Rise!: From Caged Bird to Poet of the People, Maya Angelou

by Bethany Hegedus, Tonya Engel (Illustrator)

Writer, activist, trolley car conductor, dancer, mother, and humanitarian--Maya Angelou's life was marked by transformation and perseverance. In this comprehensive picture-book biography geared towards older readers, Bethany Hegedus lyrically traces Maya's life from her early days in Stamps, Arkansas through her work as a freedom fighter to her triumphant rise as a poet of the people. A foreword by Angelou's grandson, Colin A. Johnson, describes how a love of literature and poetry helped young Maya overcome childhood trauma and turn adversity into triumph. Coupled with Tonya Engel's metaphorical and emotive illustrations, this biography beautifully conveys the heartaches and successes of this truly phenomenal woman, and is a powerful tribute to the written word.

Genres: Picture Books, Biography, Poetry, Nonfiction, Childrens, History, African American

48 pages, Hardcover

First published June 25, 2019

About the author

Bethany Hegedus’ children’s picture books include the award-winning Grandfather Gandhi and Be the Change: A Grandfather Gandhi Story, both co-written with Arun Gandhi (grandson of Mahatma Gandhi), as well Alabama Spitfire: The Story of Harper Lee and To Kill a Mockingbird, Rise!: From Caged Bird to Poet of the People: Dr. Maya Angelou, Hard Work But It’s Worth It: The Life of Jimmy Carter and this August Huddle Up! Cuddle Up!–an ode to family, football and bedtime. Her books have been included in numerous “best of” lists such as A Mighty Girl’s Best Books of 2018 and Kirkus’ Best Books of the Year. A former educator, Bethany is an in-demand keynote speaker, workshop leader, and mentor who speaks and teaches across the country about writing, creativity, resilience, and privilege. She holds an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from VCFA, is the Founder and Creative Director of The Writing Barn, a writing retreat and workshop space in Austin, Texas and is host of the popular Courage to Create podcast.

Reviews

[Ink_Drinker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although this audiobook is targeted for ages 7-10, I believe it is a great introduction to Maya Angelou for anybody that doesn’t know much about this amazing woman!

The audiobook shares Maya's life through a timeline of historical events. I never knew that besides being a notable author and influential activist, Maya was also a trolley car conductor, actor, dancer, mother and humanitarian among other things.

I listened to the audiobook, but I would recommend the hardcover because I feel I missed out on the “feel” of Maya shown through the pages of illustrations throughout the book. I imagine the artwork would add depth to the story for both children and adults alike.

Cherise Boothe, the narrator, had a beautiful poet’s voice and was the perfect voice to tell Maya Angelou’s life story.

I was truly inspired by Maya's powerful story of perseverance in the most difficult of situations. For such a quick listen (31 minutes), this audio book has an impactful punch!! A very moving biography for all that listen to the audiobook or read the hardcover.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful book about the famous author and civil rights worker. I loved it.

[Cheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Originally published in 1969, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings was the first of Maya Angelou’s books to be published. Rise shares her story for young readers as a tribute, and introduction to young readers not familiar with her books or her importance in literature and poetry, as well as in Civil Rights, along with being an inspiration to others.

This is beautifully narrated by Cherise Boothe, and shares condensed highlights of Angelou’s story, her life as a writer, but also her life in her many other occupations through her life, a poet, author, activist, humanitarian, mother, dancer, among others. While I listened to the audiobook, there is also a hardcover picture book available, which young readers would both enjoy and appreciate. Angelou’s love of literature and poetry, her story of how her love of both reading and writing helped her navigate her traumatic childhood and become the phenomenal woman she was. Listening to her story will inspire readers to be both kinder to others and learn how to extend that kindness to themselves, as well. The power of words can have a profound impact for good, a lesson it is never too early to learn.

