Maya Angelou Finds Her Voice

November 11, 2024
In this sensitively rendered biography of Maya Angelou (1928–2014), the Roops describe how, early in life, “Words whirled and stories spun in Maya’s head and off her lips.” After she experiences an attack at age eight, however, Angelou stops speaking to all but her brother Bailey, fearing that she’s to blame for her attacker’s death. Years later, Beulah Flowers, a customer at her mother’s store, loans the child some books and invites her to read them aloud, an act that offers Angelou “the key to unlock her voice, now finally free to rise up and inspire the world.” Denmon’s gossamer drawings of formerly caged birds foretell the figure’s literary journey, leading to a fanciful spread in which Angelou flies, floats, and glides along a sun-drenched tableau of words read from A Tale of Two Cities. Ages 4–8.

December 1, 2024
A beloved writer overcomes childhood trauma. When Maya Angelou was a little girl, she loved words: their sounds, their rhythms, the lyrics of songs. She especially adored Paul Laurence Dunbar's poetry. At age 8, she suffered a devastating assault--referred to here as an attack and "painful trauma"--and believed that her words were later responsible for the death of the person responsible. For years, she read and listened but spoke aloud only to her older brother, Bailey. Finally, a neighbor, Mrs. Beulah Flowers, insisted that Maya carry her groceries home. Mrs. Flowers read to Maya fromA Tale of Two Cities when the two reached her home. Maya admired Mrs. Flowers, and her words of encouragement and her "melodic voice" inspired her to begin speaking again. Mrs. Flowers also provided a book of poetry and asked Maya to memorize one to recite on her next visit. Connie and Peter Roop share a powerful episode from the early life of a heralded writer, speaker, and teacher. Their in-depth research--detailed in an authors' note--results in a telling that emphasizes the loving family and community that nourished Maya despite the harsh reality of segregated Arkansas. Denmon's elegantly constructed, earth-toned digital art supports this engaging story; the words in the illustrations speak to their importance to Maya. Uplifting narrative and images demonstrate how pain can be healed through love and literary expression.(Picture-book biography. 4-8)

COPYRIGHT(2024) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

December 1, 2024
Grades K-2 A childhood phase of selective mutism frames this biography of famed writer Maya Angelou that's equal parts message about Angelou's love of language and missive about one mentor's life-altering impact. "Maya Angelou loved words," write the Roops. Songs and poems delighted her and "stories spun in Maya's head and off her lips" until "one day, eight-year-old Maya stopped talking. She had been attacked." Maya's trauma-triggered silence seems to mount a challenge for Mrs. Beulah Flowers, and Maya's admiration for the poised community member beckons her back to speaking. Solemn and compassionate portraiture from Denmon takes a playfully kaleidoscopic turn in later, buttery spreads, in which Maya immerses herself in Mrs. Flowers' words. For a story so focused on communication, though, the Roops choose poor phrasing around the aftermath of Maya's assault and omit what could be helpful context surrounding Mrs. Flowers' motivations. Its narrower focus distinguishes this from the many, more encompassing biographies of the popular poet but readers may be left with questions about what the story doesn't say.

COPYRIGHT(2024) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Starred review from February 28, 2025

Gr 2-5-This gorgeous picture book biography tells the story of Maya Angelou's childhood growing up in Stamps, AR. Opening with the famous author's love of words, poetry, and rhyme, the Roops carefully handle Angelou's assault in an accessible way for young readers; that assault, as is widely known, led to "her decision to be mute." The book centers Angelou's relationship with her respected neighbor, Beaulah Flowers, who helped her find her voice again by reading A Tale of Two Cities together. Denmon's digitally rendered artwork is awash in greens, yellows, and soft brown hues. The graphic design cast of Angelou's words and the soft yet powerful imagery in the illustrations truly elevate the text. VERDICT A perfect pairing for classes that teach I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings or other works by Angelou, this picture book will also be at home in a read-aloud or elementary setting. Recommended purchase for all libraries.-Monisha Blair

Copyright 2025 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.