Families who loved The First State of Being by Erin Entrada Kelly often look for books with a similar feel. These 20 recommendations were selected for their similarity in style, theme, and reading level.
Reach for this book when your child is feeling overwhelmed by 'what-ifs' or is struggling with anxiety about the future. Set against the backdrop of the 1999 Y2K panic, the story follows twelve-year-old Michael as he meets Ridge, a boy from the year 2199. While the plot involves time machines and secret missions, the heart of the book is about learning to let go of things we cannot control and finding peace in the present moment. It is a gentle, thoughtful science-fiction story that validates a child's worries while offering a hopeful perspective on resilience. Perfect for middle-grade readers ages 8 to 12, it provides a safe space to discuss anxiety and the beauty of the 'here and now' without being overly heavy or dark.