The First Part Last

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More About This Book

Overview

This little thing with the perfect face and hands doing nothing but counting on me. And me wanting nothing else but to run crying into my own mom's room and have her do the whole thing.

It's not going to happen....

Bobby is your classic urban teenaged boy — impulsive, eager, restless. On his sixteenth birthday he gets some news from his girlfriend, Nia, that changes his life forever. She's pregnant. Bobby's going to be a father. Suddenly things like school and house parties and hanging with friends no longer seem important as they're replaced by visits to Nia's obstetrician and a social worker who says that the only way for Nia and Bobby to lead a normal life is to put their baby up for adoption.

With powerful language and keen insight, Johnson looks at the male side of teen pregnancy as she delves into one young man's struggle to figure out what "the right thing" is and then to do it. No matter what the cost.

Winner of the 2004 Coretta Scott King Award (Writing Category)
Winner of the 2004 Michael L. Printz Award for Excellence in Young Adult Literature

Editorial Reviews

From Barnes & Noble
The Barnes & Noble Review
Author Angela Johnson follows up her Coretta Scott King Award–winning novel, Heaven, with this absorbing prequel about a single teen struggling to accept his new paternal role.

In chapters that flash between Bobby's relationship with Nia leading up to Feather's birth (entitled "then") and his life now that he's a father on his own ("now"), Johnson paints an honest, vivid portrait of a man straddling the line between childhood and adulthood. Throughout the book, Bobby fights his own sleep deprivation and desire to hand off Feather to someone else for caretaking, and in one tense episode, he takes off to go spray-painting while his daughter is looked after by a neighbor. Chapter by chapter the events surrounding Bobby's situation become clearer, and after the narrative reaches a pivotal chapter (called "Nia") that marks Bobby's transformation into single parenthood, the true surprise comes near the end, when we learn what has happened to Feather's mom that eventually spurs Bobby to move to Heaven, Ohio.

In a powerful, spare read that will grip you on several levels, Johnson delivers a worthy continuation of Heaven. The characters' relationship dynamics -- Bobby with Nia, his parents, and Feather -- are deep yet subtle, while the book's main character is one not often found in young adult literature. The First Part Last is an original read that will stir you to the core. Matt Warner

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." Ages 12-up. (Dec.) Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.
More Reviews (1) Fewer Reviews
From The Critics
Narrated in first-person point of view from the perspective of Bobby, a young, black male, this adolescent novel depicts life before and after having a child. By showing the tremendous responsibility that accompanies teenage parenthood, Johnson attempts to compel teenagers to evaluate the ramifications of premarital sex and pregnancy. Because most stories are written from the perspective of the teenage mother, the author presents her story in a unique way by writing from the viewpoint of a teenage father. The cover of the novel depicts a young African-American male holding an infant, which foreshadows the content of the novel. Stylistically, by titling the chapters consistently "now" and "then," except for one chapter is titled "Nia" and the final chapter titled "heaven," Johnson compels the reader to examine closely the changes that occur in Bobby's life. The title as well the book's division into four parts help emphasize the tremendous impact that Feather, Bobby's baby daughter, has on the young protagonist. By setting the book in New York, Angela Johnson helps debunk many common stereotypes. The entire novel attempts to teach about life, growth, and maturity. Johnson does a good job of showing the impact that having a child can have on life. 2003, Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers, Ages 12 up.
—Alicia Dodson

Product Details

  • ISBN-13: 9780689849237
  • Publisher: Simon Pulse
  • Publication date: 1/28/2005
  • Format: Mass Market Paperback
  • Edition description: Reprint
  • Pages: 144
  • Sales rank: 29,057
  • Age range: 12 - 17 Years
  • Lexile: 790L (what's this?)
  • Series: Heaven Trilogy Series
  • Product dimensions: 4.20 (w) x 7.00 (h) x 0.40 (d)

Meet the Author

ANGELA JOHNSON has won three Coretta Scott King Awards, one each for her novels The First Part Last, Heaven, and Toning the Sweep. The First Part Last was also the recipient of the Michael L Printz Award. She has written numerous books for younger readers, including the Coretta Scott King Honor Book When I Am Old with You, illustrated by David Soman; Wind Flyers and I Dream of Trains, both illustrated by Loren Long; A Sweet Smell of Roses; Lottie Paris Lives Here; and the upcoming All Different Now (2013). In recognition of her outstanding talent, Angela was named a 2003 MacArthur Fellow. She lives in Kent, Ohio.

