Dan is 13 and it’s the summer before his first year in high school. Middle School hasn’t been kind to him, making him shy and keen to be even more invisible than before. Embarrassing events stick in his mind, and he finds it hard to break from any rules.

At home he is the only child of his Japanese American parents and they are close. His mum is often unwell, so he helps her with day to day chores. When she suggests he go on a school trip to Europe, he baulks at the idea – preferring to spend his summer playing on his computer in his room.

At the airport, he cringes at the sight of some of the kids who made middle school life difficult, and who will also be on the trip with him. His over protective mum makes things even worse, so he’s quickly keen to get on the on the plane to France.

Dan makes new friends named Braden and Darryl, which help relieve his misgivings a little. A long flight and their European adventure begins.

Dealing with a confusing baggage claim, misbehaving camera and a fear of heights is stressful, but a first taste of Fanta, drawing iconic architecture and wandering the streets of Paris without an adult is liberating.

Switzerland brings more interaction within the group including a bungled kiss that takes Dan right back to middle school horrors. But he also saves a tour mate and gets a dare. Germany brings more beautiful places and experiences, his first beer, another save and more Fanta. Austria and England open his eyes even more with previously unimaginable adventures, first love and a first kiss. And yet another flavour of Fanta.

By the time 13 year old Dan gets home to his small town just out of Los Angeles, he’s a different person – surprising his friends with his new found confidence. Maybe his over protective mum was right all along in sending him out into the world.

I’m a huge fan of Dan Santat’s books and style of illustration. When I first saw this Graphic Novel memoir, I knew I had to have a copy. A first time for everything wasn’t released in NZ so I ordered it and relished every page.

Middle School horrors are the base of so many middle-grade novels, and although NZ’s schooling is different, being that age is the same. Growing up can be horrendously confusing, embarrassing, and difficult going into the early teen years no matter where you live in the world. This graphic novel memoir is raw in places, where 13 yr old Dan hides from his peers’ laughter, or bungles things that his tour mates seem to find much easier. But there are lots of fun interactions too.

What I loved the most is the heart to hearts Dan had with different people he met, allowing him to see he is normal. Everyone has moments where they want to crawl under the carpet. Meeting new people and seeing new places opens Dan’s eyes to the world and builds his inner courage authentically.

Loved it. Thanks for sharing, Dan.

Winner of the 2023 National Book Award for Young People’s Literature (USA)

Author / Illustrator – Dan Santat

Age – 10+

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(2023, First Second, Roaring Brook Press, Graphic Novel, Base on true events, School, Growing up, Adventure, Friendship, Humour, Life Changing, New experiences, European trip, School trip, Overseas travel, New People, Drawing, Sketching, Paris, Munich, Switzerland, Bus travel, Tennis, John McEnroe, Breaking Rules, First time, Being yourself, Identity, Asian American, Japanese American, Middle grade, Memoir, Coming of age, Award winning author, Award winning illustrator)