Ik weet waarom gekooide vogels zingen (1969)

Good autobiography of a black girl growing up (Maya). It's amazing it took me so long to read this, since I like this sort of thing. There are some mature parts, so I'd say you should be at least 16 before reading this. Gave me even more empathy for the black experience and the effect of broken families. ( )

Memoir of Maya’s Angelou’s challenging childhood from age 3 to 17. Her parents divorced and sent her to live with her paternal grandmother in the depression-era segregated south. At times, she was reunited with her mother, but these instances ultimately resulted in more trouble. The subject matter is somber and distressing, including bigotry, hatred, rape, and abandonment. She inserts humor to lighten the mood, but overall, I felt a lingering anger in her words, not that I blame her. She related her early years through a series of memorable, but choppy, episodes that imparted a feeling of what it must have been like to grow up in a hostile environment. It was not all bleak, though. She demonstrated the power of books and education to provide an escape and highlighted several people that influenced her positively, such as her grandmother, her brother, an Arkansas woman, and one of her teachers. Recommended to those interested in African American history, biographies/memoirs, or frank stories of a hard childhood. Contains graphic descriptions of sexual abuse. ( )

Here's what I wrote in 2008 about this read: "Wonderful, she's wonderful. Can't wait to hear her speak when she's in Cincinnati June, 2008 (have tickets!) This autobiography was on the New York Times best seller list for three years. Re-read someday." ( )

Old-school story-telling at it's best. Mark Twain and Harper Lee come to mind, to give you a feel of how delicious the story-telling is. Her matter-of-factly strength, depth and clarity are a delight. A must read. ( )

Inspiring, one of a kind. ( )