Read an Excerpt

The First Part Last

By Angela Johnson

Simon & Schuster

Copyright © 2003 Angela Johnson
All right reserved.
ISBN: 0-689-84922-2

Chapter One

now

My mom says that I didn't sleep through the night until I was eight years old. It didn't make any difference to her 'cause she was up too, listening to the city. She says she used to come into my room, sit cross-legged on the floor by my bed, and play with my Game Boy in the dark.

We never talked.

I guess I thought she needed to be there. And she must have thought her being there made everything all better for me.

Yeah.

I get it now. I really get it.

We didn't need to say it. We didn't have to look at each other or even let the other one know we saw each other in the glow of the Game Boy.

So last week when it looked like Feather probably wasn't ever going to sleep through the night, I lay her on my stomach and breathed her in. My daughter is eleven days old.

And that sweet new baby smell ... the smell of baby shampoo, formula, and my mom's perfume. It made me cry like I hadn't since I was a little kid.

It scared the hell out of me. Then, when Feather moved on my stomach like one of those mechanical dolls in the store windows at Christmas, the tears dried up. Like that.

I thought about laying her in the middle of my bed and going off to find my old Game Boy, but I didn't.

Things have to change.

I've been thinking about it. Everything. And when Feather opens her eyes and looks up at me, I already know there's change. But I figure if the world were really right, humans would live life backward and do the first part last. They'd be all knowing in the beginning and innocent in the end.

Then everybody could end their life on their momma or daddy's stomach in a warm room, waiting for the soft morning light.

then

And this is how I turned sixteen....

Skipped school with my running buddies, K-Boy and J. L., and went to Mineo's for a couple of slices. Hit a matinee and threw as much popcorn at each other as we ate. Then went to the top of the Empire State Building 'cause I never had before.

I said what everybody who'd ever been up there says.

"Everybody looks like ants."

Yeah, right....

Later on that night my pops, Fred, made my favorite meal - cheese fries and ribs - at his restaurant. I caught the subway home and walked real slow 'cause I knew my mom had a big-ass cake for me when I got there, and I was still full. (In my family, special days mean nonstop food.)

I never had any cake though 'cause my girlfriend Nia was waiting on our stoop for me with a red balloon. Just sittin' there with a balloon, looking all lost. I'll never forget that look and how her voice shook when she said, "Bobby, I've got something to tell you."

Then she handed me the balloon.

(Continues...)


Excerpted from The First Part Last by Angela Johnson Copyright © 2003 by Angela Johnson. Excerpted by permission.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.
Customer Reviews
Average Rating 4.5
( 215 )

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  • Posted January 20, 2009

    First part last

    The book First Part Last by Angela Johnson was really good. Anyone looking for a good book that is short and and still fun to read, this is the book for you. You learn alot about teenage pregnacy, and all of the things you have to over come. The main characters name is Bobby, he is 16 and since he had intercourse with his girlfriend Nia, his life has changed forever. Bobby has to get rid of friends, sports, and his studies. Once his girlfriend Nia has the baby, he has to take care of it, he never sleeps anymore because Feather is keeping him awake. Bobby is raising this baby all by himself. When the baby was born they were going to put Feather up for adoption. Bobby loved Feather at first sight, so he decided that he wanted to take care of him. That might have been the worst decision he has ever made. People think that they wont get pregnant but this story shows that it happens often. I Liked the book alot, I reccomend this book to teenagers that are thinking about having sex for the first time, it could change your mind.

    7 out of 7 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted July 11, 2011

    Loved it!!!

    Overall this was a great book... im happy to see a males point of view in raising a kid... no men dont give birth but this book shows just how a woman steps up and takes resposibiliy so can a man... great read :)

    4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 9, 2003

    The World's Greastest Book on Young Parenthood

    This book is one of the best books that I have read. It had capture me in Part 1. I've read this book in three days. I wanted to keep reading it and bring it home so I could finish it. But, I couldn't It was time for me to leave and go. But, this book is great. I gave it 5 stars because, it deals with the pressure of going to his parents and Nia's. Him crying for his mom because, he now has to be a grown up even though he's just a kid hisself.

