Born 4 april 1928, she lived and chronicled an extraordinary life. If the series has an order, add a number or other descriptor in parenthesis after the series title eg. The book was regularly removed from school reading lists, taken out of school libraries, and discarded as indecent and inappropriate for young readers, writes leslie gordon goffe from new york since angelou s first book was published in 1969, the. The world knows her as a poet, but at the heart of her, she was a teacher, oprah said of angelou.
She agrees somewhat reluctantly, but again postponesthis time in order to throw. Her life story is told in the documentary film and still i rise, as seen on pbss american masters. She is best known for her books, including her series of seven autobiographies, starting with the critically acclaimed i know why the caged bird sings 1969. Maya angelou books biography and list of works author. In her fourth memoir, angelou moves with her son to new york city. Numerous and frequentlyupdated resource results are available from this search. New york times bestseller maya angelou shares her path to living well. Angelou s poetry and prose and her refusal to shy away from writing about the difficult times in her past have made her an inspiration to her readers. Her older brother bailey nicknamed her maya derived from mya sister. Maya takes on a new name maya began working as a nightclub singer. Maya angelou at alibris including hardcovers, paperbacks, 1st editions, and audiobooks from thousands of sellers worldwide. In this third selfcontained volume of her autobiography, which began with i know why the caged bird sings, maya angelou moves into the adult world, and the white world as well, as she marries, enters show business, and tours europe and africa in porgy and bess. The collected autobiographies of maya angelou modern library.
She took on the stage name maya angelou, and the name stuck. When angelou was just three years old, and her brother four, her parents marriage ended and she was sent alone on a trian to stamps, arkansas to live with her paternal grandmother. Soon she had moved to new york where she joined the writers guild. An acclaimed american poet, storyteller, activist, and autobiographer, maya angelou was born marguerite johnson in st. Maya angelous autobiography series by maya angelou goodreads.
Angelou had a broad career as a singer, dancer, actress, composer, and hollywoods first female black director, but became most famous as a writer, editor, essayist, playwright, and poet. Sent by their mother to live with their devout, shelve i know why the caged bird sings. She is best known for her books, including her series of seven autobiographies, starting with the critically acclaimed i know why the caged bird sings 1969, which was nominated for a national book award. Oclcs webjunction has pulled together information and resources to assist library staff as they consider how to handle coronavirus. New picture books about creators including ruth asawa, maya angelou and august wilson let children get to know the reallife people. Maya angelous autobiography book series thriftbooks. Maya angelou was an american poet, singer, memoirist, and civil rights activist. About the collected autobiographies of maya angelou. The maya angelous autobiography book series by maya angelou includes books i know why the caged bird sings, gather together in my name, singin and. She was the narrator for a sesame street video called elmo saves christmas in 1996. Maya angelou books list of books by author maya angelou.
The works of maya angelou encompass autobiography, plays, poetry, and teleplays. Maya angelou is an american author and poet in addition to other things. The civil rights movement begins maya worked diligently with civil rights activists. Maya angelou, american poet, memoirist, and actress whose several volumes of autobiography explore the themes of economic, racial, and sexual oppression.
The maya angelou s autobiography book series by maya angelou includes books i know why the caged bird sings, gather together in my name, singin and swingin and gettin merry like christmas, and several more. Facebook post by maya angelou from may 10, 20 im working at trying to be a christian and thats serious business. New york times bestseller maya angelou s classic memoirs have had an enduring impact on american literature and culture. This modern library edition contains i know why the caged bird sings, gather together in my name, singin and. April 4, 1928 may 28, 2014 was an american poet, singer, memoirist, and civil rights activist. The collected autobiographies of maya angelou by maya. She received dozens of awards and more than 50 honorary degrees.
Angelou s works were best sellers and were published in a number of languages. Reliable information about the coronavirus covid19 is available from the world health organization current situation, international travel. The book explains how angelou overcame all of these things, and how. She also had an active directing, acting, and speaking career. At the end of the book, martin luther king asks angelou to take a trip around the country to promote the s. She published three books of essays, several collections of poems, and received dozens of awards and more than 50 honorary degrees. The works of maya angelou encompass autobiography, plays, poetic, and television producer. During a 50year career that culminated in three grammys, one presidential medal of freedom, a pulitzer nomination, and 36 books, maya angelou never failed to use the power of her skilled words to candidly reflect on the sorrows and celebrations of the human experience. Maya angelou biography early life maya angelou was born on april 4, 1928 in st. Maya angelou 1928 2014 maya angelou was born marguerite annie johnson in st. Although not many knew, the late maya angelou was one of the most banned authors in america, for her debut novel i know why the caged bird sings. A complete list of maya angelou books and poems bookbub. A stunning autobiography, i know why the caged bird sings is arguably maya angelou s bestknown work. Maya angelou 19282014 was an american poet, memoirist, and civil rights advocate best known for her seven autobiographies.
Its like trying to be a good jew, a good muslim, a good buddhist, a good shintoist, a good zoroastrian, a good friend, a good lover, a good mother, a good buddy its serious business. She published seven autobiographies, three books of essays, several books of poetry, and is credited with a list of plays, movies, and television shows spanning over 50 years. Dr maya angelou speaks with jonnetta betsch cole as part of the smithsonian national museum of african arts directors discussions series in the rasmussen theater at the smithsonians national museum. She also has active directing, acting, and speaking career. See all books authored by maya angelou, including i know why the caged bird sings, and. Dr maya angelou was one of the worlds most important writers and activists. Learn more about angelou s life and works in this article. Discount prices on books by maya angelou, including titles like note to self. She was born with the name of marguerite ann johnson. She went on to write thirtysix other books including autobiographies, poetry and essays. An author whose series of autobiographies is as admired for its lyricism as its politics, maya angelou is a writer who s done it all. A guide to maya angelou s most beloved books poet and author maya angelou signs copies of maya angelou. It is a heartwrenching comingofage story that follows marguerite from ages 3 to, and.
She is perhaps best known for her autobiographical work i know why the caged bird sings 1969. York times bestseller a moving memoir about the legendary authors. See the complete maya angelou s autobiography series book list in order, box sets or omnibus editions, and companion titles. Common knowledge series maya angelou s autobiographies. New york times bestseller maya angelous classic memoirs have had. Exclusive interview with maya angelou on her new book, mom. If the series has an order, add a number or other descriptor in. A maya angelou biography reads like an american history lesson since she lived during such a pivotal time and was active in current events of the day. Maya angelou books the best maya angelou books and poems. As the book opens, maya, in order to support herself and her young son, gets a job. Through a series of candid essays, angelou writes to the daughter she never. Maya angelou s first book i know why the caged bird sings was published in 1970. Angelou has been featured in a variety of television programs and movies.