his first kiss, his first cup of coffee, his first taste of beer, and his first drag on a cigarette. And he spends a lot of time drawing. We see how, in the face of interpersonal struggles, Dan finds peace in drawing. At this age, he is already quite talented and thoroughly engaged in his art.

“Everywhere I looked reminded me of something that happened on the trip.
This boring little town.
A town that no longer scared me.”

Three weeks later, when he returns home, Dan is changed, now considering and pursuing activities he never would have previously attempted.

Many portions of this coming-of-age memoir are quite moving, particularly when Dan is dealing with his feelings for Amy who, unfortunately, was from Illinois, far from his home in California. Over those three weeks, their relationship does not extend beyond hand-holding, hugging, and a few kisses. It’s appropriate for both tween and middle grade readers, so many of whom will benefit from observing Dan’s emotional struggles, including his dealing with verbal bullying. (There are a number of flashbacks that aid in our understanding of his current interpersonal relationships with his friends and the other student travelers from his school.)

Also quite touching are a number of scenes with Mrs. Bjork, Dan’s elderly teacher who organizes and leads the trip, and who is repeatedly there for Dan when problems arise.

The stellar illustrations include all of the famous European cities and historic buildings the students visited. The various student characters are drawn distinctly; they are all easy to remember. There is no question that this one will be discussed at length by next year’s award committees.

Engaging from first square to last, A FIRST TIME FOR EVERYTHING will inspire many readers to escape their little corners of the world and pursue similar adventures.

Richie Partington, MLIS
Richie's Picks http://richiespicks.pbworks.com
https://www.facebook.com/richiespicks/
richiepartington@gmail.com

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love memoirs that take place during a specific time, especially a time that I was around for. It brings back my memories of my youth and what I remember of "the world back then". I wasn't quite the age of the author during the time period he is discussing and I never went to Europe for a school trip as a teen, but the problems he faces are universal and the time frame is close enough to when I was that age that I have the same cultural memory and understanding.

The art was bright and cheerful and got the thoughts and memories across perfectly. I loved the coming of age aspect and that it shows how he had grown by the end of his trip. I also loved that he gave an explanation of what was changed for dramatic effect and how he talked to others who also went on that trip to get their POV as well to enhance and help his memory. He also goes into why he started the book, his kids asked him about his first love, which lead to this trip, which was about a LOT of firsts for him. (SOOOO SWEET!!!)

This is a very cute and interesting bit of modern history-in-amber book and I am SOOOO glad that I read this one. I am REALLY liking this new (to me maybe, but I think it's more prevalent now) trend of graphic novel memoirs. I love how sometimes, the art can get across what just words can't. The scene with the bike was tense and the art really drove the feelings home.

I highly recommend this book, though he DOES get up to some actions that would not fly, well, I HOPE they wouldn't fly, for today's children. But that could just be me with rose colored glasses on, thinking the world is all hunky-dory...sigh. So the age would be maybe higher middle grade on up? Depends on the kids and as always, I advise the adults of those children vet the book first before handing to said child. You know best what they can and can't handle, and it's a good way to start discussions on certain topics.

5, this was awesome and I highly recommend it, stars.

My thanks to NetGalley and First Second Books for an eARC copy of this book to read and review.

[Afoma (Reading Middle Grade) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A First Time for Everything is a stellar, relatable graphic novel about growing up, wading through the awkward tween years, and finding one’s voice. Set on an end-of-middle-school Europe trip, this book is a great fit for kids in upper elementary, middle school, and younger high schoolers. If you like to travel via books, this is an unmissable graphic novel.

Full review: https://readingmiddlegrade.com/a-firs...

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely delightful.

[Kristie · Rating 5 out of 5]

There was so much I could relate to in this book. I loved the author's note and the pictures included in the back of the book.

[Librariann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this lightly fictionalized graphic memoir. In part, because I'm roughly contemporaneous to Santat (in the sense of middle-schooling in the pre-internet, pre-cell phone era). In part, because his illustrations were so expressive. But mostly, it's because it was a fantastic, universal growing up story. Who doesn't dream of being set loose on a school trip through Europe with minimal supervision when you haven't even started high school? (Okay, not me, whose anxiety interfered with both the 7th grade trip to Springfield and the 8th grade trip to Washington D.C. But! Many kids!) Who *doesn't* remember romantic moments on a bus, that first moment when liking someone isn't a point of embarrassment but a point of enjoyment? (The magical choir tour of senior living facilities where I, a mature and wise 8th grader, snuggled next to and held the hand of a 7th grade boy!)