Recommended for readers age 7 - 10 years


Published: 20 Aug 2020


Many thanks for the ARC provided by Publisher Spotlight Audio / Live Oak Media
#Rise #NetGalley

[Sassy Sarah Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars. This is a wonderful retelling of Maya Angelou's story. I listened to the audio production and it was fantastic! I would imagine reading and listening would offer a heightened experience for young readers and children. Review to come.

[Kris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gorgeous illustrations and lyrical text. I know that I enjoyed this introduction to Maya Angelou, and I think it may work for older kids, but the picture book format may imply that it is for kids too young to understand it. I appreciate the references to the sexual abuse and racism that Angelou experienced, but they are too vague for a younger child to understand on their own. So it would be fine as something to introduce a discussion of those subjects, but not as something they read and process alone.

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the illustrations.

[Lyzz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Title: Rise! From Caged Birds to Poet of the People, Maya Angelou
Author: Bethany Hegedus
Illustrator: Alex Marley
Narrator: Cherise Boothe
Genre: Children’s Biography
Pages: 48

Rise! From Caged Bird to Poet of the People, Maya Angelou, is a children’s biography targeted at ages 7 to 10. It tells the story of Maya Angelou from birth to her death. It is available in hardback and audiobook formats. I listened to this book. I am a bit confused on release dates for this book. The audiobook is available now and the hardback has not been published. However, there is a 2019 version that is available in all formats – maybe a previous version?

The audiobook tells the incredibly rich history of Maya Angelou’s life from her childhood in Stamps to writing in the Harlem Writers Guild (also frequented by James Baldwin, Langston Hughes and many others) to working for MLK to speaking at Clinton’s Inauguration in 1993. The places she went and the people she met throughout her life are amazing.

I am embarrassed to say that I did not know much about Maya Angelou before reading this book and this was an excellent introduction. After listening to this book, I went and read more about her biography and found the telling of this children’s book to be an accurate and age appropriate.

The narrator had a beautiful voice that makes the prose sound like poetry. Even though this was only 31 minutes, I feel like I have a vivid picture of her story.

I would recommend this audiobook for all readers. For adults, unless you are well-versed in her biography, this is a great introduction to her incredible life. (Sometimes I find reading children’s non-fiction helps give me a good intro to a topic, so I’m not as intimidated by adult non-fiction.) This book is also great for children to learn the biography of an important black poet and author.

ARC provided to me by Publisher Spotlight Audio, via Net Galley, in exchange for an honest review.

#Rise #NetGalley

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Would you like to know a bit more about Maya Angelou without reading her six autobiographical volumes? Rise!: From Caged Bird to Poet of the People, Maya Angelou is a poetical, beautiful way to get the broad brushstrokes of this phenomenal woman’s life. The artwork is positively breathtaking; the words pure poetry.

The major points of Angelou’s life are mentioned, including her sexual abuse; the art panels on these two pages were much darker in color than the rest of the book. I feel like the abuse was handled tastefully and with tremendous care: offering a mirror to any child looking for “someone like me” while remaining vague enough to cater to the age 7-10 range the book was marketed towards. If you would like specifics of the section: Within the words of the story, it is referred to “Maya, left alone with Mr. Freeman, is anything by free. After a visit to the hospital, Maya calls out Mr. Freeman’s name as the one who hurt her.” and then mentions that, after Mr. Freeman is found “crumpled behind the slaughterhouse” Maya fears it was her words that “struck him dead.”

The overall story and the accompanying artwork are uplifting, sharing the power of this incredible woman and her words with which we are left.

