Writer, activist, trolley car conductor, dancer, mother, and humanitarian Maya Angelou's life was marked by transformation and perseverance. In this comprehensive picture-book biography geared towards older readers, Bethany Hegedus lyrically traces Maya's life from her early days in Stamps, Arkansas through her work as a freedom fighter to her triumphant rise as a poet of the people. Coupled with Tonya Engel's metaphorical and emotive illustrations, this biography beautifully conveys the heartaches and successes of this truly phenomenal woman, and is a powerful tribute to the written word.
A foreword by Angelou's grandson, Colin A. Johnson, describes how a love of literature and poetry helped young Maya overcome childhood trauma and turn adversity into triumph. This stunning picture book for tween readers, written in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the publication of I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, recognizes one of the most inspiring voices of our lifetime.
"Rhythmic words render a rich snapshot of Maya Angelou’s remarkable rise from a little girl riding a train to an uncertain destiny in Stamps, Ark., to a revered poet invoking words to welcome a new president in Washington, D.C.... This tapestry of the highs and lows of lived experience ultimately coalesces in her enduringly popular poetic works: 'Her words/ her words/ still rise. They will always/ rise/ rise/ rise.' In Engel’s colorful paintings, strong women are rooted like trees, injustices are weighed in scales, and words soar and fly, representing the magical realities, emotional expressiveness, and deep resonance of Angelou’s poetic vision." — Publishers Weekly
Recommended Age | 9 - 12 |
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Author | Bethany Hegedus |
Illustrator | Tonya Engel |
ISBN | 1620145871 |
Publication Date | Aug 13, 2019 |
Publisher | Lee & Low Books |
Language | English |