All Our Words.

SEARLE, Chris (ed.).

Published by London: Young World Books, 1986

About this Item

First edition, first impression, inscribed by the author on the title page, "To Adrian, with love and thanks, Forward ever! Chris". The recipient was Adrian Mitchell (1932-2008), poet, novelist and playwright. At the time of publication of this volume, it was left to independent publishers to talk about economic inequality and highlight the links between race and class. This volume, opening with the line "it is the ordinary people of this country that make our language", features a collection of essays by Searle, as well as poetry, short stories, and plays written by British schoolchildren from many different backgrounds. In May 1971, Chris Searle, then a young English teacher, was sacked for editing and publishing a collection of children's poetry, "Stepney Words", which captured their lives in East London in a raw and powerful way, capturing the racism and loneliness they felt. The poems so horrified the governors as to result in Searle's dismissal. A week later 800 pupils came out on strike and marched through the City of London to Trafalgar Square. The strike became national headline news and the children received considerable support in the press for their protest. Two years later, after parents, the Inner London Education Authority, the National Union of Teachers, and even Margaret Thatcher, then Education Secretary, came out in favour of Chris Searle, he got his job back and the children were vindicated. Searle went on to edit two collections of children's poetry, Our City (1984) and the present work. Young World Books was founded in 1980 by Searle and Kay Beauchamp. "Notably, Young World Books (the children's book division of the communist Liberation Press) highlighted the ways that workers and BAME people could - and did - work together in Britain and elsewhere", as underscored by the image used on the front cover here. Octavo. Original green pictorial wrappers, title to spine and front cover in black. Spine a little sunned, else fine. Seller Inventory # 149842

Bibliographic Details

Title: All Our Words.

Publisher: London: Young World Books, 1986

Signed: Signed by Author(s)

Edition: 1st Edition