Bibliography
Johnson, Angela. 2003. The first part last.
Plot Summary
The First Part Last is an easy to read story about a teen that is raising his baby. As the story progresses, much is revealed about how Bobby who ends up being a single dad who is still in high school and about his relationship with the baby’s mother, Nia. Although Bobby has understanding parents and family, he loses control one day and forgets about his daughter, Feather, while she’s in someone else’s care. He has to face the reality of the loss of his girlfriend and much of his own freedom.
Critical Analysis
This story is told from Bobby’s narration. The story is an interesting flip on the typical female child raising a child story. The dialog is very real and contemporary. Bobby’s strengths are weaknesses are showcased throughout the book. His love and devotion for his daughter is very strong throughout the story, but there is also a time when he loses track of time and kind of has a little meltdown and he seems very irresponsible. The alternating chapters title “Now” and “Then”, instead of having traditional numbered chapters, really make this story move and make it more interesting and a bit more innovative than traditionally numbered chapter books. The story climaxes as the reader discovers why Bobby keeps the baby and what happened to Feather’s mom. The story takes place in
The theme of The First Part Last is one of responsibility. Teenage sex does come with consequences, at times, and this story portrays this very well. Not only does Bobby end up being a father at the age of sixteen, but Feather’s mother ends up in a coma from complications from her labor. These teens also had to deal with deciding whether or not to give the child up for adoption – after much pressure from the parents to do so. The style of this story is very smooth and natural. Most readers could imagine their neighbor or family member being in Bobby’s shoes. The author creates of mood of mystery about Nia’s destiny while switching between the “Now” and “Then” through the book. There’s also a mood of triumph or pride as Bobby handles so much responsibility well as he takes care of his child, goes to school, and still has friends in his neighborhood to hang out with.
This is definitely a book for mature teens. There is some profane language used and the whole teen sex issue plays out in a very open and honest way. Because of the realism of this story and the issues it deals with, it is a very valuable book for today’s society.
Review Excerpts
Kirkus Reviews – “By narrating from a realistic first-person voice, Johnson manages to convey a story that is always complex, never preachy. The somewhat pat ending doesn't diminish the impact of this short, involving story. It's the tale of one young man and his choices, which many young readers will appreciate and enjoy.”
Publishers Weekly – “But as the past and present threads join in the final chapter, readers will only clamor for more about this memorable father-daughter duo—and an author who so skillfully relates the hope in the midst of pain.”
School Library Journal – “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.”
Connections
Lead a discussion with teens about choices and consequences and how they saw those take place in this story.
Have students write a prediction for Bobby’s life after he moves to
Have an assignment where students summarize The First Part Last and share that with their parents. After they do that, have the students interview the parents on a set list of questions that they can choose from – questions like, “Was this type of story typical from your childhood?” or “What kinds of things did you have to be responsible for prematurely when you were a teen?”
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