Rating: 
Summary: A lot like "Hanging Onto Max"
Review:
This is a short book (131 pages), but is worth the few hours of reading time.
Bobby is 16 and has a baby daughter named Feather. Mostly he takes care of her himself, only dropping her off at a baby sitter's for the time he has to go to school. Bobby has an extremely hard time taking care of Feather and going to school, after getting no sleep every night. Nia, Feather's mother, does not really come into the book until almost the end of the book.
This book is sad and good. I gave it 4 stars because I don't think I'd ever want to read it again, but it is still worth reading.
I recommend "Hanging Onto Max" more than this book.
~Atalanta
Rating: 
Summary: first part last
Review: "Then she was all dark hair, hands in fists, Nia's nose and mouth. She came to me so slow, it was just like somebody brushed the air witha feather." the first part last by Angela Johnson.
I just finished reading the book "the first part last." It is an absolutely incredible story. The book is a fairly quick read but definitely not light reading. Angela Johnson's book, which won the Michael Prinz Award for Excellence in Young Adult Literature, is the moving story of a teenage dad. The story alternates between then, when Bobby's girlfriend Nia was pregnant and now, after the baby is born. The book leaves the reader with the mixed feelings of sadness and joy as Bobby makes the decisions that he believes will benefit his daughter, Feather, the most. I recommend this thought provoking book for more mature 14 and 15 year-olds and older.
Rating:
Summary: Amazing
Review: An beutifully written novel that shows a side of the story that is not often explored in a postive light, teenage fatherhood. This story follows the young mans everyday life, exploring how difficult it is to know what to do whats right for a child when you don't even know what to do for yourself yet.
Rating:
Summary: A Long Awaited Perspective-Teenage Fatherhood
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: A Teenage Boy Becomes of Age.
Review: Bobby just found out he is going to be a father. Here lies the beginning of a wonderful story written by Angela Johnson. The book is in two parts. They are title Now and Then. The author takes you to before and after the arrival of the baby Feather. Bobby is a teenage boy who found out his girlfriend Nia is expecting. The book describes Bobby, Nia and their family feelings on the baby. The book to me is a wondeful take on the reality of teen pregnancy. On a sad not the readers find out that Nia is in a form of coma where she is in a vegative state for the rest of her life after giving birth to the baby. Wonderful read for teens who are intimate with one another. They could read this and comprehend somewhat the huge responsibility of having a baby as a teen.
Rating:
Summary: Bobby's interior world is an important point of view
Review: Bobby, sixteen years old, is catapulted into single parenthood. Feather, his baby daughter, is completely his responsibility after her mother, Nia, suffers brain damage. The story switches between the pregnancy and "now". Bobby is both believable and beautiful. He can be raw and tender at the same time. After reading what it was like for Bobby to hold his baby girl on his stomach and kiss the top of her head, what it is to live every day as a young guy parenting on his own, I can't think stereotypically or blanketly about teenaged parents. Without being an "issues book", Johnson's is a book that cuts to the core. This is a marvelous book.
Rating:
Summary: A reality check
Review: Bringing a child into the world is a decision that should be made after much thought and conversation with one's spouse. Even the most level-headed adult can be overwhelmed with the responsibilities associated with the well-being of a baby, no matter how old they are. But, imagine being a teenager, suddenly thrown into the role of expectant father and then fatherhood. It is not something discussed often enough in our society, yet author Angela Johnson has focused on this subject in the book THE FIRST PART LAST, narrated by sixteen-year-old Bobby Morris.
Bobby Morris is like most other teenage guys in his neighborhood. He likes to play basketball, hang out with his friends, and skip school on occasion. All of this changes when his girlfriend becomes pregnant. Determined to do the right thing and support her decision to have the baby and then give it up for adoption, he's there to comfort her and assure her all will be well. His childhood is immediately taken from him as things don't work out quite as planned and he finds himself with his daughter Feather relying solely on him. Feather is his first priority and though he lives with his mother, she's stepped back in order for him to step up to be the man necessary to raise his child. From the amazement of having his own child, to the look of adoration on her face, Bobby must make the journey of fatherhood and deal with growing up faster than planned.
THE FIRST PART LAST is a reality check for many teenagers who are participating in sexual activities and should be required reading in schools across the country. Johnson uses chapters entitled "Now" and "Then" to back-track from the past (before the baby is born) to the present (after the baby is born) of Bobby's young life. It is a touching story of a boy struggling with his feelings of fatherhood and all things necessary to ensure his daughter's well-being. While I did enjoy the story, I often felt as if I was in a game of Red Light, Green Light in which you stop and go depending on the leader's directions. I didn't like the format of switching from past and present in alternating chapters as it took some of the intensity away from the story. However, the book did paint a very realistic view of teenage pregnancy and the joys, fears, and thoughts of parenthood.
Reviewed by Tee C. Royal
of The RAWSISTAZ™ Reviewers
Rating:
Summary: Outstanding
Review: I bought this book because it seemed mildly intresting, reading a story about parenthood from the farthers point of view... but as i started reading the book, it kinda seemed a little slow, i was proud of Bobby for taking care of his daugther, but i couldnt figure out why the mother wasnt involved. The ending was touching, moving, shocking, and heart stopping. I had no idea that the story was going there. In a whole, when i set back and look at the book after reading it, the story was very good, and touching, and it makes you think, i love a book that makes you think, and sticks with you for weeks after you are doing reading it.... If you have any intrest in reading a story about teen pareenthood, pick this book up, i guarantee that Bobby and Feather will touch your lives, and stick with you.
Rating:
Summary: One that you won't want to miss...
Review: I chose to read this book for a literature class this summer. I found it hard to put down and I was sorry when it was over. It is the story of a 16 year old boy who chooses to raise his baby daughter instead of putting her up for adoption. I think every teenager (boys and girls) should read this book. It has a great message and I believe all teenagers could relate to the characters in the book. This is the first Angela Johnson book I have read, but I can't wait to put my hands on her other books! (...)
Rating:
Summary: Different point of view
Review: I loved this book, and couldn't put it down! Not only does Angela Johnson have a unique writing style, but also the book shows teenage parenthood from the father's point of view, which is not something commonly found. The books plot is very simple and easy to read. It's definately a book that you can "feel" for the character and how he changes. I highly recommend this book!
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