A First Time for Everything

Based on the author’s middle-school trip to Europe in 1989, and if like me, you mostly travel via books, you’ll probably appreciate the variety of countries this one visits and the beautifully illustrated landmarks depicted in each city, the perfectly rendered center court of Wimbledon ranked high among my favorites.

I would have loved a little more about Dan’s parents but I am an adult reader so maybe that’s why I was curious about them, other than that I don’t have a lot of complaints about this one.

In addition to the armchair travel and eighties details like Fanta sodas and John McEnroe, there’s the sweetest little romance, at its most adorable whenever she rested her head on him. There’s also a well-constructed show more character arc for Dan as he struggles to feel more comfortable in his skin and put embarrassing moments behind him which makes for a relatable read whether you went to Europe in middle-school or not. show less

This book is less about avoiding the cringey disastrous moments and more about finding out in your soul that they don't matter. That those stories that shape us when we are young will still have some hold on us, but that getting out of your comfort zone can help put things into perspective in a beautiful way. I loved this book -- the travel, the awkward teens, the way things really do change when you get out the in the world, the adventures that become epic memories (some of them terrible). Charming, funny, sweet, authentic.

Dan Santat lightly dramatizes a real school trip he took with a group of classmates to Europe in 1989 during the summer between middle school and high school.

An anxious, buttoned-up, and risk-averse boy finds the first steps toward independence, adventure, and even the possibility of a summer fling.

Cute and relatable.

Dan Santat was a happy kid - until middle school. After a miserable couple of years of trying to stay under the radar and avoid bullying, Dan is heading to Europe for three weeks on a trip with other kids from his school and elsewhere. He's not excited, but it proves a life-changing, and confidence-building, experience. Set in 1989, the young teens have a lot more freedom than most do now, but no harm comes to them. Through several countries and every flavor of Fanta, it's a journey of discovery, exploration, bravery, and firsts.

Back matter: author's note, recreating old memories ("some events and names were modified"), photos, postmarked letters, acknowledgments

Quotes

...seeing the world as a bigger place made it feel much friendlier. show more (193)

"All I can say is that when you get to be my age you realized life is full of pain and joy and in the end all those moments shape you into who you are, for better or worse. The most important factor is how you deal with all those life experiences. That's what defines a person's character." (Mrs. Bjork, 255) show less

Looking through my years of reading Dan Santat‘s books, I realize that every single one of them I have rated five stars. This does not break that streak. This book was fantastic. It was a love story. It was an adventure story. It was a story about finding yourself. And Dan does that all through an autobiography in graphic format about going to Europe for the first time while in middle school. There is so much heart and love in this book and that Dan added the pictures at the end and the envelopes with Amy with the letters going back-and-forth… It was just perfect. You come away from this book with a smile on your face, just wanting more and going man is this author good. He can tell a story not just to keep kids entertained and show more interested but to keep adults entertained and interested as well. This author already has a Caldecott Medal now he’s going for Newbery, and I hope he gets it. show less

In the summer between middle school and high school, Dan reluctantly takes a trip to Europe with a group of other students. In the freedom of being away from home, he explores this new independence by having a few adventures, making new friends, and even finding first love with another girl on the trip. But what will happen when the trip is over and they go back to their own homes?

I really enjoyed this graphic memoir. Santat perfectly captures all of those adolescent feelings, both the good and the bad. I felt like I was there! Dan's adventures make for a satisfying reading experience, especially when coupled with his excellent drawings.

An utter delight from Dan Santat about his middle school European trip! This was just such a fun read complete with drawings, 80's pop culture references (Knight Rider and Santat's drawing of David Hasselhoff was hands down my favorite. Although the Princess Diana appearance during John McEnroe's semifinal match would be a close second) and Fanta. Lots and Lots of Fanta. I lived vicarious through the exploits of Paris and Vienna, the German countryside, and Wimbledon.

It is a great story about friendship and finding yourself. It's a fun tale of adventure and exploits during a different time (hence Santat chronicling his way underage episode of drinking beer.) It's the story of firsts: love, loss, broken heart, flight, you name it.

So show more many of my library kids will enjoy this! show less