English 2 Reading Guide: The First Part Last, By: Angela Johnson

Directions: Answer the following questions as you read the novel.
Part 1:
1. (page 4) What does Bobby mean when he says: "But I figure if the world were really right, humans would live life backward and do the first part last?"
2. (page 8) Why does Bobby's mom insist that he not hold the baby so much?
3. (page 12) Who are Fred and Mary?
4. (page 13) How did Bobby's pop react when he heard about the baby/
5. (page 14) What are Mary's rules regarding the care of Feather?
6. (page 15) What does Bobby realize about his baby?
7. (page 19) "I used to love this house 'cause I grew up in a place so different." Whose house was Bobby referring to?
8. (page 21) How do Nia's parents react when they learn that she is pregnant?
9. (page 25) Bobby wants Dr. Victor to give him a note to get out of what?
10. (page 27) Why does Nia get upset when Bobby tells her he wants to go to the doctor with her?
11. (page 28) How does Nia react when Bobby suggests that they attend Lamaze?
Part 2:
1. (page 34) Why does Bobby take Feather to the hospital?
2. (page 36) What does Bobby mean when he says "I miss me"?
3. (page 38) How do Bobby's friends react when he tells them Nia is pregnant?
4. (page 40) How does Nia react to her pregnancy?
5. (pages 51-54) How is Bobby adjusting to fatherhood?
6. (page 56) What do Bobby and his friends do to Nelson's classroom?
7. (page 56) Why doesn't Bobby get to see Nelson's reaction?
8. (page 60) What does Bobby do after he drops Feather off with Coco?
9. (page 61) What happens to Bobby?
Part 3:
1. (page 72) Who does Bobby call to come pick him up from the police station? Why did he choose this person?
2. (pages 72-75) How does Bobby's dad react to his run in with the police?
3. (page 79) What do Nia's parents want to do with her?
4. (pages 81-82) What things are making Bobby feel old?
5. (page 86) What are Nia's feelings about becoming a parent?
Part 4:
1. (page 91) How does Bobby feel about his brother Paul?
2. (pages 95-96) Why is Bobby moving back to Brooklyn with his dad? How does he feel about the move?
3. (pages 98-99) What are Bobby and Nia planning to do with the baby?
4. (page 102) What is Mary's (Bobby's mom) feeling about the care of Feather?
5. (page 103) Why does Mary feel that Bobby and Feather will do well with Fred (Bobby's dad)?
6. (page 108) What does Bobby learn about Feather?
7. (page 110) Where are Bobby and his friends going?
8. (page 118) What does Bobby tell Feather about her mom?
9. (page 118) Why does Bobby change his mind about the adoption?
10. (page 122) What happened to Nia?
11. (page 126) Bobby tells himself he is being a man, what makes him feel this way?
12. (pages 131-132) What happens to Bobby and Feather in the end?