the first part last by Angela Johnson

BIBLIOGRAPHY :
Johnson, Angela. 2003. The first part last. New York: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers. ISBN 0689849222.

PLOT SUMMARY:
When Bobby finds out he is going to be a father on his sixteenth birthday, his life and attitude about life changes forever. He accepts his new responsibility with maturity and plays a supportive role in his girlfriend Nia’s pregnancy. Bobby is an average, young African American teen struggling to come to terms with his new life, the commitment of being a single teenage father and the needs of his baby daughter.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS:
Another realistic fiction book about teen age pregnancy told from the teen father’s perspective. This short novel alternates between past and present perspectives demonstrating cause and effect. An urban tale set in modern day New York, this story centers on the self discovery of an African-American teen becoming a “man” and father for his newborn baby girl, Feather. As he walks away from the social worker and the notion of adoption, Bobby thinks to himself “I know I’m being a man, not just some kid who’s upset and wants it his way. I’m being a man.” Teens will easily relate to the notion of teen pregnancy and its affect on family and friends.

The mood of the story is full of sorrow and yet hopeful. The positive perspective of the teens support group aids in avoiding stereotyping. Characters are revealed though dialogue, the narration and thoughts of the main character. Half-listening to his literature teacher, Bobby thought “…he’s going to tell me how he’ll give me a break on my grades or something. …But that ain’t happening. He just hopes I’m getting help.” His mother allows him to experience parenthood without interference “She only changed, fed or rocked Feather to sleep when I didn’t need her help.” Stereotyping is again avoided when his girlfriend’s parents don’t interfere in his decision to raise his baby daughter alone and even support his decision to care for their granddaughter, “We’ll support you keeping the baby, Bobby,” was all they said in the end. But when they looked at the baby through the nursery glass, it was like they were saying goodbye.”

Figurative language is also used to tell the story from a teen perspective, from his mention of when he told his parents (Fred and Mary sat real still...I thought what I just told them about Nia being pregnant had turned both of them to stone.) to the the description of his girlfriends house (Stark white and so neat and clean you could probably make soup in the toilet.) His girlfriend’s revelation that she does not want to be a mother brings another perspective of realism into the story “I don’t want to be anybody’s mother. I’m not done with being a kid myself. I’m way too young and so are you.” Teen realism is again seen when Bobby has a “tagging” incident that details his need to let his frustrations out through the illegal artistic means of spray painting buildings.

Though not original or fresh, the plot, with no inclination of the climax towards the end, ends in an unpredictable manner that adds additional realism to this award winning novel. Even Bobby’s epiphany of “… 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.” (the only mention of a moral to the story) soon fades as the plot progresses.

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
Starred Review from SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “At 16, Bobby struggles to be a father to his newborn daughter while keeping up with school, maintaining his boyhood friendships, and trying to live up to his parents' expectations. Told in alternating passages of "Now" and "Then," the back-story that has brought Bobby to this point falls steadily but deliberately into place, with the revelation of why Bobby is a single father arriving only near the very end.”

Starred Review from PUBLISHERS WEEKLY: “In this companion novel, Johnson's fans learn just how Bobby, the single father for whom Marley baby-sits in Heaven, landed in that small town in Ohio. Beginning his story when his daughter, Feather, is just 11 days old, 16-year-old Bobby tells his story in chapters that alternate between the present and the bittersweet past that has brought him to the point of single parenthood."

Review from VOICE OF YOUTH ADVOCATES: "Told through Bobby's eyes in spare, eloquent prose, this affecting prequel to Heaven (Simon & Schuster, 1998/VOYA February 1999) is no stereotypical teenage pregnancy story but the heartfelt tale of one young man's decision to keep his child, no matter the consequences. … This compelling tale of a teenage father provides a stellar addition to young adult fiction."

Teen Review from VOICE OF YOUTH ADVOCATES: "I'm really glad that Johnson wrote this prequel to Heaven. Bobby was a character that everyone wanted to know more about. 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." -Teens' Top Ten nominator, age 13.

AWARDS
Coretta Scott King Award 2004
Michael L. Printz Award 2004

Connections
Other books by Angela Johnson on coping with loss, death and adoption:
Johnson, Angela. 1994. Toning the Sweep. ISBN 0590481428.
Johnson, Angela. 1998. Heaven. ISBN 0689822294.
Johnson, Angela. 2002. Looking for Red. ISBN 0689832532.

Activities:

*Read during Black History Month and as the introduction to Coretta Scott King Award discussions.
*Suggest this as a book club selection for upper grades.
*Share audio clips with classes during book talking sessions.
*Provide students with opportunities to create poetry or journal responses.