Module 5: The First Last Part

Summary: Bobby is a teenage single parent trapped between the past and the future. When his girlfriend Nia becomes pregnant, they debate whether to put the baby up for adoption or keep it. Then tragedy strikes and Nia falls into a coma. Bobby decides that he can't let their baby, Feather, go and plans on raising her himself.

Citation:

Johnson, A. (2003). The first part last. New York: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers.

Impressions: I think this is one of the few books that I read in one sitting. It was raw and compelling but also sweet and gentle. Bobby's love for Feather and Nia is so beautiful and even though he knows this won't be an easy job, he want to be a good parent to Feather. There are so few stories told from the point of view of a teenage single father and I found this one to be very honest. I liked the way the story moved between the past and the present so you slowly discovered how Bobby became a single father.

Reviews:

Gr 7 Up-- Angela Johnson's Printz Award-winning novel (S & S, 2003) is perfectly suited to the audiobook medium, and Khalipa Oldjohn narrates this first person tale with poignant authenticity of tone and pacing. At 16, Bobby struggles to be a father to his newborn daughter while keeping up with school, maintaining his boyhood friendships, and trying to live up to his parents' expectations. 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. In spite of its brevity, the story is complex and satisfying. Bobby is both boy and man, responsible and overwhelmed, near panic and able to plan an intelligent and loving future for Feather, the daughter he adores and nurtures. In audio format, this story can readily be shared in just a class period or two and will grab listeners immediately, making it an ideal subject for class discussion. It will also be instantly popular for leisure reading outside of school.


Goldsmith, F., & Mandell, P. L. (2005). The First Part Last. In School Library Journal (Vol. 51, p. 77). Media Source. Retrieved February 17, 2016, from Academic Search Complete.

Library Use: Teenage pregnancy is a touchy topic and I think this book is a good way to create a discussion about the issue especially about the obligations of teenage fathers.