07/08/2019
Rhythmic words render a rich snapshot of Maya Angelou’s remarkable rise from a little girl riding a train to an uncertain destiny in Stamps, Ark., to a revered poet invoking words to welcome a new president in Washington, D.C. Her multifaceted life and emotions are sensitively portrayed, with the joys of discovering words and performance and professional success depicted alongside the deep sorrow of childhood trauma—“One day, Maya, left alone with Mr. Freeman, is anything but free”—and her anguish following the assassinations of Malcolm X and Martin Luther King. This tapestry of the highs and lows of lived experience ultimately coalesces in her enduringly popular poetic works: “Her words/ her words/ still rise. They will always/ rise/ rise/ rise.” In Engel’s colorful paintings, strong women are rooted like trees, injustices are weighed in scales, and words soar and fly, representing the magical realities, emotional expressiveness, and deep resonance of Angelou’s poetic vision. Ages 7–10. (Aug.)
* "An important and powerful addition to any biography collection." — School Library Journal, starred review
"In propulsive free verse and vibrant illustrations, Hegedus and Engel present the life and legacy of Maya Angelou. . . Engel's warm, swirling acrylic and oil paintings illustrate the various moods of the story, from the anticipation of journey and discovery to the looming shadow of the young girl's abuser to the passionate work of the civil rights movement—and the metaphorical cage Angelou finds herself in after tragedy. The thoughtful back matter includes a detailed biographical timeline, photographs, an author's note, websites of sexual assault organizations, selected bibliography, and quotation sources." — The Horn Book
"This deeply important story will foster further discussion around racism, sexual abuse, and courage." — Kirkus Reviews
"In Engel's colorful paintings, strong women are rooted like trees, injustices are weighed in scales, and words soar and fly, representing the magical realities, emotional expressiveness, and deep resonance of Angelou's poetic vision." — Publishers Weekly
"In merely 48 pages, Maya Angelou's remarkable life is presented in full, through rhythmic free verse that emphasizes her formative years." — Booklist
Amelia Bloomer Book List - American Library Association (ALA) Best Children's Books of the Year - Bank Street College of Education Dogwood Readers Award - Missouri Association of School Librarians Editors' Choice - Booklist Notable Books in the Language Arts - National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) Notable Poetry and Verse Novels - National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) Septima Clark Book Award - National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS)
★ 09/01/2019
Gr 4–6—Maya Angelou overcame an utterly terrifying childhood experience that left her temporarily mute. Despite these challenging circumstances, she went on to accomplish so much. Yet her success may have had a completely different outcome had she not had the love and support of a few key people who helped her turn fear into courage. The author includes a surprising amount of information in this picture book biography, especially given its sparse, narrative verse. The rich language conveys the emotions Angelou felt at different times in her life, ranging from terror to jubilance. The publisher has suggested the target audience as ages 7–10 and grades 4–6. This distinction is important to note because the story touches on specific events that may require additional explanation from an adult if the child is in that younger age category. For example, on the page that addresses the traumatic rape Angelou endured as a child, Hegedus writes: "One day, Maya, left alone with Mr. Freeman, is anything but free. After a visit to the hospital, Maya calls out Mr. Freeman's name as the one who hurt her. Mr. Freeman spends only one night in jail. Later, he is found crumpled behind the slaughterhouse. Maya falls silent, scared her voice struck him dead." The illustrations, done in acrylic and oil on textured paper, are luscious and colorful and expand on the beautifully written text. Back matter includes a time line of Angelou's life, additional resources, and references. VERDICT An important and powerful addition to any biography collection.—Maggie Chase, Boise State University, ID
2019-05-26
Maya Angelou: writer, performer, activist.
In a foreword, Angelou's grandson, Colin Johnson, prepares readers for a story that is not at all a fairy tale and will inevitably prompt conversations. Hegedus' poem starts with young Maya and older brother Bailey heading to Stamps, Arkansas, where they will live with their paternal grandmother, Momma Henderson, owner of the local general store. Illustrating Henderson's stoicism in the face of racism, Engel uses the symbolism of a scale with Henderson as its fulcrum, Maya weighing down the pan on one side as jeering white girls are lifted on the other. The children's brief sojourn with their mother and her boyfriend is marred by his sexual abuse—the text alludes to "a visit to the hospital"—of young Maya; his shadow on the wall as Maya huddles on her bed will haunt readers. Back in Stamps Maya discovers her love of reading, powerfully depicted in an image that shows words swirling above her head. The narrative continues, Hegedus' spare words finding symbolic representation in Engel's oil paintings, as Maya moves through her difficult childhood to emerge as a rare talent with a young son to support, later to turn her talents to activism. The final page shows an African American girl reading and reflecting on Angelou's words; they swirl about her, closing the circle.
This deeply important story will foster further discussion around racism, sexual abuse, and courage. (timeline) (Picture book/biography. 7-12)