    4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted December 11, 2008

    I Also Recommend:

    Read this challenging book!

    The first part last by Angela Johnson, is an amazing book. I really recommen you to read it. The author really explains everything with details its very esay to understand she makes you feel like you were one of the characters in the book. Bobby the main charaters would change your mind about babies, if your a person that don't like babies he will make you feel how wonderful having a kid is,but mostly he's going to give you a lesson when to have one too. Its not that easy, so read this book its very intersting and emotional.

    3 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted July 14, 2008

    Not the best

    I thought this book was overly ambitious. I get how this is to provide insight on the male side of teen pregnancy, but it really wasnt anything I didnt expect. Some of it was confusing because Bobby never straight out said anything, he was all dramatic using metaphors and imagery. Simple acts like waking Feather up could lead to him babbling about something different for pages to come. Why didnt he flat out say what happened to Nia? What the heck happened to this story? It was just too short to really portray anything. Im sorry, but I was disappointed.

    2 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted December 28, 2011

    Amazing

    This book captures the mind of teens towards talking about teen pregnancy. Its important to explain to your child the struggles and changes you have to do just because of that one mistake of getting pregnant while still being a teen. This story explains the life of uthis boy named bobby and the life changing moments he has to do while raising his daughter by himself.......... :)

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted October 10, 2011

    I Also Recommend:

    Awesome Book!

    I usually buy and read about 2 to 3 books a week and this is in my top 10 favorites. Everyone usually focuses on the mother when it comes to teen pregnancy, but this book is told by the father who is raising his baby alone. The entire book is great, but the ending is amazing! I think teenagers and Adults both would enjoy this very touching story.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted June 29, 2011

    I really wanted to fall in love with this book, but... I never did. From the beginning of the story I disliked Nia and couldn't understand why the daughter, Feather (dumb name by the way) lived with her father instead of her mother as that is not typically the case. I understand it now, but I still don't really like Nia. The book is written with parts of Then and Now alternating... but each part of the story is told so quickly, it's a little confusing. Overall the book could have been better, but it wasn't the worst book I've read.

    1 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted May 21, 2011

    first part last

    this book is off the chain and the hook it involves teen pregnacy and bieng a mother and a father stepping up to the plate doing the right thing owning up to there responsibilities....i really like this book and i think that you will too so check it out................?

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted May 14, 2011

    Inspiring

    Every teen should read this!

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted April 3, 2011

    fantastic book

    i loved this book! its a great read! =) it made me think about the choices that we make in life as teenagers...i think teens should read this book

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted May 9, 2011

    Great

    It is ver moving. It is very powerful and enjoyable. I would recomend this to anybody and everybody.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted March 23, 2010

    The First Part Last

    I recently read this book and i thought it was really good! The book was very realistic! Things like teenage pregnancy and death during labor are real life things that are not planned or predicted! I felt that the father was very smart and deep and that he didnt quite know what he was doing or what he'd gotten himself into but he did the right thing for himslef and his baby! All in all its a great book not very long but has a very lomglasting impact!

    1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted February 3, 2012

    Great

    Awesome book i read when i was 12 ...and its a great story with a lot of cuss words thou

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  • Anonymous

    Posted January 31, 2012

    AMAZING(:

    This book is AMAZING! I read it in one day! And when i was finished, i wished there was more! I highly recomend this book!

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  • Anonymous

    Posted January 23, 2012

    Help

    Is this book to old for me? Im 12. The funny thing is that im pregnant..... so plz help me!

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  • Anonymous

    Posted January 14, 2012

    Ok

    It was good but too short. Also kind of confusing because of the "then and now" thing.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted January 11, 2012

    Emotional allready

    I only read the sample but it allready sounds good. It is good bcause it is what really happenes to people. But people dont realize how sad and hard it can be. Teenage pregnancy is common and thats how kids ebd up having tough live. Because the teenage parents usually arent ready to take care of a child. Sounds like a good book.
    Thanks for reading. :0)

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  • Anonymous

    Posted January 7, 2012

    Heartwrenching

    Really tugged on my heartstrings. I loved it.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted January 3, 2012

    Life-changing

    Truly inspirational read. Tells the life of teenage pregnancy from a guys point of view raising the child... Every preteen and teenager needs to read this book,its short and wont take more than a couple hours!!!

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