His Own Where - (Contemporary Classics by Women (Feminist Press)) by June Jordan (Paperback)

About the Book

Book Synopsis

"This June Jordan treasure is a rare piece of fiction from one of America's most vital poets and political essayists--a tender story of young love in the face of generational opposition, a modern-day Romeo and Juliet that sings and sways." --Walter Mosley

Nominated for a National Book Award in 1971, His Own Where is the story of Buddy, a fifteen-year-old boy whose world is spinning out of control. He meets Angela, whose angry parents accuse her of being wild. When life falls apart for Buddy and his father, and when Angela is attacked at home, they take action to create their own way of staying alive in Brooklyn. In the process, the two find refuge in one another and learn that love is real and necessary. His Own Where was one of The New York Times' Most Outstanding Books and was on the American Library Association's list of Best Books in 1971.

June Jordan was a poet, essayist, journalist, dramatist, activist, and educator known for challenging oppression through her inspirational words and actions. She was the founder of Poetry for the People at the University of California, Berkeley, where she taught for many years. The author of over twenty books, her poetry is collected in Directed by Desire; her selected essays in Some of Us Did Not Die.

Sapphire is the author of American Dreams, Black Wings & Blind Angels, and Push, which was made into the 2009 award-winning motion picture Precious.

Review Quotes

There must be bridges if we are to reach our young. His Own Where promises to be one. --New York Times Book Review

"This June Jordan treasure is a rare piece of fiction from one of America's most vital poets and political essayists--a tender story of young love in the face of generational opposition, a modern-day Romeo and Juliet that sings and sways. --Walter Mosley, author of Cinnamon Kiss

"Jordan makes us think of Akhmatova, of Neruda. She is among the bravest of us, the most outraged. She feels for all. She is the universal poet." --Alice Walker, author of The Color Purple

"Whatever her theme or mode, June Jordan continually delineates the conditions of survival--of the body, and mind, and the heart." --Adrienne Rich, author of Diving into the Wreck

"In political journalism that cuts like razors, in essays that blast the darkness of confusion with relentless light; in poetry that looks as closely into lilac buds as into death's mouth . . . she has comforted, explained, described, wrestled with, taught and made us laugh out loud before we wept. . . . I am talking about a span of forty years of tireless activism coupled with and fueled by flawless art." --Toni Morrison, author of The Bluest Eye

About the Author

Sapphire burst on to the literary scene in 1994 with American Dreams. She is also the author of Black Wings & Blind Angels and Push, which was made into the 2009 award-winning motion picture Precious.