Meet Maya Angelou ANNOTATION
A biography of the multi-faceted African-American woman, Maya Angelou, tracing her life from her childhood in the segrated South to her prominence as a well-known writer.
FROM THE PUBLISHER
Kids of all ages will be inspired by the spirit and determination that took Maya Angelou from a difficult childhood in rural Arkansas to international recognition as a writer, poet, actress, dancer, producer, composer, professor, and political activist.
FROM THE CRITICS
Children's Literature - Amie Rose Rotruck
Maya Angelou's life is wonderfully detailed in this biography from Landmark Books. The introduction describes the pinnacle of Angelou's life: writing a poem for Bill Clinton's inauguration. Spain then details Angelou's difficult and sometimes abusive childhood in age-appropriate yet honest terms. Stills from the movie version of "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" illustrate Angelou's early life. Angelou's conflict between wanting to be a good mother to her son and wanting to try different careers is explained very well, as well as the different forms of racism she encountered throughout her life. Her various artistic talents are showcased in addition to explaining how she began writing and the influence her work has had on the United States. Angelou's biography not only is a good educational source, it is also inspirational to children interested in writing or in other arts. 2003, Random House, Ages 8 up.
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