The First Part Last

The First Part Last
by Angela Johnson
Published by Simon Pulse (2005)
132 pages; ages 16+

Synopsis: When Bobby’s girlfriend, Nia, tells Bobby she’s pregnant, Bobby is forced to make difficult decisions and to become an adult. Intermingled with the past scenario is the present, after the baby, Feather, is born. Bobby becomes a single father at sixteen, and struggles to go to school and take care of the baby with very little support from family and friends. Bobby doesn’t know what would be best for Feather—to be adopted out or to be raised by Bobby.

Genre: New Realism/Problem; Romance

Warning: frequent language, moderately intense family issues, mature themes

Recommendations: Does My Head Look Big In This? by Randa Abdel-Fattah; Slumming by Kristen D. Randle; The Moves Make the Man by Bruce Brooks