The First Part
Last
By Angela
Johnson
cover image retrieved on
9/27/12 from
Bibliography
Johnson, Angela. The First Part Last. New York: Simon Pulse,
2005. ISBN 9780689849237.
Summary
Bobby’s sixteenth ends with a dramatic turn of events that
changes his life forever, as his girlfriend Nia tells him she is pregnant. In a
story told through flashbacks and current clips of action, Bobby and Nia
struggle to determine the right thing to do in their situation. The reader
knows through the current scenes that ultimately Bobby parents the baby girl,
whom he names Feather, alone. Not until the end of the pregnancy, in a
flashback near the end of the book, does the reader find out the circumstances
that lead to Bobby’s single parenthood. Though this book deals with heavy
subject matter, it is presented in a compelling story that hooks the reader and
grips the heart with the reality of unplanned pregnancy that many teens face.
Critical Analysis
The First Part Last
is an absorbing book that is both the story of an African American teenager and
the story of any teenager. Many subtle cultural references clue the reader that
the main characters are African American, but honestly, without the cover
photograph of an African American teenage boy holding a baby, the reader could
picture this story happening in almost any culture, any socioeconomic group,
any Western country. Cultural references that do exist in the book could be
seen as stereotypical. Bobby’s family celebrates good times with lots of food;
the family loves jazz and the Motown sound; Bobby’s parents are divorced and
work in jobs that would typically be held by African Americans found in large
cities like New York. Bobby and his friends like to chill out listening to
music, eating pizza, spray-painting fences or walls. These things could be
cause to identify Bobby as African American, but honestly they could be
representative of many teenagers, especially in a large city.
The most obvious cultural marker that identifies the family
as African American is Bobby’s description of baby Feather’s smooth,
caramel-colored skin and curly hair. While even the baby’s name could
stereotypically be considered a cultural name, in today’s society many parents
name their children uncommon names.
Bobby’s friends have nicknames that could be stereotypical of Black
names, but once again many young people across cultures go by nicknames.
Ms. Johnson writes a touching tale of tragedy and
determination. This piece of realistic fiction tugs at the heart, but not in a
sappy way. The reader will cheer for Bobby as he does his best to man-up and
take responsibility for his daughter. This is well worth the read. I will
encourage teachers at my school to include it on their reading lists. Every
teen should have the opportunity to experience teen pregnancy through the eyes
and heart of a character so easy to identify with.
Reviews
Claire Rosser (KLIATT Review, January 2005 (Vol. 39, No. 1))
Angela Johnson tells us this story through the narrative of
the father, Bobby, in a series of vignettes “then” and “now.” Johnson has a way
of getting to her readers’ emotions with few words, creating characters we
really care about. Her young people are thoughtful, conscientious, and
loving--certainly with failings, but trying to do better. Exceptional book,
recommended for junior and senior high school students.
Booklist
Bobby, the teenage artist and single-parent dad in Johnson's
Coretta Scott King Award winner, Heaven (1998), tells his story here. At 16,
he's scared to be raising his baby, Feather, but he's totally devoted to caring
for her, even as she keeps him up all night, and he knows that his college
plans are on hold. In short chapters alternating between "now" and
"then," he talks about the baby that now fills his life, and he
remembers the pregnancy of his beloved girlfriend, Nia. Johnson makes poetry with the simplest
words in short, spare sentences that teens will read again and again. The great
cover photo shows the strong African American teen holding his tiny baby in his
arms.
Connections
Reading & Writing:
·
Students will read another of Johnson’s novels, Heaven, which has as supporting
characters Bobby and Feather from The
First Part Last. Compare the uncertainty and tragedy in the two books.
Students will select one of the characters from either book and prepare a
storyboard of their life, including at least two events in the future of the
character the student believes could occur.
·
Students will read Johnson’s picture book When I am Old with You. Discuss the bonds
that unite families. Students will write original poetry celebrating special
bonds they have with family members. Illustrate and share with the class, or
create a class portfolio of family bond poetry.
Social Sciences:
·
Students will examine facts about teen
pregnancy, using information found at http://www.teenhelp.com/teen-pregnancy/teen-pregnancy-statistics.html Create an informative brochure that
explains the facts of teen pregnancy and supplies resources in your community
that assist teens experiencing unplanned pregnancy.
Art:
·
Angela Johnson paints vivid pictures with words
of New York, the city Bobby loves, in this novel. Discuss some of the images
she describes, and students’ background knowledge of cityscapes in general.
Students will examine cityscapes at sites such as http://www.art.com/gallery/id--b12135/cityscapes-posters.htm and http://www.citiscapes-art.com/cities.htm
. Students will create an original cityscape scene, based on a description from
the book or inspiration from another source. Students will observe one
another’s work and write reflective responses to at least two of their
classmates about the imagery in the original cityscape.
Awards
Winner of the 2004 Michael L. Printz Award for Excellence in
Literature for Young Adults
Winner of the 2004 Coretta Scott King Award for Best
African-American Children's Writer
Other Books by Angela
Johnson
Collections:
Anthologies:
Novels:
Picture Books:
No comments:
Post a Comment