Back in print after more than five years, this is the extraordinary first short story collection by the author of Family.

"In its strong folk flavor, Cooper's work reminds us of Langston Hughes and Zora Neale Hurston...It is a delight to read."
--Alice Walker

"The label 'short' story is a woefully inadequate description of these intensely, explicitly moral tales. 'Parable' is more appropriate. Cooper's stories are rich in wisdom and insight."
--Belles Lettres

"J. California Cooper is indeed an extraordinary writer...She has the rare quality of a natural storyteller, and her work must carry the highest recommendation. Definitely a book that's worth reading."
--African Concord (Zimbabwe)
J. California Cooper is the author of four novels and six collections of stories. She was honored as Black Playwright of the Year, and her work received the American Book Award, the James Baldwin Writing Award, and the Literary Lion Award from the American Library Association. She died in 2014. View titles by J. California Cooper

About

Back in print after more than five years, this is the extraordinary first short story collection by the author of Family.

"In its strong folk flavor, Cooper's work reminds us of Langston Hughes and Zora Neale Hurston...It is a delight to read."
--Alice Walker

"The label 'short' story is a woefully inadequate description of these intensely, explicitly moral tales. 'Parable' is more appropriate. Cooper's stories are rich in wisdom and insight."
--Belles Lettres

"J. California Cooper is indeed an extraordinary writer...She has the rare quality of a natural storyteller, and her work must carry the highest recommendation. Definitely a book that's worth reading."
--African Concord (Zimbabwe)

Author

J. California Cooper is the author of four novels and six collections of stories. She was honored as Black Playwright of the Year, and her work received the American Book Award, the James Baldwin Writing Award, and the Literary Lion Award from the American Library Association. She died in 2014. View titles by J. California Cooper

Books for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

Every May we celebrate the rich history and culture of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders. Browse a curated selection of fiction and nonfiction books by AANHPI creators that we think your students will love. Find our full collection of titles for Higher Education here.

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