THE FIRST PART LAST

Johnson, Angela. The First Part Last. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster, 2003.

ISBN: 0689849222; $15.95 US; Hardcover

(Image credit: http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/)

AWARDS/HONORS/REVIEWS

Coretta Scott King Award, 2004

Printz Award, 2004

ALA Best Books for Young Adults

ANNOTATION:

Bobby must learn to grow up the hard way when he discovers he is not only going to be a father, but also raise his daughter himself.

BOOKTALK:

Bobby has a pretty mature outlook on life for only being a teenager. He already can see that "if the world were really right, humans would live life backward and do the first part last." That way they would alreadyknow the lessons to be learned; they could go back and be smart about everything before making decisions.

How did Bobby get so smart? Well, Bobby learned to grow up quickly when his girlfriend, Nia, announced unexpectedly she was pregnant. There was adoption to think about, Nia's parents to calm down, and the future to determine in nine quick months.

In one pivotal moment Bobby's world is turned upside down. And the only thing constant is the love Bobby feels when he looks into his daughter's eyes. Feather got her name because it was like someone brushed the air with a feather when she was put in Bobby's arms. When the air is filled with love it becomes so hard to remember the bad times; it becomes hard to remember that you are struggling to find babysitters or stay awake in class.

When Bobby looks into Feather's eyes he doesn't want to forget how he got to this place. Sure, it was a mistake; a painful mistake. But it's time to teach Feather about the good things in life. Bobby wants to tell Feather about the love that brought her into this world. Bobby doesn't know what will happen tomorrow, and he knows it is not going to be easy. Yet, right now feels like heaven.

For a story about love and its often painful consequences, enter Bobby's world. You will feel the air being brushed by a feather too when you turn these pages.