1.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Johnson, Angela. 2003. The First Part Last. New York: Simon and Schuster Books for Young People. ISBN: 9780689849220.
2. PLOT SUMMARY
Bobby is a 16-year-old father who is deeply in love with his newborn daughter, Feather. Through a series of chapters that go back and forth from “now” and “then,” his story of deciding to raise her primarily on his own and the hardships of doing so is told. Although Bobby's parents and friends are supportive, this story provides a frank look at what it takes for a teen to raise a kid, while trying to finish up school and maintain some friendships as well.
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Angela Johnson uses time in her novel in a fascinating way by jumping back and forth between the past and present. This lends a bit of mystery to Bobby's tale and also adds depth to his decision to raise his child. As the story slowly becomes clear as to how he ended up in this place, we are drawn to his character and love for his friends, girlfriend, family, and child. The only time the point of view shifts is in the one chapter that is told by Bobby's girlfriend, Nia It seems a bit jarring to the flow of the novel to hear a different voice in the midst of Bobby's, but that was most likely the goal of Johnson as this comes at the turning point in the novel.
Johnson, Angela. 2003. The First Part Last. New York: Simon and Schuster Books for Young People. ISBN: 9780689849220.
2. PLOT SUMMARY
Bobby is a 16-year-old father who is deeply in love with his newborn daughter, Feather. Through a series of chapters that go back and forth from “now” and “then,” his story of deciding to raise her primarily on his own and the hardships of doing so is told. Although Bobby's parents and friends are supportive, this story provides a frank look at what it takes for a teen to raise a kid, while trying to finish up school and maintain some friendships as well.
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Angela Johnson uses time in her novel in a fascinating way by jumping back and forth between the past and present. This lends a bit of mystery to Bobby's tale and also adds depth to his decision to raise his child. As the story slowly becomes clear as to how he ended up in this place, we are drawn to his character and love for his friends, girlfriend, family, and child. The only time the point of view shifts is in the one chapter that is told by Bobby's girlfriend, Nia It seems a bit jarring to the flow of the novel to hear a different voice in the midst of Bobby's, but that was most likely the goal of Johnson as this comes at the turning point in the novel.
The
characters in Johnson's book are well-fleshed out and wonderfully
dynamic. The people of this short novel are one of its strengths.
Readers will come to like these characters and want to spend more time
with them. The characters bring out emotions in the reader, both positive and
negative, which is good in such an emotionally charged subject as
teenage pregnancy/parenthood.
Some cultural markers are present in this book, but the force of the
novel is about telling the story of a teen father, rather than the
culture he comes from. The varied descriptions of skin colors (e.g.
“mahogany”) is one marker that is apparent. There is also the
description of Bobby's apartment as being filled with Jacob Lawrence
prints and the sounds of jazz, Motown, and reggae. However, Johnson,
of course, doesn't hit a one note cultural marker but shows diversity
in the culture through the other apartment described, Nia's, as stark
white, post-modern, with Japanese features. Themes of strong
families sticking together are another marker.
One
of the most mesmerizing parts of this novel is Angela Johnson's
incredibly poetic prose. The beauty of language has long been a part
of African American literature, and this is no exception. The rhythm
and cadence of the words, the metaphors and imagery, and the very
fact that something so brief could bring out so much emotion shows Johnson's poetic side.
This
novel has universal appeal because of it's themes of love and
fidelity. The topic of teen pregnancy also hits a broad audience. Angela Johnson artfully draws the reader in and leaves us
wanting to know more about what happened to Bobby and Feather.
4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
- Coretta Scott King Award 2004
- Michael L. Printz Award 2004
- Booklist Starred: “Johnson makes poetry with the simplest words in short, spare sentences that teens will read again and again.”
- Horn Book Starred: “What resonate in this prequel to the Coretta Scott King Award-winning Heaven are the sacrifices Bobby makes for Feather's sake.”
- Publisher's Weekly Starred: “The author skillfully relates the hope in the midst of pain.”
- School Library Journal: “Brief, poetic, and absolutely riveting, this gem of a novel tells the story of a young father struggling to raise an infant.”
5. CONNECTIONS
- This is the middle book in the Heaven trilogy. The first book is Heaven and the last book is Sweet, Hereafter. After reading all three, have students look at how they are all tied together, as it is not like the “series” books they have become accustomed to.
- Do an author study on Angela Johnson. Have students look at her picture books and poetry as well as her novels. An interview with Johnson can be found on the Ohio Channel.
- Other teen books that won Coretta Scott King and Michael L. Printz:
Myers, Walter Dean. Monster. ISBN: 9780060280772. Coretta Scott King Honor 2000 and Printz Award 2000.
Nelson,
Marilyn.
A
Wreath for Emmett Till.
ISBN: 0618397523.
Coretta
Scott
King
Honor 2006 and Printz
Honor
2006.
No comments:
Post a Comment