Author:
Johnson, Angela
Title:
The First Part Last
Publisher & Date:
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2003
Recommended Age Range:
15 and up
Plot Summary:
On his sixteenth birthday, Bobby’s girlfriend Nia presents him with a surprise that will change his life forever. Nia is pregnant with their child. Suddenly, Bobby must grow up fast. He and Nia initially decide to give the baby up for adoption, but during delivery, Nia suffers from eclampsia, a potentially fatal disease that sometimes strikes pregnant women under 20 years old. Nia ends up in a “persistent vegetative state” and Bobby decides to keep the baby, who he names Feather. Now, Bobby must learn to be a father, while struggling to learn how to be a man.
Reader Appeal:
This sensitive portrayal of teenage pregnancy and a young man’s coming of age would appeal to boys, fans of realistic fiction, first-time parents, or those struggling with teen pregnancy themselves. This book would not appeal to those seeking gritty suspense, mystery, urban crime, or fantasy.
Artistic Merit: This novel was a refreshing change from the many books and media that tend to portray urban teens as gangsters and criminals. This sensitive and moving novel was not only written in a boy’s perspective, which is rare enough, it was written with the natural dialogue of a teenager and addresses the fragility and complexity of boys’ emotional states, especially in relation to family, fatherhood, and friends. The pacing in this book is slow and gentle, like the main character’s interactions with his baby daughter, Feather. The story flips back and forth with chapters alternately titled “then” and “now,” to show the myriad of ways that Nia’s pregnancy and Feather’s birth have impacted Bobby’s life. This quiet, unassuming book is a meditative look at the silent strength of a young man who decides that he is ready to assume responsibility for his child. It is a beautifully written book that reassures readers that while mistakes cannot be undone, they can still be dealt with responsibly and with love.
