The Challenge Factory discussion

Publication date: January 1, 1969
Literary Awards: Coretta Scott King Book Award for Author Honor (1971)

Synopsis
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 started this as an audiobook read by the author. It's very good!

I read this in my teens and still remember a great deal. It was beautiful, heartbreaking and made an impact. I won't reread since I am behind on the other banned books. I still have Giovanni’s Room, All Boys Aren't Blue and Tricks to read.

I hope those reading it find it as compelling and moving as I did.

Keli, I just finished listening to this as read by the author. What a treat. Her voice is mesmerizing. Her story is painful and sharp but there are moments of great hilarity mixed in. You rarely find an author able to express such an unvarnished view of reality, and so eloquently. I'm a huge fan. I will read and/or lusten to more by her (something of a challenge for me, as I don't generally read poetry).