The First Part Last

Printz Award winner The First Part Last was written by Angela Johnson and tells the story of a teenage father who is caring for his newborn daughter while still trying to go to high school.  The story tells the story of a New York city teen who has his good life going to school, hangin out with his friends and his girl, Nia.  Everything is great until Nia tells him she is pregnant and now his life is no longer about him, but about the baby that is coming and the changes that he must face as a single father with a newborn to care for.  The story jumps back and forth from the past to the current time, but is a short read that has a powerful impact on what happens when teen pregnancy happens.

I love the way this Printz Award winner deals with what it is like to have to leave your teen years behind in order to become an adult with a family.  Teens who are facing or know someone who is facing this situation will find the story to be heart wrenching and heart warming at the same time.