Saturday, April 10, 2010

ReadAthon April 2010 - Update 3 - First Part Last by Angela Johnson

Angela Johnson is my new favorite writer.  First Part Last was even better than Heaven.  The voice of Bobby, the teen-aged father, was so real.  I loved how she went back and forth between the time periods: Then - before Feather was born and Now - having and taking care of Feather.  I thought the book would be spoiled because I knew he kept the baby, but it wasn't.  We follow Bobby as he learns to take care of, and be responsible for, his baby girl.  We also listen to him reminiscing about the months before Feather was born. Bobby and Nia had decided to give up the baby and were just trying to make it through.  They were still going to school and hanging out with friends.  If they could just make it through these nine months, everything would be ok, because they were intent on doing the right thing.  As Bobby tells the story of Feather's first few months, although he is extremely tired and at wit's end, you hear his love for her in his "voice".  Every time he has to get up in the middle of the night, change a diaper, go to the sitter, falls asleep in class, etc., the love is there. 
"I want to cry. I want to cry a lot these days, and sometimes I do, and this makes me crazy."  You feel for him and Feather.  Can hardly wait to get to Sweet, Hereafter!


Title of book(s) read since last update:
Rapunzel's Revenge by Shannon Hale
The First Part Last by Angela Johnson
Hotlanta by Denene Millner - 80/272

Number of books read since you started: 5

Pages read since last update:357 pg
Running total of pages read since you started:
687 pgs plus 15 min audio

Amount of time spent reading since last update:3 hrs 10 min
Running total of time spent reading since you started: 7 hrs

Mini-challenges completed:1
Other participants you’ve visited:
Nomad Reader



10 comments:

  1. I like books
    I really do.
    Books with stories
    And pictures, too. (Author unknown)

    Hope you're enjoying everyone you meet and everywhere you go in your reading today.

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  2. I loved this book! I need it for my personal library. It was such a good book!

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  3. Readers rule
    Readers rock
    As the hour grows late
    I wouldn’t be reading any John Locke

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  4. I so want to read this one too!!!

    You're doing great!
    Cheering you on!

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  5. These books are ones that I NEED to read. Next trip to the bookstore or library, I'll get them. They sound fantastic and First Part Last is so unique. A single African American father raising his daughter. We need more stories like that. I want to cry just reaindg reviews of the book, the summary and quotes.

    Keep up your reading! You've read so much :)

    BTW I've read 2 of the books on your mock-Printz list (Borderline and the Last Summer of the death Warriros). This makes me happy =)

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  6. I have been hearing so many great things about Angela Johnson. I need to read her myself.

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  7. I want to read this one too. Sounds great. You are doing fantastic! Keep it up.

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  8. You're doing great! You're getting a lot of books read!

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  9. Don't let those eyes droop
    head out on the stoop
    get some fresh air
    before heading back to that chair
    pick up your book
    take another look
    read, read, read

    ReplyDelete
  10. Wonderful job on the Read-a-Thon! Way to go! I'll be looking forward to reading with you on October. Keep on rocking and reading, read-a-thoner! It's been lots of fun! :D

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Thanks for chatting! I love comments and look forward to reading yours! I may not reply right away, but I am listening! Keep reading and don't forget to be awesome!

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