The First Part Last
Encyclopedia
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. 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 into a horrid complication, called eclampsia, which means she basically is brain dead and will be kept in a coma for the rest of her young life.
In the end, Bobby moves to Heaven, Ohio.
Other characters in the book include:
K-Boy - Bobby's friend;
J.L. - Bobby's friend;
Fred - Bobby's father;
Mary - Bobby's mother;
Paul - Bobby's brother, who has two children, Nick and Nora;
Mr. Wilkins - Nia's father;
Mrs. Wilkins - Nia's mother;
Coco Fernandez - Bobby's neighbor
Angela Johnson (writer)
Angela Johnson is an American children's book and poetry author with over 40 books to her credit since beginning her writing career in 1989. Her books for young children are simple yet poetic stories about African American families, friendships, and common childhood experiences such as moving...
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. 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 into a horrid complication, called eclampsia, which means she basically is brain dead and will be kept in a coma for the rest of her young life.
In the end, Bobby moves to Heaven, Ohio.
Other characters in the book include:
K-Boy - Bobby's friend;
J.L. - Bobby's friend;
Fred - Bobby's father;
Mary - Bobby's mother;
Paul - Bobby's brother, who has two children, Nick and Nora;
Mr. Wilkins - Nia's father;
Mrs. Wilkins - Nia's mother;
Coco Fernandez - Bobby's neighbor