With the publication of "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" in 1969, Maya Angelou revolutionized poetry through her depiction of the personal lives of African American women. According to Hilton Als, up to that time, black female writers were unable to represent themselves as the central figures in the literature they wrote. This compelling volume provides a critical biography of Maya Angelou. Supporting social studies and biography assignments, this book will introduce readers to Angelou''s childhood, her various literary successes, and her immense impact on the world of poetry and culture.