I see that a lot of people here are complaining about being subjected (as readers) to reading about Maya's sexual assault. She also would have liked to have been spared the sexual assault. But sometimes, you have to deal with what happens to you. Many children are sexually assaulted. The frequency is shockingly high, and many of the children don't realize or understand and are afraid to speak out. I don't think that admonishing a woman for speaking out helps those children in any way.

The audiobook I got from the library is abridged, so I probably missed some of the stories. I'll probably go find a full copy or a summary to fill me in on the gaps, but otherwise, I really enjoy Maya Angelou's writing and admire her as a person. She is a woman who perseveres and reflects. She stands up for herself.

My favorite story in the audiobook is from her 8th grade commencement (chapter 23 in the book). Her oratory style til that point was a bit monotone to me and lacked fluidity. But, during this memory, she seemed to be on fire and I was wholly engrossed. It was an experience we've all had, but some much more often and more deeply than others; the commencement speaker told her that society would never recognize her qualities and contributions. She was black. Despair and resentment took over. But then, her classmate reminded everyone of their perseverance and success and value and she became a proud member of the black community once more. - I just loved this moment. It gave me hope. ( )

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings is Maya Angelou's autobiography of her childhood. Although I still don't know why the caged bird sings, I do know why this book is required reading for so many schools and on the list of 1001 Books to Read Before You Die. Maya Angelou has beaten the odds. She is African American, grew up from a broken family, never had a stable homelife, was molested and yet she never stopped believing in her ability to achieve greatness. And as a writer, she is great. She is a wonderful inspiration for all of us - students and adults. The audiobook is powerfully narrated by the author.
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