I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
by Maya Angelou

Subjects: African Americans, Identity 
Genre: Autobiography

This is the chronicle of Maya Angelou's life from the time she was three until she turned seventeen and graduated from high school.  She is a poor black girl in Arkansas.  This book describes her dreams, trials, and struggles in the South to overcome racism and find her identity. She is very matter of fact and tells her story with pride and dignity. She is raped at the age of eight and her rapist is murdered. At the age of sixteen she experiments with sex one time. Nine months later she gives birth to her son.  These are just a few of the true episodes in Maya's life. To find out more about Maya and how she overcomes incredible obstacles to become a world renowned poet, read I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings.

Booktalk prepared by Janice Bailey, East Central High Librarian