A modern American classic, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings is Maya Angelou’s unforgettable debut memoir—a poignant coming-of-age story that has inspired and moved readers worldwide.

Sent to live with their grandmother in a small Southern town, young Maya and her brother, Bailey, endure the ache of abandonment and the harsh realities of racism. Later, in St. Louis, Maya faces a traumatic assault that changes the course of her life. But through hardship, she discovers strength in the kindness of others, the power of literature, and the unwavering resilience of the human spirit.

With lyrical prose and unflinching honesty, Angelou captures the pain of bigotry, the joy of self-discovery, and the enduring hope that allows us to rise above adversity. This is a story of survival, courage, and the liberating force of finding one’s voice.

Poetic, powerful, and deeply moving, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings is a timeless testament to the triumph of the human spirit.