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Middle School Virtual Book Club

in collaboration with JSSA Heyman Interages Center

Students in grades 7 & 8 are invited to join a 4 week discussion of The First State of Being by Erin Entrada Kelly.

Students in grades 7 & 8 are invited to join a 4 week discussion of The First State Of Being by Erin Entrada Kelly. Participants will be joined by senior volunteers from the JCA Heyman Interages Center, bringing together readers of a wide age range to develop book evaluation and discussion skills. Attendance at all 4 sessions plus completion and presentation of a Reflection project will earn students 8 SSL hours. 

The First State of Being won the 2025 Newbery Medal and is a story of time travel, friendship, found family, and first loves. What would you do if you met someone from the future? It's 1999 and Michael is panicked about the possibility of the world being forever changed with the new century. Then he meets Ridge, who is the first time traveler. Ridge has a book that outlines the events of the next twenty years. Michael really wants to get his hands on it, but is that possible? Or wise? Or being a good friend?

Registration is required and is limited to 14 participants, who must meet grade level requirements. 

Questions? Contact Judy at White Oak Library at 240-773-9555. 

The book is available in conventional print, large print, ebook, eaudio, and Playaway. Don't have a library card right now?  No worries!  Find out how to Get a Library Card.

Accommodation Requests

To request an accommodation, contact the library branch where you want the accommodation. If they are unable to help, or if you need an accommodation for an online resource or event, complete our Accommodation Request Form online or call Library Administration at 240-777-0002.

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