The First Part Last: Difference between revisions
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| congress = PZ7.J629 Fi 2003 |
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Revision as of 14:19, 9 May 2014
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| Author | Angela Johnson |
|---|---|
| Publication place | United States |
| Pages | 10000 |
| ISBN | 0-689-84922-2 |
| OCLC | 50810558 |
| LC Class | PZ7.J629 Fi 2003 |
The First Part Last is a young adult novel by Angela Johnson that deals with the subject of teen pregnancy. Johnson writes the story in first person narration from the perspective of Bobby, the 16-year-old father, setting it apart from most books on the subject. The book is divided into four parts and its chapters alternate between "then" and "now."
Bobby and Nia, the child's mother, are urban upper-middle-class African-American teenagers in New York. Although the parents initially intended to give their daughter Feather up for adoption, Bobby raises the little girl on his own and realizes how hard it truly is to be a parent. Bobby becomes tired all the time, and can't always get to school on time. Bobby's mother won't do any of the work, because she feels that doing so will only make Bobby more dependent upon them. Nia, while giving birth to Feather, gets eclampsia, a life threatening complication, which leaves her in a permanent coma. In the end, Bobby moves to Heaven, Ohio.
Characters
- Bobby -
- K-Boy - Bobby's friend
- J.L. - Bobby's friend
- Fred - Bobby's father
- Mary - Bobby's mother
- Paul - Bobby's brother
- Mr. Wilkins - Nia's father
- Mrs. Wilkins - Nia's mother
- Coco Fernandez - Bobby's neighbor
- Nia - Bobby's girl-friend and the mother of Bobby's daughter
- Nick - Paul's kid
- Nora - Paul's kid
- Feather - Bobby's baby
Major Themes
Kristi Jemtegaard said that Bobby is “venturing alone into fatherhood like someone exploring an alien planet.”[1] The author also said the novel deals with “disappointed parents and fierce love for his baby.
Reception
The First Part Last received mostly positive reviews. The Nell Beram said that “Johnson has a unique storytelling strategy."[2] Another author from Publishers Weekly discussed how Bobby's descriptions of Nia conveys to people what a “loving and trustworthy father he promises to be.”[3] However not all reviews from Publishers Weekly were positive; the author also said, “the only misstep is a chapter from Nia’s point of view which takes readers out of Bobby’s capable hands.”
Awards and nominations
- Coretta Scott King Award, 2004[4]
- Michael L. Printz Award, 2004
References
- ^ Jemtegaard, kristi (March–April 2004). "Angela Johnson The First Part Last". Just No Okay Just No. Retrieved 3 March 2012.
{{cite journal}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - ^ Beram, Nell (July–August 2003). "Angela Johnson The First Part Last" (high school). Retrieved 13 March 2012.
{{cite journal}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help); Cite journal requires|journal=(help) - ^ " The First Part Last". Publishers Weekly (high school). June 16, 2003. Retrieved 15 March 2012.
{{cite journal}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - ^ Coretta Scott King Book Award Complete List of Recipients—by Year, American Library Association, retrieved 2009-01-17
External links
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