I Know Why the Caged Birds Sing, a novel written by Maya Angelou, accounts her life from age 3 through age 16, narrating an unsettled and traumatic childhood that included rape and racism. Maya Angelou describes her coming of age as an intelligent but insecure Black girl in the American South during the 1930s, and subsequently in California during the 1940s.
This autobiography was one of heartbreak and hope. I would rate this novel 5 out of 5 stars because of the writing style. Maya Angelou put her heart and soul into writing about her time growing up. She wanted everyone who read her book to know that there is light at the end of the tunnel. There is hope through the storm, and I am so glad I was able to take away from this book and read it.