About the Book:
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
This book is now on many banned book lists, so we thought it was a great choice for this month's discussion.
Maya Angelou’s debut memoir is a modern American classic beloved worldwide. Her life story is told in the documentary film And Still I Rise, as seen on PBS’s American Masters.
Here is a book as joyous and painful, as mysterious and memorable, as childhood itself. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings captures the longing of lonely children, the brute insult of bigotry, and the wonder of words that can make the world right. Maya Angelou’s debut memoir is a modern American classic beloved worldwide.
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.
Poetic and powerful, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings will touch hearts and change minds for as long as people read.
“I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings liberates the reader into life simply because Maya Angelou confronts her own life with such a moving wonder, such a luminous dignity.”—James Baldwin
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Black Girls Think & Grow Rich
Book Club Basic Ground Rules
- Members who haven’t read the book – Come anyway. Not everyone can finish every book, but non-readers may still have valuable insights.
- Disagreements about the book – Be gracious! There is no one way to experience or interpret a book. In fact, differing opinions are good.
- Maintain Focus – Discussion time will be limited to discussion about the book. There is time to socialize before and after the book club meeting.
- Confidentiality – What is said at the book club meeting stays at the book club meeting. Members may choose to share personal insights and we want to respect their willingness to be open, candid or vulnerable.
- Quiet Environment – Cell phones and other electronic devices should be placed on silent or vibrate so not to disturb the discussion.
- Support our venue – The venue is providing a free meeting place for the book club, so please support them by purchasing food and/or drink. No outside food or drink should be brought into the venue.
- Keep it moving – Please be concise with your insights and comments so we have time to hear from as many members as possible.
- Time – Please be on time or early if possible. That gives everyone time to get settled and socialize before the meeting, so we can begin and end on time.
