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Erin Entrada Kelly’s recent accolade of the 2025 Newbery Medal for her novel The First State of Being adds a remarkable chapter to the legacy of time-travel narratives in children’s literature. This triumph marks a continuation of a lineage initiated by Madeleine L’Engle’s iconic work A Wrinkle in Time, recognized with the Newbery Medal in 1964. L’Engle’s profound storytelling not only captured the hearts of many readers but also paved the way for Rebecca Stead’s celebrated 2010 Newbery-winning novel When You Reach Me, which in turn, served as an inspiration for Kelly’s latest offering. This accolade is not unfamiliar territory for Kelly, as she previously received the prestigious award in 2018 for Hello Universe. In a recent conversation, Stead and Kelly reflected on their creative processes, the essence of inspiration, and the nuances of time travel.
Rebecca Stead: Erin, congratulations on your second Newbery Medal! How does this experience differ for you compared to the first time?
Erin Entrada Kelly: It’s an oddly surreal experience, and in some ways, it feels familiar while being different. Although I still carry the wonder of 2018, I’ve grown in my professional journey since then, which has tempered that initial whirlwind. Your experience post-win also resonates with me; you faced so many inquiries and discussions. I recall you mentioning those unanswerable “what if” questions from your youth that struck a chord with me. I often found myself awake at night pondering whether there was a best friend out there whom I’d never meet.
Stead: Absolutely, those questions consumed me too. There’s something bittersweet about wondering what life might have been like without the connections we hold dear. At a recent gathering for a friend’s birthday, I expressed my fear of a life where our paths never crossed—it’s both a fear of loss and a celebration of what we have. My goal with When You Reach Me was to encapsulate that profound sense of connection, which we strive for as writers.
Kelly: I relate to that deeply. I often encourage my students to consider the emotional journey they want readers to embark upon as they transition between chapters. In The First State of Being, my driving question was: how do we embrace the present when we have limited control over events? Acknowledging that difficult times are inevitable can lead us to contemplate our existence in that uncertainty.
Stead: I particularly resonate with the recurring sentiment in your book: “take every breath.” It strikes me as a source of comfort, reminding us of the inspiration found in feelings that words can evoke. When I finished A Wrinkle in Time as a child, it left me enveloped in emotion—that’s the essence of inspiration for me.
How would you describe the notion of “inspiration”? What comes to mind when people inquire about it?
Kelly: That question often stumps me. For me, it typically emerges from creating a character tied to a thought-provoking question. Attempting to construct plots without this foundation tends to falter. My fascination with time travel has always lingered, yet it wasn’t until Michael’s character surfaced that the narrative fell into place for me.
Stead: I’m curious whether your perspective on time travel aligns with mine. I perceive it as either “do-over” scenarios, akin to Back to the Future, where the past can be altered with repercussions for the future, or as “baked in,” where characters must confront the ramifications of their time travel. In both our works, it seems the outcomes are predetermined. Did you intend for this element?
Kelly: Certainly, I am captivated by how small choices can yield significant repercussions. There is a scene in the book where a routine trip to the mall has unforeseen consequences deeply intertwined with the narrative’s present. This concept of how our decisions shape our paths is something I ponder often.
Stead: Yes! This idea that each choice eliminates a multitude of alternative paths is such a profound reflection.
Kelly: I can affirm that I cherish the path I’ve taken, as it has brought me to the reality of fulfilling my lifelong dream. And before we conclude our discussion, I must express how delightful it is when readers draw parallels between my work and yours or mention that my stories resonate with fans of Rebecca Stead—I truly admire your writing!
Stead: Thank you! That reciprocity is mutual. I truly appreciate your work and feel we share a commitment to authentic storytelling featuring complex characters and unexpected narratives.
Kelly: It fills me with joy when readers notice the dedication of The First State of Being to “the laughing man,” recognizing him as a character from When You Reach Me.
Stead: That recognition is indeed a gift—an honor that bridges our stories.
The First State of Being by Erin Entrada Kelly. Greenwillow, $19.99 2024 ISBN 978-0-06333-731-2
When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead. Random/Lamb, $15.99 2009 ISBN 978-0-385-73742-5
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