Like Jerry Craft's New Kid, it felt very true to all the dramas of junior high/middle school, the bullies and judgement, but also had the added joy of that moment of freedom, the revelation of "life is not always going to be terrible" AND the amazing moment when teachers tell the students that the drinking age in Germany is 14.

Magical, nostalgic, and hopeful.

[Amber Kuehler · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED LOVED LOVED! Do not miss this one.

The main character is 13 years old, but it’s still totally okay for upper elementary. Kids that love graphic novels will devour this!

[Ms. B · Rating 5 out of 5]

A memoir about Dan Santat's first trip to Europe as a teenager in the late 1980s as part of a student group led by one of his junior high teachers. What would it be like to be a young teenager and be mostly on your own for three weeks in Europe? Dan meets a girl, goes to a nightclub and sneaks into Wimbledon(!) to name only a few of his experiences.
As Dan alludes to in his author's note at the end of the book, the world was a different place. There are no cell phone and the internet as we know it today did not exist. People took photos with cameras that required film. Unless you wanted to use up your film quickly, you didn't take second photos of moments & landmarks. Instead, you simply hoped for the best. School trips weren't filled up with itineraries and scheduled activities. Instead teens were given time and freedom to explore on their own for much of the day without adults(!).
Young teens who like graphic novels, especially one like Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood , Vera Brosgal's Anya's Ghost, Jennifer L. Holm's Sunny series, Parachute Kids: A Graphic Novel, or Pumpkinheads should enjoy this 2023 National Book Award Finalist for Young People’s Literature.

[Raina · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my personal mantras is "The first time you do anything is hard." One of the things that makes adolescence so exciting/scary is the fact that during adolescence, you have new experiences constantly. Here, Santat tells the story of the first time he traveled outside of the United States.

It was 1989, and he went on a three week trip/tour of Europe, with other middle schoolers from several parts of the US. They spent time in France, Switzerland, Austria, Germany, England. While on the trip, 13-year-old Santat tries smoking for the first time, and drinking alcohol, along with a host of other new experiences. In the Acknowledgements, Santat states that the inspiration for this book came from his kids asking him about the first time he fell in love. As the parent of an almost-13-year-old, my eyes boggle a bit at some of the stuff he gets into. 1989 was definitely a different time (lol, yes - I hear myself).

Interesting to me was that I went on a somewhat similar trip, myself. I was 8 years old, and it was 1991, and it was a five-week trip with my parents that covered England, the Netherlands, Austria, and Germany. Some of the sights were the same, like the slide in the mine on page 237. This really brought back some memories.

Santat illustrates everything in his recognizable full-color illustration style. He includes some great backmatter, including photos from the real trip, and details about some things he changed for the benefit of the story. It's exciting to see him doing something for an older age group (I've had my eye on him for our annual citywide author celebration for years). As a fan of both graphic novels for kids and graphic novel travelogues, this is a great example of both!

[Basic B's Guide · Rating 5 out of 5]

Both my kids read this and then told me to skip it. I think that's more because they didn't want to have conversations about middle school stuff than them liking the book. lol

2023 National Book Award Winner for Young People's Literature, this is definitely worth the read.

We've read and enjoyed the authors children books - The Adventures of Beekle and After the Fall. Highly recommend for 5 and under.

This middle grade graphic memoir covers his time in Europe that changed his life. Middle school can be pretty awful but he shows how picking yourself back up and trying new things can be life changing.

[Josh Caporale · Rating 5 out of 5]

It feels good to finish a book in 3 hours. It feels even better to finish a book that is excellent like this one in such a short period of time. It was a graphic novel targeted toward younger readers, but so was "New Kid" by Jerry Craft and that went on to win the Newbery Medal. This book is in contention to do the same and rightfully so. It feels like I have a thing for graphic memoirs, for they often receive five stars from me: "The Complete Maus" by Art Spiegelman, "The Complete Persepolis" by Marjane Satrapi, "They Called Us Enemy" by George Takei, and now there is A First Time for Everything. I liked Santat's approach, I liked his voice, and he does everything right, even if he needs to tweak things around on some occasions, but at least he admits to it at the end of this book and not in an interview several years later or through someone else that may deny something.

