EVERY NOW AND THEN
Johnson, Angela. The First Part Last. NY: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2003. Print.
ISBN 0-689-84922-2
Hardcover, $15.95
131 pages
ISBN 0-689-84922-2
Hardcover, $15.95
131 pages
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| Cover Artwork Copyright © Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers 2003 |
When
New York City teenagers Bobby and Nia find out about Nia’s unexpected pregnancy,
a new baby introduces plenty of responsibilities and unexpected challenges for the
two families. Narration of this modern
classic alternates between past and present from the perspective of the young
father.
BOOKTALK (Open End / Snap'N Read / Wrap Back to the Title)
What would you change if you could live your life in reverse? For our narrator, “…if the world were really right, humans would live life backward and do the first part last. They’d be all knowing in the beginning and innocent in the end” (4).
As if life in New York City weren’t
tricky enough, learning how to be a teenage parent is just one more bite out of
The Big Apple. Bobby and Nia face a
tough decision. They’re still
young—hanging out, messing around, living life, and loving it. When they find out Nia’s pregnant, however, their
world totally gets flipped upside down.
A baby means a lot of new responsibilities and unexpected challenges for
these two and their families.
Bobby adores Feather, and tells how life takes on a completely different meaning once she’s born. He loves this baby, and really has a hard time letting her go. But is our narrator willing to turn over his backpack, comic books, and graffiti-tag glory days for a diaper bag, sleepless nights, and newfound fatherhood? Will Nia see what Bobby sees, and stick around to learn what it means to be a mother? What would you decide if you could be one of those all-knowing people who gets to take a peek at The First Part Last?
Bobby adores Feather, and tells how life takes on a completely different meaning once she’s born. He loves this baby, and really has a hard time letting her go. But is our narrator willing to turn over his backpack, comic books, and graffiti-tag glory days for a diaper bag, sleepless nights, and newfound fatherhood? Will Nia see what Bobby sees, and stick around to learn what it means to be a mother? What would you decide if you could be one of those all-knowing people who gets to take a peek at The First Part Last?
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Title Page Artwork Copyright © Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers 2003
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TEEN VOICE
"The First Part Last is written in a way that's really different from most novels I'm used to reading. The book transitions from the past to the present—or, as the author calls it, 'now' and 'then.' At first, this format was tough to follow—but it got easier and less confusing when I read more of the story.
"I think this is a great read for young adults because it shows us the importance of being responsible, caring, and optimistic."
Shivani A., age 19
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RELATED RESOURCES (COOL STUFF)
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