If you are a huge fan of the late poet Maya Angelou, this should be at the top of your list. Serving as an autobiography, this novel opened up many readers’ eyes about the life of Maya Angelou and all that she went through during her childhood.
“I Know Why the Caged Birds Sing” is a coming-of-age novel of showing how a character’s strength can overcom racism and trauma at a young age. The novel started with three year old Maya and her brother being sent to Stamps, Arkansas to live with their grandmother.
This autobiographical fiction story was written following the Civil Rights Movement in terms of a celebration of Black motherhood, the importance of family, a different look of racism and an adventure for self-definition, independence and dignity. This book explore the following themes: Literacy, Racism, Rape and Identity all in a male dominant society.
Each moment of Maya’s life highlight each of these themes in each phase of her life, with rape *Spoiler Alert* happening to her as an eight year old girl and overcoming that as she becomes a teenage mother. Read this novel with caution if Rape is a theme that you’re uncomfortable with. This is a very powerful story that I highly recommend everyone who is interested in African American literature or a fan of Maya Angelou, to read.
I will end this book review with two quotes that I believe perfectly sum up this story quoted by the late Maya Angelou herself:
“Hoping for the best, prepared for the worst, and unsurprised by anything in between” ~Maya Angelou
“The caged bird sings with a fearful trill, of things unknown, but longed for still, and his tune is heard on the distant hill, for the caged bird sings of freedom” ~Maya Angelou
Destiny's Blog 
I read excerpts from this autobiography in one of my high school literature classes. It was great reading your blog post to get a refresher about the content of “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” since it’s been awhile since I read excerpts of the story. I really like the first quote that you wrote at the bottom of your blog post. I think it is always nice to hope for the best in order to not be negative about life, but it is also good to prepare for the worst in case that happens. I agree with Maya Angelou that you won’t be surprised by anything if you do this.
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I remember reading this novel during high school like Ryan did. It was so long ago! I think that the two quotes you included at the end are a perfect way to sum up the novel. I really love the first quote, something to live by for sure.
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It’s book reviews like this that inspire me to rediscover my love for reading. I really liked how you discussed the themes of this book, as well as important quotes. Details like that tend to make me more interested in actually picking up the book. I also really respect that you included a trigger warning into your review– thank you for being aware of how certain topics in a book can affect others!
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If I havent read this book before, your words would read it now
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