The First Part Last
By Angela Johnson
Winner of the 2004 Printz Award Winner of the 2004 Coretta Scott King Award
Bobby is pretty typical of the teenage boys in his urban neighborhood. He hangs with his friends, goes to school and spends time with his girlfriend, Nia. Bobby's parents have high expectations of him and have raised him with good morals and family values.
All this comes crashing down on his 16th birthday when Nia tells him she's pregnant. Now they must deal with the reality of becoming teen parents while also struggling to determine who knows best what they should do: their parents, the social worker who says they should give up the baby or themselves.
Told in alternating chapters of Now and Then Bobby narrates the story of the journey that led to him being a single father. He does his best to make his parents proud, maintain his friendships and grades and be a good father to he and Nia's baby, Feather.
This book is a great read. Though it can be tricky to get the hang of the alternating chapters, they are clearly marked and flow very well. The subject matter and length would both appeal to struggling high school readers. Bobby's narration would likely help it appeal to both boys and girls. Though the plot deals with teen pregnancy and thus (implied sex), I would say that this book would still be appropriate for readers as young as 7th or 8th grade, depending on the school. In an urban setting, I would definitely carry this in a middle school library. There are no "sex scenes" and Johnson portrays the consequences of premarital sex and teen parenthood in a frank and realistic manner. Bobby finds it difficult, but he must prevail - though his parents are willing to help out, they insist that he be the primary caregiver for his daughter. I really liked that emphasis on responsibility for ones actions.
The only part of the book that left me (and some students I've talked to) a little unsettled was Nia's fate. We know from the beginning that Bobby is raising Feather on his own. What we never find out is exactly what happened to Nia to lead to this end.
For those who want to know more about what happens to Bobby and Feather, there is a companion novel, Heaven, about Marley who finds that her reality is nothing like what she had thought.
Book Talk Hook:
I would start by asking students if they've ever done anything without thinking of what would happen after they did it.
I would tell them:
Everything you do, has a consequence. Good or bad.
Then I would read the following quote:
I've been thinking about. Everything. And when Feather opens her eyes and looks up at me, I already know there's a change. But I figure if the world were really right, humans would live life backward and do the first part last. They'd be all knowing in the beginning and innocent in the end.
What a great hook! I can really tell that you put some thought into it and I am definitely compelled to read this book now. It seems to me that the fact that the story is told in alternating chapters might make it more exciting and interesting for some students, although struggling readers could get frustrated and give up easier because of it as well.
ReplyDeleteThis is on my summer read list. I am curious as to the portrayal of the young black man as the responsible one who raises the child. Usually teen dads are not painted in that light.
ReplyDeleteI would be frustrated, though, of not knowing why Nia isn't raising her child. That would diminish the story a bit no matter how well Bobby does as a single teen father. I think it may be because I am a mother myself, although you did say, Caryn, that other readers felt similarly.
I had no idea that passage is where the title came from! I think that is really cool. I just read "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" for my graphic novel and find that premise of being all knowing at birth and innocent in the end so fascinating. This is definitely on my summer reading list now!
ReplyDeleteI have been wanting to read this book! I'm glad you enjoyed it. I like your book talk hook. Students really need to understand that there are consequences for every action. I think this book would really open student's eyes.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great book. Both it and Heaven are very popular with my grades 7-10. By then, usually,they have read both books. I can't remember a guy checking out the book. The readers, at least at my school, have all been girls.
ReplyDeleteThis book is also on my summer reading list ( I definitly will have plenty of time for reading during the first part of the summer.) I thought it sounded like an interesting book when Dr. Berg introduced it in an earlier class!
ReplyDeleteI am disappointed to hear that guys have not checked this out. Your booktalk hook is great and hopefully that will create an interest from both genders. It sounds like an excellent book, I like Angela Johnson's work, have heard her speak and am anxious to read this title.
ReplyDeleteI read this book and Speak, as my "Choice" book but ended doing my blog on the latter. Johnson does a great job with describing the hardships that come with a baby, which I think teens need to hear.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a really great book. Like Nancy, I am surprised and disappointed to learn that boys don't often read this book. I like the fact that, though it deals with teen pregnancy, the author chose to not make it too graphic--this way, younger students can read it, hopefully before they make similar choices.
ReplyDeleteMy Fairview MS boys read this book!
ReplyDeleteI just spoke to Dr. Berg and I guess I should clarify a bit. You do know why Bobby is raising Feather on his own. It has to do with something that happens to Nia due to pregnancy complications. You just don't get a specific term for it.
ReplyDelete