The First Part Last

Johnson, Angela. 2003. The first part last. New York: Simon & Schuster. ISBN 9781442403437

Plot Summary

Bobby, a 16-year-old African American teen in New York, is trying to keep up with his friends and schoolwork while raising his infant daughter, Feather. Bobby is solely responsible for this tiny creature that rules his life. As the story switches back and forth from the Now of sleepless nights and dirty diapers, and the Then of Bobby and his girlfriend Nia trying to decide what to do about an unplanned pregnancy, the tragic circumstances that led to Bobby being a single parent are slowly revealed.

Critical Analysis (Including Cultural Markers)

The First Part Last is a powerful story about a young man trying his best to care for his daughter. The exhaustion and wonder of new parenthood are vividly described.  The Now and Then structure of the story builds tension as the reader wonders why Bobby is doing this by himself, what happened to the baby’s mom? The heartbreaking circumstances of Nia’s tragedy and Bobby’s devastating loss are slowly revealed with raw emotion. Bobby is not without flaws, he makes mistakes, and is the first to admit that he should have used a condom. Bobby’s love for his daughter shines throughout the story and lends his character the strength to do what needs to be done.

Bobby’s relationships with his family and friends are an important part of the story and are crucial to his ability to take responsibility for his daughter. Bobby’s mother takes a tough love approach that includes rules that Bobby must follow:

If she hollers, she is mine.

If she needs to be changed, she is always mine.

In the dictionary next to “sitter,” there is not a picture of Grandma.

It’s time to grow up.

Too late, you’re out of time. Be a grown-up.

Despite this hands off approach, it is obvious that she loves Bobby and Feather deeply and is trying to give him the strength to handle single fatherhood. Bobby’s father, on the other hand, provides unconditional love and support. Bobby’s older brother, Paul, offers understanding of both the difficulties and the joys of being a father.

Bobby’s relationship with Nia is loving, sensual, and seems likely to last through the trials of making the decision to give their daughter up for adoption, until the unthinkable happens. There is a disconnect between Bobby and Nia’s parents, however. Despite their verbal assurance of support when Bobby decides to keep Feather, they apparently cannot bring themselves to be a part of Feather’s life.

Review Excerpts

Booklist: “…from the first page, readers feel the physical reality of Bobby’s new world: what it’s like to hold Feather on his stomach,smell her skin, touch her clenched fists, feel her shiver, and kiss the top of her curly head. 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.”

Kirkus Reviews: “By narrating from a realistic first-person voice, 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. It's the tale of one young man and his choices, which many young readers will appreciate and enjoy.”

2004 Winner of both the Coretta Scott King Award and the Michael L. Printz Award.

Connections

The First Part Last is part of the Heaven trilogy:

Johnson, Angela. 1998. Heaven. New York: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing. ISBN 9780689822292

Johnson, Angela. 2010. Sweet, Hereafter. New York: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing. ISBN 9780689873850