The First Part Last
The First Part Last
Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2003
Book Brief
144
Novel • Fiction
New York City • Contemporary
2003
YA
14-18 years
790L
Super Short Summary
The First Part Last by Angela Johnson is a young-adult novel set in contemporary New York, where 16-year-old Bobby faces the challenges of becoming a single father after his girlfriend Nia falls into a coma due to complications from childbirth. As Bobby alternates between recounting past events leading to his daughter's birth and addressing present-day struggles, he ultimately decides to care for his daughter, Feather, and move to Ohio for support from his brother. The sensitive topic of teenage pregnancy is central to the story.
Emotional
Challenging
Melancholic
Contemplative
Reviews & Readership
16,165 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Reviews for Angela Johnson's The First Part Last highlight its emotional depth and authentic depiction of teenage parenthood, specifically from a young father's perspective. Praised for its poetic prose and non-linear narrative, the novel effectively captures the protagonist's struggles and growth. Criticisms mainly focus on the book's brevity and desire for more character development.
Who Should Read The First Part Last?
Readers who enjoy emotionally charged, thought-provoking novels about teenage life, parenting, and resilience will appreciate The First Part Last by Angela Johnson. Comparable to The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas and Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson, it captivates with its raw, realistic portrayal of a young father's struggles.
16,165 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
144
Novel • Fiction
New York City • Contemporary
2003
YA
14-18 years
790L
We’re just getting started
Add this title to our list of requested Study Guides!