We follow Dan Santat briefly talking about his life, his experience in middle school that showed a more cynical, crueler side to the world, and ultimately up to the main aspect of this graphic text: his three-week trip to Europe during the summer after he graduated middle school. He goes with a few male students (Braden and Darryl) and three female students (Shelley, Joy, and Amber) from their area outside of Los Angeles and they end up meeting up with other students that are right outside of St. Louis. Mrs. Bjork, who is Dan's speech coach, serves as the teacher that accompanies them on their trip. I cannot help but think of how much she reminds me of Mrs. MacGrady from the TV show "Arthur." Dan is often picked on by the girls, but gets along quite well with the boys.

They visit five European countries on their visit: France (in Paris), Switzerland (in Lucerne), Germany (in Munich), Austria (Salzburg and Vienna), and the United Kingdom (in London). Dan engages in quite a few experiences, such as trying and loving Fanta, trying fondue, trying beer for the first time, staying at a pretty cool place with welcoming hosts, and attending a semifinal match at Wimbledon. The biggest experience, though, is meeting Amy Glucksbringer from St. Louis. They develop feelings for one another in that cute way and come together in a way that is just as awkward, but ultimately fulfilling.

If there a book that captures the idea of coming to age, this is the book. I saw a lot of reflections of myself when reading this book, primarily when it came to insecurities and the bad habits that come with overthinking a situation. Many of us deal with these challenges, though, and we can hope that those around us will be able to understand. If anything, they will eventually come around. I loved how honest and clear Santat was with his illustrations. His illustrations of flashbacks are especially exceptional and help make the reading experience even clearer. It is evident that Santat's Caldecott chops can be seen when reading this book. I loved the development of these characters and how they embody honest emotions, even if Santat exaggerates particular details for effect. The fact that we get characters speaking different languages without translation can be mind-boggling, but that is the way that it was perceived in the book. If Dan did not know what they were saying, then how would he be able to decipher this to us the reader unless it was translated by someone else who was doing the translating, which does take place. He does add footnotes where footnotes are necessary and does a great job depicting information involving trivia, such as the origins of Fanta.

A First Time for Everything does a great job making me feel something for each of these characters and I was clearly immersed in Santat's story. I felt satisfied about the way he illustrated his trip to Europe and how it changed him (primarily) for the better. As I mentioned before, there were alterations made for effect, but as he said, his feelings for everyone in this piece were accurate.

I highly encourage people to check out this graphic memoir! I think it will have a positive difference on its target audience and help boost their confidence in a huge and opportunistic world.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was a bit teary at the end of this, mostly because I taught middle-school students for a lot of years and I saw some of my students in some of the story. It may be parts are fictionalized but Dan's graphic memoir felt very real. It focuses on a European trip he and his classmates took toward the end of their 8th-grade year. I traveled with my students, too, and know they held secrets during the trip, just as Dan did, including strange encounters out in the world and those about falling in love. In this, Dan's group meshes with another one, where he meets Amy. With the urging of some other girls (those romance makers), finally, finally Dan figures out how he really wants to be, to act. The interaction with the kind teacher, the real adventures that he takes, and with Amy, too, touch the heart. Uses of some literary quotes along with Dan's terrific art add to the reading pleasure. See page 219's art, all you need is that instead of words! The afterword from Dan is heartfelt. It's a 'don't miss' new book!

[DaNae · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh to be thirteen, almost fourteen, and remember you never need to do it again! This is nostalgia for everyone who went away from home with peers and hormones a raging. Little Dan is almost too good to believe, even with the smoking, drinking and bike stealing, but he really is that kind.

Popsugar23: #15 - A book with a song lyric as its title
(This was always going to prove to be challenging. I would have loved to find a title and song that I loved equally, but when I put the names of songs into GoodREads, I did not get satisfactory results. There just are not tempting books titled, KING OF THE ROAD and the COPA CABANA. Indisputably the two greatest songs to date. On a whim, this morning I put the title of this excellent graphic novel into Spotify and got a hit. It is mullet-county, but there are for sure a few crossover sentiments.)

For your listening, and perm enjoyment:

https://youtu.be/VE-13u-NfVo

[Christina Close · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a perfect depiction of what it's like to be bullied in middle school. Anything and everything is up for picking on whether it's how you dress, the way you talk or the way you act. Kids and teenagers just are terrible to each other when they are uncomfortable about a situation.

Poor Dan got a lot of bullying because he was self-conscious about everything he did or said. The way he interacts with his classmates is a true example of what it's like to be an outsider and not know how you fit in with everyone else.

