ISBN: 9781400090655
This Random House Audio production is a reading of Angela Johnson's THE FIRST PART LAST, first published in 2003 by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers. It is the story of Bobby Morris, a sixteen year old who is coping with fatherhood while finishing his last year of high school. The events that explain these circumstances are unfolded in alternating chapters titled "Then" and "Now".
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Khalipa Oldjohn's performance brings this story clearly into focus more than would a casual reading of the book. Oldjohn gives an impressively genuine voice to Bobby dealing with the turn of events. By alternating between the past and present, the listener/reader discovers more and more about Bobby, the reasons he is taking care of his infant daughter and the heartbreaking absence of the baby's mother. The conversational narration is natural and presents a unique viewpoint to a story of teenage pregnancy.
The setting of New York City is referenced accurately and the themes of family relationships, responsiblility and maturity are presented in non-stereotypical fashion.
BOOK REVIEW EXCERPTS
Booklist:
"Johnson makes poetry with the simplest words in short, spare sentences that teens will read again and again."
Kirkus Reviews:
"It's the tale of one young man and his choices, which many young readers will appreciate and enjoy."
CONNECTIONS
*Other books by Angela Johnson: HEAVEN, 1998 -- BIRD, 2004.
*This book would be a good tie-in to any discussion of the social implications of teen pregnancies on communities.
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