Podcast
NPR News Now
The title was highlighted as the Newbery Medal winner, with Andrew Limbong noting its story of a 12‑year‑old boy fretting over the Y2K crisis who encounters a future time traveler. He emphasized the book’s blend of time‑travel adventure and family themes, presenting it as a standout recent children’s novel. The overall tone was enthusiastic, marking it as a top recommendation.
Episode: NPR News: 01-27-2025 5PM EST
It was highlighted as the Newbery Medal winner, a story about a time traveler set in 1999 that follows a 12yearold boy worried about the Y2K crisis.
The big winner was The First State of Being by Aaron N. Trotta-Kelly, who won the Newbery Medal. As NPR's Andrew Limbong reports, it's about a time traveler at the turn of the century.
The book takes place in 1999 and centers Michael Rosario, a 12-year-old boy fretting about the coming Y2K crisis, who then meets a time traveler from the future obsessed with 1999 culture.