Joonie

Heartwarming yet tough, this unforgettable story centers around a brave, young black girl named Joonie from Grassy Park, South Africa. When both her uncle and local priest attempt to take sexual advantage of her, Joonie refuses their advances. For all her fortitude, however, Joonie is slow to learn from the past—especially with respect to relationships—and she soon finds herself single and pregnant. A journey of self-discovery, this narrative chronicles Joonie’s coping with a shocking revelation about her identity in a foreign country and celebrates her indomitable spirit.

Rayda Jacobs is a filmmaker and the author of numerous books, including Confessions of a Gambler, My Father’s Orchid, and Sachs Street. She is the recipient of the Herman Charles Bosman Award and the Sunday Times Literary Award for Fiction.