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The First Part Last

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About The Book

Bobby's a classic urban teenager. He's restless. He's impulsive. But the thing that makes him different is this: He's going to be a father. His girlfriend, Nia, is pregnant, and their lives are about to change forever. Instead of spending time with friends, they'll be spending time with doctors, and next, diapers. They have options: keeping the baby, adoption. They want to do the right thing.
If only it was clear what the right thing was.

About The Author

Photograph by Roz Pinkard
Angela Johnson

Angela Johnson has won three Coretta Scott King Awards, one each for her novels The First Part Last, Heaven, and Toning the Sweep. The First Part Last was also the recipient of the Michael L. Printz Award. She is also the author of the novels Looking for Red and A Certain October. Her books for younger readers include the Coretta Scott King Honor Book When I Am Old with You, illustrated by David Soman; Wind Flyers and I Dream of Trains, both illustrated by Loren Long; and Lottie Paris Lives Here and its sequel Lottie Paris and the Best Place, both illustrated by Scott M. Fischer. Additional picture books include A Sweet Smell of Roses, Just Like Josh Gibson, The Day Ray Got Away, and All Different Now. In recognition of her outstanding talent, Angela was named a 2003 MacArthur Fellow. She lives in Kent, Ohio. Visit her at AJohnsonAuthor.com.

Product Details

  • Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers (May 11, 2010)
  • Length: 144 pages
  • ISBN13: 9781439106587
  • Ages: 12 - 99
  • Lexile ® 790 The Lexile reading levels have been certified by the Lexile developer, MetaMetrics®

Raves and Reviews

U.S. News and World Report Johnson has carved a niche writing realistically about young people's issues.

SLJ, starred review Brief, poetic, and absolutely riveting.

Publishers Weekly, starred review Readers will only clamor for more.

Booklist, starred review Poetry.

Awards and Honors

  • ALA Michael L. Printz Award
  • Lincoln Award: Illinois Teen Readers' Choice Master List
  • Booklist Editors' Choice
  • South Carolina Picture Book Award Nominee
  • CBC/NCSS Notable Social Studies Trade Book
  • ALA Best Books For Young Adults
  • ALA Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers
  • Georgia Peach Book Award for Teen Readers Nominee
  • ILA Young Adults' Choices
  • Iowa Teen Award Nominee
  • Charlotte Award Suggested Reading List (NY)
  • Garden State Teen Book Award Nominee (NJ)
  • Florida Teens Read Master List
  • Coretta Scott King Award (ALA)
  • Gateway Readers Award Final Nominee (MO)
  • Volunteer State Book Award Nominee (TN)
  • Eliot Rosewater Indiana High School Book Award Nominee
  • High School Sequoyah Book award Master List (OK)
  • YARP Award Nominee (SD)
  • Gryphon Award for Children's Literature
  • Green Mountain Book Award Master List (VT)
  • Alabama Author's Award
  • ALA Margaret A. Edwards Award
  • Virginia Hamilton Literary Award Recipie

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More books from this author: Angela Johnson