It’s easy to forget how far we’ve come.
Sometimes it feels like we’ll never reach our goals. We see the accomplishments of others and wonder what’s taking us so long. We see how much road is ahead of us, but seldom take the time to look back and see where our road trip began…how far we’ve come.
This is your sign to look back.
Look back at your past self. Try to remember just what you were hoping for or working towards. Chances are, you are living that version of yourself right now. Or at least closer to that version than you were way back then.
This is your sign to celebrate that!
Time travel books are my favorite. They always remind me to zoom out and look at things from the perspective of my past self or my future self. It’s an effective way to assess where you were, where you are, and where you want to be.
Today’s story swirl post highlights one such book.
Middle Grade Book: The First State of Being by Erin Entrada Kelly
In this heartfelt, Newbery Medal-winning, time-slip novel set in 1999, Michael (a quiet boy obsessed with Y2K) forms an unexpected friendship with a mysterious new classmate who seems out of place and time. It’s a story about change, connection, and the moments that shape who we are.
Book feels like:
- The hum of a dial-up modem
- A shoebox of old photos under your bed
- A spark that jumps between two people when they finally get each other
Wonder Prompt:
If you could spend one day in another time—past or future—what message would you bring back with you?
Spark Activity: “Time Capsule Pen Pals” (Team building + Reflection focus)
Have each student write a letter to a future kid who will read their words 25 years from now. They can include:
- One thing they love about being their age
- One challenge they think the future might solve
- One question they’d ask a kid from the past
Pair students up and have them exchange letters as “time pen pals,” answering each other’s questions as if they were from the year 2050.
Activity Twist: Create a real time capsule to reopen at the end of the school year!
I know this post will appeal to teachers, parents, and educators. But I also hope that it’s beneficial to those of you working towards something big too. Middle Grade books aren’t just for kids and classrooms. The messages found inside their pages are some of the most inspirational ones you’ll find. I think that’s why I love them so much.
Kids are inherently filled with dreams of what could be. When I read their stories and hear about their hopes for the future, it’s always a sign for me to tap into my 12 year-old self. To forget about any perceived obstacles, to power through them, and to keep going.
If you’ve read this far today, this is a sign for you to do the same.
Until next time, keep dreaming & keep working towards your goals, but don’t forget to glance back at the road you’ve already traveled. Your future self will thank you!
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