The trip to Europe is something that not everyone gets to do in their lifetime and the fact that he got to go with his classmates and experience his first love and heartbreak all in one trip was heartbreaking but a good lesson for him.

He made all kinds of friends on the trip but also learned about different cultures and ways of living. It was for sure an experience I wish I could have gotten at that age.

[Deborah Zeman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this graphic memoir. Brought back lots of those angsty middle school feeling but with a lot of humor. A study abroad trip to be remembered and a great lesson to be learned “don’t be afraid of the unexpected”. Makes you think, you never know what you may miss if you don’t step out of your comfort zone and try. Dan would never have had the amazing time he did on his study abroad trip if he didn’t take that step into the unexpected: first kiss, first new friends from other countries, first time learning new cultures and languages, first love. I liked how he reflected on the lack of technology we had in the 80s…it didn’t stop us from having a great time. I loved the use of the different Fanta flavors to mark the chapters and the music! Definitely scan that QR code…leads you to an amazing Spotify playlist. Thanks for an amazing trip down memory lane!

[Matti Karjalainen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dan Santatin "A First Time for Everything" (First Second, 2023) on omaelämäkerrallinen sarjakuva huonosta itseluotttamuksesta kärsivän ja himpun verran aran kolmetoistavuotiaan amerikkalaispojan leirikoulumatkasta Eurooppaan. Kahdeksankymmentäluvun loppuun sijoittuvalla reissullaan sankarimme tutustuu ihmisiin, kokee erilaisia asioita ensimmäistä kertaa ja oppii yhden jos toisenkin jutun elämästä.

Sympaattisessa ja kivasti kuvitettussa kasvutarinassa on samaa henkeä kuin Raina Telgemeierin oivallisissa nuoruuskuvauksissa. Polkupyörävarkautta emme silti hyväksy.

[trice · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was actually really good! love the travel adventures, and despite the second-hand embarrassments, i resonate with the insecurities and awkwardness dan had. the art is amazing and brought back nostalgia about my own trip to europe. a surprisingly fast read too. my fave so far!!

battle of the books 24 #3

[Tamara York · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars Excellent graphic memoir about a school trip to Europe in 1989. This book perfectly captures the awkwardness of middle school and the moments that lead to finally feeling comfortable in your own skin. Highly recommend for middle school and up.

[Feliciana · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 rounded up.

[Jordan Morris · Rating 4 out of 5]

A funny and sweet coming of age story. Absolutely beautiful to look at.

[Mad · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25
I liked the art style. very cozy.

I also loved how people spoke in German and French all the time. _I_ speak German and French! I understood all the foreign language speech bubbles! hehehehehe

[Eric Sutton · Rating 5 out of 5]

So cute! Goes to show that behind the snarkiness of eighth graders there lies a pretty vulnerable person (which can be easy to forget sometimes!). Santat taps into that insecure era of youth, where it can seem as if everything is going against you. The truth is, though, that upon reflection, some pretty amazing things happen as well. His memoir chronicles the highs and lows of his life at age fourteen as he navigates a school trip. No severe trauma or hardship follows him. It's only Dan and his insecurities; however, they are so relatable! The coming-of-age story is a familiar one - learning to trust oneself, learn from mistakes, and find connections - but its presentation here, in this format, feels fresh. The ending really moved me. Enjoy!

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

“If you only had one day to explore the most famous city in the world, what would you do?”

“You know what the best part of being a teenager is? …You only have to do it once.

I don’t generally read graphic novels, but how could I resist a memoir about a class trip to Europe that changed someone’s life? Such a clever memoir. I loved that the parts when he was thinking about past events didn’t have any color. I loved all of his drawings of the things he saw. I loved the Fanta cans at the beginning of each chapter. I didn’t realize Fanta was a WWII invention! I loved the story. Middle graders are the target audience, but any age will like this one.

[Kristi Hovington · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite graphic novel of the year (so far), and one that I am 100% positive my students will love. It captures the awkwardness of being a teen perfectly, and also the magic of exploring Europe for the first time and how experiencing different cultures can illuminate previously hidden aspects of one’s self. The author is Gen X; many of his memories of the time (1989) in the book felt familiar to me.

[Joy Kirr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid read - There was always something happening (even if I didn’t understand all the French or German), it was realistic, and it reminded me of how much we were able to do on our own back in 1989. I think a lot of kids would like this one.