Rating: 
Summary: A young womans struggle
Review: I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings is, in my mind, one of the best books ever written. This is a wonderful coming of age story of a young African American girl growing up in the 50's and 60's. It tells the story of a young woman and her brother and the struggles Maya faces trying to be the best she possibly can be. Marguerite (Maya) is a very intelligent, well spoken young woman, but she never has the chance to really shine. When Maya is about 11, she is molested by her mothers boyfriend, and later raped when no one is home. She is immediately scared into silece and never really has the chance to blossom. She and her brother are then sent back to Stamps Arkansas to be raised by their grandmother. She then begins to attend school, and the book goes on to tell her life story of how she came to be the woman she is today. This book is an inspiration to anyone who has ever faced adversity. The things that this woman has endured are enough to make you thank the Lord above for your life. If I were dealt the same cards as Maya, I don't think I would have such a prominent place in society as she does. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings is an eye-opener for anyone who thinks that they have had it "hard"." This book allowed me to know some of what a young black girl growing up in the south experiences in her quest to better herself and her life. After reading this book, I have a much deeper respect for Maya Angelou. Many people, myself included, are not completely aware of the harsh conditions that blacks were forced to endure decades ago. I believe that this book is a good way for one to read what life in the south for blacks once was. This book is a true inspiration for anyone who has dreams.
Rating:
Summary: Required Reading
Review: This is a book that most people should be required to read. Although I'm not quite finished with it, I've already been struck with Maya Angelou's straightforward writing style. She's honest and up front. And she doesn't write like an adult looking back upon her life, but actually takes you back and puts you in her place and the thoughts that went through her head. One reviewer said that Angelou herself was racist. I don't think this is true. The truth is that there was a large amount of racism and segregation when Angelou was growing up, and you can't blame her for telling the truth about it, and to the person who claimed that including the rape was sick, you're not only being juvenile but are missing the point entirely. This is an autobiography and in autobiographies people recount events that have had large impacts upon them, that have shaped their lives, and being raped, especially at such a young age, would definitely have an impact on you. All in all, I find this book refreshingly honest, not to mention many times poetic.
Rating:
Summary: Impression
Review: This is an amazing autobiography. Ms. Angelou is a beautiful story teller. She leads you in with beautiful words, but don't get the impression that it is simply a sweet book because its not. She tells the way it really was for her growing up and all the courage needed to survive.
I would like to recommend these also: Nightmares Echo (courage and determination in the life of a child of abuse,self-healing)Running With Scissors (deals with abuse,dysfunction,also courageous)
Rating: 
Summary: Truly Remarkable Reading
Review: I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings is easily one of the most passionate books ever written. Maya Angelou did an amazing job of telling the early years of her life story. This is just the first book that depicts her autobigraphy. The language in this book is so nicely detailed and the words just mesh together so well, it's hard not to enjoy reading this book. Maya Angelou describes her early life and the troubles she had as an African American woman growing up in the 1940s. She had an amazing life and her stories can teach us all a thing or two. I almost cheered out loud when she stood up for herself to get her first job. She describes her personal stories with such compassion and mixes in some humor to allow the book's flow to be smooth. Maya Angelou is a remarkable woman with an incredible story to tell, no matter how shocking some of it really is. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings is a great starting point. This book is an excellent, pleasurable read.
Rating:
Summary: I love this book!
Review: I first read this book in high school over 25 years ago and all I could remember about it was the rape scene. But I just finished reading it for the second time and realized what a great writer Maya Angelou is! She writes such beautiful descriptions of everyday life. Now I'll have to read all her other books!
Rating:
Summary: Review:
Review: This books is the first of five books written about Maya Angelou (born Marguerite Johnson) chronicling her own life. She--and her brother Bailey--were sent to the Jim Crow South to live with their grandmother at a very young age. In this book, we follow her from childhood in Stamps, Arkansas to adulthood in WWII San Francisco. I don't know why I haven't read this book sooner. I admire Maya Angelou as a speaker and a poet, but it took something like Banned Books Week to make me get off my ass and read this book. I've had this book for a couple of years. I remember there was an excerpt from this book in my English 101 book when I first started college. I kept telling myself that I was going to read it soon, and I finally have. I can see why the subject matter would concern some people, but I don't think this should be pulled from schools. I don't believe that she ever intended for this to be on a school's reading list, but it is (on some), and I think that it should stay there. It doesn't glorify racism or sexual abuse. Instead, it seems to teach a lesson and speak warnings. Angelou's writing was candid. She didn't hold back about her life and the hardships that she encountered. She shares an honest view on racism and sexual abuse. The writing takes on a more personal tone that makes it easy to read. And of course, this was all related with a eloquent, poetical prose style that is uniquely Angelou.
Rating:
Summary: Best Iv read
Review: I really like this book it hooked me till the very end.
Rating: 
Summary: Don't waste your time
Review: This book is really not deep or profound, contrary to popular belief. It does contain a few "shocking" things, but definitely nothing profound. For profundity read works by Chaim Potok, Steinbeck, Orwell, Kesey, or any other of the many GREAT authors.
Also this book is poorly written. The language is correct, but no wear near the beaty of other great authors. Truly there is something better you could do with your money.
If you want something shocking do extreme sports like climbing or surfing or listen to punk rock, not this.
Rating:
Summary: Phenomenal Woman
Review: Maya is a very incredible writer. Her words float off your tongue while you read her work. I never read anything by Maya before so I was very amazed while reading I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. You would think you were reading a novel instead of a biography. She has an interesting style of writing. Maya tells you how it was growing up in the 50s and 60s. Maya didn't have people that loved her outside her family. Her family even showed their love in such odd ways. Maya parents sent her and her brother Bailey away to live with their grandmother when they were five and six. The only person that Maya felt really loved her was her older brother Bailey. Maya tried to find love but she looks in the wrong places. She faced many obstacles during her childhood days, which she talks about in the book. Maya worked her way around them to become the strong person she is today. I think this book is a good inspiration for anyone who had to go through what Maya went through. I admire her because she faced so many struggles and she became a successful person in life. Maya lets me know never to give up because you never know where you're going to end up unless you keep going. I recommend this book to anybody who enjoys a good author as well as a book.
Rating:
Summary: Impression
Review: Marti, A reviewer,
This is an amazing autobiography. Ms. Angelou is a beautiful story teller. She leads you in with beautiful words, but don't get the impression that it is simply a sweet book because its not. She tells the way it really was for her growing up and all the courage needed to survive. Also recommending the following: Nightmares Echo (courage and determination in the life of a child of abuse,self-healing)Running With Scissors (deals with abuse,dysfunction,also courageous)
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