I+Know+Why+the+Caged+Bird+Sings.

I read Maya Angelou’s //I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings//. This book is about Maya’s experiences growing up and the hardships she faced. Her grandmother, Annie Henderson, and her Uncle Willie began to raise her and her brother in the small town of Stamps, Arkansas. Through a series of events, she moved around the country, sometimes living with her mother, sometimes living with her father. She faced many traumas and difficulties. For example, as a young girl, her mother's boyfriend raped her. While living with her father, she had to deal with his violent girlfriend. She ended up running away, only to return to her mother's care. Also, she had to deal with segregation and other racial injustices. But Maya was strong and determined. She wanted the job of a train conductor although it was only open to white people. Every single day, she went to the business offices and applied for the job. Finally, they succumbed and she became a train conductor. I recommend this book to readers who like biographical memoirs. At times the book got slow and I didn't always want to go on, but I'm glad that I did. I was moved by many of the incidents she described. This book taught me a lot about how hard it was for an African American in the 1930s. There are some parts of this book that are so intense, it's hard to believe. Don't choose this book if you're looking for a light read. --Tess Weiner This sounds like a great book full of tragic and happy things. I like biographical memoirs and definatley intend to read this book. Maya sounds like a very determined girl who certainly wants her dreams to come true. This book sounds like a book that I read earlier, the fact that she runs away reminds me of a Girl Named Diaster which was also on our summer reading list. I can not wait to read this book. -Katherine