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36 pages 1 hour read

Dan Santat

A First Time for Everything

Nonfiction | Graphic Memoir | Middle Grade | Published in 2023

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Chapters 5-7Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapter 5 Summary: “Vienna”

In Vienna, Dan finds out that Amy is staying in the hotel because she’s sick. Amy’s friend tells Dan that if he always worries about getting hurt, he’ll never experience anything. Dan stares down at the lighter that Amy gave him, considering what her friend said. During the next few sights, Dan is disinterested and caught up in his thoughts, and his friends tell him that he’s ruining their fun. Dan stomps off and sits down on a bench, where Mrs. Bjork finds him. She invites him on the Ferris wheel after sensing that something is wrong, and Dan agrees to go. Sitting up above the world, Dan confesses that his life hasn’t been the same since he was booed off the stage during his speech and called a loser. Mrs. Bjork explains to Dan that positive and negative experiences shape us but that we have the power to decide how they shape us. That night at Wiener Stadtpark, Dan approaches Amy, and they dance together. Dan admits that he’s worried about getting hurt and tells Amy that he’s going to miss her when the trip ends. Amy runs off in tears but comes back moments later and sits down beside Dan.

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