Book review-Michael Printz Young Adult Award winner-
1.Bibliography- Johnson, Angela. The First Part Last. New York: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2003. ISBN 0689849222
2. Plot Summary-Using the topic of teenage pregnancy, this award-winning novel shares the fears and frustrations from a male perspective. Bobby, the main character, learns that he is about to become a father at the age of sixteen. Throughout the story, Bobby deals with the struggles that each new parent faces, such as the lack of sleep and increased responsibility. When faced with the topic of giving his daughter up for adoption, Bobby determines to be a good father even as Nia, his girlfriend, suffers permanent brain damage during the delivery of their baby and will never be able to help care for her.
3. Critical Analysis-The character of Bobby shows such raw emotion as the reader sees him adapt to his new parental role. The fears and frustrations felt by any new parent are evident as Bobby struggles to take care of his daughter, Feather. The journey that Bobby goes through is not only demanding physically but emotionally, as he knows that Nia will never know their daughter and be able to hold her. The author takes an extremely touchy, yet relevant topic in today’s society and tells the story from the teenage father’s point of view. I believe this is a story that many older, intermediate readers would consider to be a good read. I am not sure that elementary-age children should read it without parental guidance. Unfortunately, the nature of the topic shows a rapid ascent into adulthood for the character of Bobby and his responsibilities of caring for a newborn baby, while trying to do well in school. This story represents a real problem that is very relevant in our society, without stereotyping the typical teenage dad. Bobby represents the opposite of the what is the norm of teenage fathers.
4. Awards won and review excerpts-
Michael L. Printz Award for Excellence in Young Adult Literature-2004
Coretta Scott King Award -2004
School Library Journal( starred review)-“Brief, poetic, and absolutely riveting.”
Publishers Weekly( starred review)-“Readers will only clamor for more.”
U.S. News and World Report-“Johnson has carved a niche writing realistically about young people's issues.”
5. Connections-
Other books by Angela Johnson:
Johnson, Angela. Looking for Red. ISBN-10: 0689863888
Johnson, Angela. Heaven. ISBN-10: 144240342X
Johnson, Angela. Sweet Hereafter (The Heaven Trilogy). ISBN-10: 0689873859
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