Publisher: Bantam Books Page Count: 246 Nonfiction Genre: Classic, Autobiography, Memoir, Historical, Feminism, Race, American-Lit. Dates Read: November 16-19, 2015 Reading Challenge: Mega Reading Challenge Topic: #62: A book you haven't read in 10 years Series: N/A Good Reads Summary Sent by their mother to live with their devout, self-sufficient grandmother in a small Southern town, Maya and her brother, Bailey, endure the ache of abandonment and the prejudice of the local "powhitetrash." At eight years old and back at her mother’s side in St. Louis, Maya is attacked by a man many times her age—and has to live with the consequences for a lifetime. Years later, in San Francisco, Maya learns that love for herself, the kindness of others, her own strong spirit, and the ideas of great authors ("I met and fell in love with William Shakespeare") will allow her to be free instead of imprisoned. Review I must warn you, this book was a staple of my teenage years. I wouldn't have made it through many a hard times had it not been for the powerful words of Miss Maya Angelou and the strength she possessed even as a young woman. I first discovered this book when I was in a very dark place as a tween. I met a girl who I would briefly only know for a few weeks. She gave me her copy after she had finished it and told me to read it. She said it would change my life. She was right; it did. I don't know what happened to her; I don't even remember her name. I just remember that she gave me a wonderful book and she is the first person I ever met with an actual nose ring. I am ashamed to admit that it had been so long since I picked this book up, but there is something to be said for taking many breaths between rereadings of your favorite piece. This book isn't for everyone. Some people find it pretentious or boring. I don't know these people, and I imagine I would not like these people, but we're all entitled to be wrong. The book is filled with pain, but also with love. The love young Maya has for her brother and for grandmother and uncle, and event he distant admiration she has for her mother is enough to heal all the pain. She talks about some issues I can never understand, like what it is like to be a young black girl in St. Louis (I'm a pasty white girl from Iowa), or the systematic racism that she grew up in. But, Angelou opened my eyes to her experiences. What life was like for her and those around her. as always, her writing and prose were on par. She made you feel with her; all her joy, passion, pain, fear, love. You were there with her. Angelou gave you a clear picture of her surroundings, as though you were standing in her past as an invisible background observer. This is one of those books that I strongly believe that all young girls should read several times throughout their lives, and I hope tot take my own advice and read it many more times. Maya was the Queen long before Beyonce was out of her Pampers. Ratings (based on a 10 point scale) Quality of Writing - 8 Pace - 6 Plot Development - 7 Characters - 9 Enjoyability - 8 Insightfulness - 9 Ease of Reading - 8 Photos/Illustrations - N/A Overall Rating - 4 out of 5 stars
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