This is the story of Precious Jones, a sixteen year old illiterate black girl who has never been out of Harlem. She is pregnant by her own father for the second time, and kicked out of school. Placed in an alternative teaching programme, she learns to read and write. This is Precious’s diary, in which she honestly records her relationships and her life.

‘The Color Purple for the nineties’ Vogue

‘Sapphire’s vibrant, unindulgent first novel has you cheering the awesome Precious on until the last page’ Mail on Sunday

‘Has all the power and vehemence of rap…brutal in its defence of the vulnerable’ Independent

‘Part wishful prayer, part manifesto, mingling poetry and humour…splendid, turbulent, bracing language…its music takes you over, its story grips… A voice to remember’ Scotland on Sunday

‘Harrowing yet hilarious… packs a powerful punch’ Guardian