Maya’s momma was right.
Maya was a preacher, a teacher.
A Black girl whose voice
chased away darkness, ushered in light.
When Maya Angelou was born in 1928, there were few opportunities for a black girl to speak up. In fact, after she was abused by her mother's boyfriend, Maya stopped speaking altogether. But her mother did her best to buoy her up, saying, "Once you start speaking again, / ain’t nobody gonna be able to shut you up." And it was true; Maya's words words uplifted and inspired generations of readers, and she became the first Black person and first woman to recite a poem at a presidential inauguration. Even today, her influence echoes through culture and history.
Newbery Honor and Coretta Scott King Author Award winner Renée Watson uses Angelou’s beloved medium of poetry to lyrically chronicle her rich life in a deeply moving narrative. Vivid and striking collage art by Caldecott Honor recipient and Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award winner Bryan Collier completes this unforgettable portrait of one of the most important American artists in history.
Recommended Age | 5 - 9 |
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Author | Renée Watson |
Illustrator | Bryan Collier |
ISBN | 0062871587 |
Publication Date | Sep 20, 2022 |
Publisher | HarperCollins |
Language | English |