I need to read "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" by Maya Angelou. Seriously, she is an amazing woman. This picture book biography is an excellent entrance into her life. ( )

Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss. ( )

"Rise!: From Caged Bird to Poet of the People, Maya Angelou" tells the story of Maya Angelou's life from her childhood in Stamps, Arkansas to her adulthood as a performer, writer, and civil rights activist. Bethany Hegedus's rhythmic, poetic writing style is perfectly suited for recounting Angelou's story. Tonya Engel's illustrations are beautiful and vibrant. It is an excellent biography. I would recommend this book to older children and adults (4th grade +). ( )

Maya Angelou was a woman of many hats: a poet, a performer, a writer, an activist, and a humanitarian...
Wow, wow, WOW. I LOVED "RISE! From Caged Bird to Poet of the People, Maya Angelou" and had chills the whole time I was reading it. I couldn't help but read Bethany Hegedus's eloquent words, lyrical text aloud so I could get a proper feel of Maya Angelou's story. Children today deserve to have a book like this on their shelves in order to learn about the wonderful Maya Angelou and her amazing/heartbreaking life and overcoming obstacles. ( )

Longer and more involved than most picture book biographies. Very worthwhile. ( )