First Part Last

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Johnson, Angela. 2003. THE FIRST PART LAST. New York, New York: Simon & Schuster.

ISBN 0689849222

2. PLOT SUMMARY

Bobby is a young man who likes to spend time skipping school, going to the movies and hanging out with his two best friends. On Bobby’s sixteenth birthday, his girlfriend Nia informs him that she is pregnant. With pressure from their parents, Bobby and Nia decide to give the baby up for adoption, but before the adoption takes place, tragedy strikes Nia, and Bobby finds himself keeping their baby girl Feather, and raising her on his own.

3. CRITICAL ANALSYSIS

In the First Part Last, the readers will feel and hear the story through the eyes of sixteen year old Bobby who has been told by his girlfriend Nia, that she is pregnant. Johnson has written this story with alternating chapters between “then” and “now”. The “then” chapters tells about Nia and Bobby’s struggles that the pregnancy presents and the difficult decision of putting their baby up for adoption due to the pressure put upon them by their parents. The “now” chapters are about Bobby’s struggle to raise his daughter, Feather, as a single parent due to a tragedy that takes Nia. These struggles include staying up at night and then having to go to school, bathing, feeding, changing diapers, and getting Feather to the babysitters on time. This story is written with sensitivity but the reality of teenage pregnancy and the obstacles, love and emotions that come with raising a child as a single parent.

The setting of this story takes place in Bobby’s childhood home and neighborhood in New York. The setting helps to set the tone of the story. Although Bobby comes from a home where his father owns his own restaurant and his mom is a photographer, Bobby still has some rough edges about him, for example when he defaces public property by drawing graffiti on a wall. Bobby does a lot of remembering back on his own childhood when he starts to experience things now as Feather’s father such as the nurse that he knew growing up helping him with feather when she is sick, and the babysitter he had growing up is now Feathers.

When reading this story of emotions and struggles the reader will clearly understand the theme which is accepting responsibilities and the true meaning of sacrifice.

The language can sometimes be rough, harsh and can describe issues that are more appropriate for older readers. The concept of the story can be a great way to start discussions on teenage pregnancy and the responsibilities and consequences that come along with it.

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

Publishers Weekly: “A 16-year-old tells the story of how he became a single dad. In a starred review of this companion to Heaven, PW said, "The author skillfully relates the hope in the midst of pain.”

School Library Journal: “In this lyrical novel, 16-year-old Bobby narrates his journey into teenage fatherhood, struggling to balance school, parenting, and friends who simply do not comprehend his new role and his breathtaking love for his daughter.” Winner of the 2004 SRT Coretta Scott King Author Award and the 2004 YALSA Michael L. Printz Award for literary excellence.

Voice of Youth Advocate: “This well-written book is not like anything that I've ever read before. It goes fast and has realistic fiction, romance, and suspense all in one. Most teen pregnancy books are about what the girl goes through, but this one is written from a different, exciting angle. Both girls and boys can read it.”

5. CONNECTION

Another book about a boy raising a child:

Bechard, Margaret. HANGING ON TO MAX. ISBN 9780689862687

Other books by Angela Johnson:

Johnson, Angela. HEAVEN. ISBN 9780689822902

Johnson, Anglea. IDREAM OF TRAINS. ISBN 9780689826092