Bibliographic Data
Johnson,
Angela. 2003. The First Part Last.
New York: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers. ISBN: 9780689849220
Brief Plot Summary
New York
teen, Bobby struggles to take care of his infant daughter while trying to
complete high school.
Critical Analysis
Manning
and Baruth note that many African American children are brought up in family
structures different from children in other cultures (2009). Bobby’s parents
are divorced. He lives with mother and occasionally visits his father or
appeals to him for help.
His own
relationship with Nia is complicated. They are separated while he cares for his
daughter Feather on his own. When Mr. Phillips confronts Bobby about sleeping
in class Bobby mocks and muses over the lifestyle he assumes Mr. Phillips has,
“He
probably drives a jeep, and his girlfriend and him have been engaged for two
years. They probably laugh at the same jokes and plan to have two kids and go
to Disneyland in the summer” (Johnson, 2011, p.44).
The
reader can tell that he feels a sense of otherness and perhaps shame being in
the type of relationship he is in with Nia.
Many cultural
markers sprinkle the storyline (names, hairstyles, language). Bobby’s friends
are K-Boy and J.L. One of the sitters for Feather, Jackie tosses her beaded
braids and they click when she moves (Johnson, 2011, .p45).
Language
is another cultural marker in this book, “Nia’s parents always treated me good”
(Johnson, 2003, p.18). That last quote showed how in conversation Bobby
modified his verb with an adjective. He also casual cussed and said “hangin’”
instead of hanging. Often his streams of consciousness are run on sentences.
The
protagonist defies numerous stereotypes. Bobby’s family is well-traveled, many
pictures in exotic locales despite being lower income. Most importantly he is
strongly against giving up on being a single father or asking for help. He
takes accountability for the circumstances he brought on himself although he
does have some hiccups. He does get thrown in jail while ditching school to
spray paint public property, an activity he has partaken in before.
Overall I
think this book has a positive message about an unfortunate situation. It
stresses strong character by Bobby doing what is right. It defies stereotypes
and is a deep, emotional read.
Awards
Coretta Scott King Book Award, 2004
Winner Author United States
Georgia Peach Teen Readers' Choice
Award, 2004-2005 Winner Georgia
Green Mountain Book Award, 2006 Winner
Grades 9-12 Vermont
Heartland Award for Excellence in Young
Adult Literature, 2005 Finalist United States
Michael L. Printz Award, 2004 Winner
United States
Society of School Librarians International Book
Awards, 2003 Honor Book Language Arts Grades 7-12 Novels United States
Volunteer
State Book Award, 2006 4th Place Grades 7-12 Tennessee
Best Books
Booklist Book Review Stars, Sep. 1,
2003 American Library Association
Booklist Editors' Choice: Books for
Youth, 2003 American Library Association
Booklist Top 10 Black History Titles
for Youth, 2004 American Library Association
Capitol Choices, 2004 The Capitol
Choices Committee
Children's Literature Choice List, 2004
Children's Literature
Choices, 2004 Cooperative Children's
Book Center
Middle and Junior High School Library
Catalog, Ninth Edition, 2005 H.W. Wilson
Middle and Junior High School Library
Catalog, Supplement to the Eighth Edition, 2004 H.W. Wilson
Notable Social Studies Trade Books for
Young People, 2004 National Council for the Social Studies
Publishers Weekly Book Review Stars,
June 16, 2003 Cahners
Recommended Teen Books, 2003 Bank
Street College of Education
School Library Journal Book Review
Stars, June 2003 Cahners
Senior High Core Collection,
Seventeenth Edition, 2007 The H. W. Wilson Co.
Senior High School Library Catalog,
Sixteenth Edition, 2004 Supplement, 2004 H.W. Wilson
YALSA Best Books for Young Adults, 2004
American Library Association
YALSA Quick Picks for Reluctant Young
Adult Readers, 2004 American Library Association
YALSA Teens' Top Ten, 2003 American
Library Association ; Nominee
YALSA Teens' Top Ten, 2003 American
Library Association ; Winner
Young Adults'
Choices , 2005 International Reading Association
Review Excerpt(s)
“There's
no romanticizing. The exhaustion is real… But from the first page, readers feel the physical
reality of Bobby's new world.” - Hazel Rochman (Booklist, Sep. 1, 2003 (Vol. 100,
No. 1))
“Johnson
manages to convey a story that is always complex, never preachy. The somewhat
pat ending doesn't diminish the impact of this short, involving story.” -
Kirkus (Kirkus Reviews, June 1, 2003
(Vol. 71, No. 11))
“Each
nuanced chapter feels like a poem in its economy and imagery; yet the
characters—Bobby and the mother of his child, Nia, particularly, but also their
parents and friends, and even newborn Feather—emerge fully formed.” - Publishers Weekly (Publishers Weekly)
Connections
Teaching
Guide for The First Part Last:
The
teaching guide lists several discussion question and activities. One of my
favorites is one in which the students write a letter to Nia describing what
Feather and Bobby are going through. This activitiy brings in creative writing
skills and recall.
Angela
Johnson audio on her African-American protagonists:
http://www.teachingbooks.net/slideshows/johnson/Protagonists.html
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