The First Part Last by Angela Johnson

A. Bibliography

Johnson, Angela. The First Part Last. Simon & Schuster. 2003. ISBN# 0-689-84922-2.

B. Plot/Summary

This is a story of a 16-year-old, Bobby, who becomes a father unexpectedly. He is bound and determined to "do the right thing." At first, the "right thing" was to put the baby up for adoption, however, when circumstances change, so does the "right thing." The book alternates between his present reality of caring for his baby girl, Feather, and the past events that led up to her birth.

C. Critical Analysis

The characters of Bobby and Nia are so believable. The situation they find themselves in is exactly what happens to many teenagers today. There is believable language, with occasional swearing and some references to Bobby's sexual experiences with Nia, the baby's mother. Additionally, the emotional growth of Bobby is remarkable. He always wanted to "do the right thing", which at first was put the baby up for adoption. However, after extreme circumstances, he decided that it would be to raise the baby himself while still trying to attend high school.

The plot was so true to life and very engaging. Johnson allows the audience to care about the characters and maybe in some cases, put themselves in that very situation. The story was so surprising because no one would expect Bobby to take on raising the baby. I really like how this story is told from the father's point of view.

The setting is definitely contemporary. This story can take place at any point in time and place because the topic of teen pregnancy is a huge at any place or time, especially lately.

D. Awards/ Review Excerpts

Coretta Scott King Award 2004

Michael L. Printz Award 2004

YALSA 2004 Top Ten Best Books for Young Adults

Kristi Lainhart (The Kutztown University Book Review, Fall 2005)

"This is a well written and touching book that will appeal to young adult readers for its true-to-life characters."

Claire Rosser (KLIATT Review, January 2005 (Vol. 39, No. 1)

"Johnson has a way of getting to her readers' emotions with few words, creating characters we really care about."

E. Connections

*other books by Angela Johnson

Heaven

The Wedding

One of Three

* other books on teen pregnancy

Dancing Naked: A Novel by Shelley Hrdlitschka

Doormat: A Novel by Kelly McWilliams

November Blues by Sharon Draper