The First Part Last

The First Part Last
By Angela Johnson
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2003. 131 pgs. Young Adult

When sixteen-year-old Bobby finds out that his girlfriend, Nia, is pregnant, his life changes. Unprepared for parenthood, visits to the doctor, and all else that the pregnancy entails, Bobby and Nia are planning to give their baby up for adoption. However, Bobby ends up keeping their daughter, Feather, and raising her as a single parent while trying to finish high school.

Readers will appreciate the emotional honesty of this book. Highly acclaimed author Angela Johnson shows the difficulty of teenage parenthood as Bobby tries to raise his daughter but also wishes someone would rescue him on the days when he's tired and worn-out and feeling too young to have a baby. It's a book that gives the reader a lot to think about.

AE