Who Look At Me / June Jordan / 1969

Who Look At Me / June Jordan / 1969

Published in 1969, Jordan's debut poetry collection was written for children yet retains many hallmark features of her style. There is a twist in Jordan's rhythm, a willingness to say something that feel strange in the mouth, even as it fits between your teeth. This collection doesn't shy away from the grief of history, tackling the turmoil of the violence and wreckage head on. It conveys the lessons of survival urgently. In this era of picture books and talking animals, we need more of this energy, of taking children's intelligence and sturdiness seriously. At the same time, I cannot imagine reading this to the children in my life, although upper elementary aged children who have been given solid educations can probably handle it. 3/5