Reviews

• Bobby describes "Just Frank", a man from his neighborhood who always asks when Bobby is going to be a man, as a joke. When "Just Frank" dies saving a young girl, Bobby begins to respect "Just Frank" and understand what it would take for him to be a responsible young father. Bobby quickly learns that parenting is not an easy job. Angela Johnson gives a clear and accurate description of how totally exhausted new parents get. Bobby is on his own with no one making his experience easier for him. Bobby is by no means perfect, but he grows as his experiences as a new father change and change him every day. There is nothing false in this book. Bobby's life is not an easy one, and at times he wants to run away from the stress his situation is causing him. All in all, Bobby unselfishly makes choices to do what is right for the baby. At times, he does consider just running away from it all, as all new parents do. This book is worthy of its accolades and I can't say enough good things about it. Read this book and suggest it to others. Anyone can enjoy this truthful look at the ability of one small baby to completely change your life, your goals, your perspectives, and your sleep schedule. Wouldn't it be nice if we could live our lives backward and experience the first part last? I think it would.

• I read the opening pages aloud to my 8th grade English Language Arts class the other day and then gave a brief synopsis of the book's plot. I then offered my book as a loaner. Several students took me up on the offer (1 got the book and the rest are on the waiting list.) This story explores the fear and yes, excitement, of pregnancy from the male teen perspective which is refreshing. I felt the book could have used more tension, but the message itself was powerful enough and the story written well enough to sustain interest. If you are a pregnant teen or KNOW a pregnant teen, this is a must-read book. I almost hope my "loaner" copy of the book doesn't come back to me. That would mean one of my students loved it enough to keep it and read it again.

• This review submitted on behalf of my daughter Bo-Ashley. She loved the book ... THE FIRST PART LAST by: Angela Johnson Published By: Simon Pulse in 2003 Summary: During this inspiring novel Bobby, a sixteen year old high school kid living in New York City, experiences a heart breaking event in which his beloved girl Nia falls pregnant and ends up in a coma following the birth of their daughter Feather. In one chapter of the book Bobby tells us he had been covering the alley walls with graffiti. In his art Bobby had created a familiar figure, he saw Nia within this baby but he could not "find" her face as if he was loosing her and could never find her. As Bobby explains his hardships and the events leading up to his loss he finds that Feather is the only thing he has that is left of Nia and can not bear the thought of giving her up to those happy smiling families on the wall, Feather was his and he was hers. And as Nia slowly slipped further and further from her surroundings, Bobby told Feather all about a place called heaven and how he imagined the place to be, the place where he knew Nia had gone. Problem: Bobby and Nia have to decide weather to keep Feather or Give her up for adoption. And if they do give her to one of those smiling families on the wall which one will she go to? Favorites: Bobby is my favorite character in this novel because he shows so much love toward Feather. Bobby also cares for and respects his girl Nia. Although stupid to have had a child at such a young age, Bobby finds himself with mixed emotions which he expresses withstrength and meaning. Quote: " Nia: WHEN I WAS FIVE I wanted to be a firefighter. All my uniforms would have Nia on them, and I would speed through the city in the lightning trucks. I wanted the ladders to rise high into the sky and have me on them. I wanted my hands to pull people from fires and disasters. I wanted my arms to be the arms that carried out babies and kids, safe. I wanted my feet to be the ones that ran up endless flights of stairs and brought everybody back alive. But by the time I was ten I wanted to be a balloonIst, and fly up high everybody, and that's what it feels like I'm doing now. I'm flying up high over everybody; way over the city and even myself. I'm flying over Bobby and my parents, and the park with all my friends in it. I guess this is what it must feel like to be dying. Alkl I want to do is lie here and sleep, even though I see the blood and it shouldn't be where it is. And it was just a minute ago Bobby was singing a shampoo commercial, but he's gone now. But that's okay because all I want to do is fly." This was the random out of place chapter that has so much meaning for this is when Nia slips into the coma. That was the last time she heard her love Bobby. It made me cry. " I can tell you how it feels sitting in the window with Feather pointing out the creeks that rolls past our backyard. I can tell you how it is to feel as brand new as my daughter even though I don't know what comes next in this place called Heaven." And this quote was the last paragraph when Bobby was explaining Heaven to Feather and how he knew that Nia had gone there. This also touched my heart and made me cry. THE FIRST PART LAST was about thee best novel I have ever read. The message it sends across to the reader is so beautiful and strong, at the risk of sounding cheesy this novel actually touched upon my view of my surrounds and changed the way I think about life itself. I believe anyone who has a soul and an open mind and an imagination that's soars, one who is always asking questions will enjoy this outstanding novel. I for one know I shall read it again and soon...

• I feel that this book is a great representation to show that having a baby at a very young age is hard. Bobby is the main character of the book and he has his first daughter at the age of 16 and her name is Feather. He takes very good care of her and he knows that she needs him to live. He gets little sleep and is always taking care of his daughter. This book is a quick and easy read and I highly recommend it to anyone who wants a quick powerful read.

• Came in great shape . I lost this book when I was about in the 5th grade and I’ve been looking for it ever since ! I’ve always loved reading teen fictions

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