The volume includes a foreword by Angelou’s grandson, timeline of Angelou’s life, note from the author, resources for sexual abuse, selected bibliography, and quotation sources.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful book. I don't usually do audiobooks with my kids (I like to do read alouds though), I couldn't pass this one up. Maya Angelou truly is a phenomenal woman who I wanted my kids to hear about. The audio is done beautifully. I love the sound effects in the background. I love that when Angelou's poetry is talked about, a brief montage of her voice reading lines of her poetry are included in the sounds. And I loved the timeline at the end of the book. Very well done audio.
The one part of the book that I felt was confusing though, was the way the sexual assault in her childhood was described....or really not described. Don't get me wrong. I certainly don't believe it should have been DESCRIBED in a children's book. But the wording used was confusing. The man made her not feel free. Then he was dead and she thought her voice killed him.
From a child's perspective, I didn't feel like it said enough about what it was that he did. I mean, did he hurt her, did he treat her meanly, did he do something to her against her will. These simple explanations would have sufficed without being confusing to a child.
That's really my only critique though. It was done very well.

This is a review of the audiobook.

[M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a lovely biography, beautifully illustrated, written for grade schoolers. For those who don't know much about Maya Angelou, this is a good introduction to her amazing life. She life was like a many colored quilt with jobs like trolley car conductor, burger flipper, entertainer, and civil rights activist and she lived in Egypt and in Ghana as well as different cities in the United States. Ultimately she joined the Harlem Writers' Guild and started writing.
While written for elementary school aged children, the book will appeal to most older children and adults. Pay particular attention to the interactions between the illustrations and the language--those interconnections will provide a much richer experience in reading the book.

[Miya (severe pain struggles, slower at the moment) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such an amazing tribute to Maya Angelou. I like how the book is informative, but still appropriate and entertaining for younger readers. I listened to the audio version, but I would love to see the illustrations that went with the story. I did feel like it abruptly ended, but maybe that was just because I was enjoying it so much I wanted more. I would recommend this for home libraries, schools, and any place that has young readers. More books like this please! Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Abby Johnson]

This picture book biography of Maya Angelou gives a kid-friendly overview of the poet, actress, memoirist, singer, dancer, activist's life. This would be a great primer for kids not mature enough to read Angelou's own writings about her life or scaffolding to introduce Angelou before reading I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. Back matter includes an extensive timeline (did you realize that Maya Angelou was in the 1977 Roots?!).

[Claudio Rodrigo · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5 stars

Thanks to Netgalley and Publisher Spotlight Audio for providing this audiobook-arc!

I knew little to no information about Maya prior to me listening to the audiobook and I felt like it was very effective despite being a picture book in itself. Definitely reccomend for anybody interested in a quick informational read!

[Rebekah Manley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous! I'll never forget getting to hear Maya Angelou speak for a high school graduation gift along with my twin sister, Rachel. I wish I could sit down and have a conversation with Maya Angelou! This was a sweet way to be connected to her.

[Momo · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5 Great!

I think I would have preferred to read this physically instead of listening to the audio book but this was still a great book.

Disclaimer: I read/listened to this in advance on Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Shiloah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book and well explained biography without being too depressing. Rise Up!

[Luz · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Rise" is a short book that tells Maya Angelou's life story beautifully and with lots of details.

[Nicole Devens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rise! From a Caged Bird to Poet of the People tells the story of Maya Angelou using rhythm and verse to make it more accessible to older children. Touching on the major events that shaped Maya's life, students reading this book can see her suffering and her strength through adversity.
As a teacher, I appreciated that this book did not shy away from the suffering Angelou suffered as a child and an adult, but rather approached these struggles in a way that upper elementary students can engage with.
This book would be a great addition to any upper elementary or middle school classroom library. It could be a great example of storytelling through poetry, Black History Month or Women's History Month texts.

[Deana Metzke · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a wonderfully written picture book, that made me want to reread her autobiography and learn more about Ms. Angelou. I love picture books that are written for older students, and I think this is one of those books.

[Tina Hoggatt · Rating 4 out of 5]

The life, including childhood, of poet Maya Angelou, told in lyrical text.

[Stephanie Bange · Rating 5 out of 5]

In honor of the 50th Anniversary of Angelou's classic memoir I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, this picture book biography celebrates the life of this amazing poet.

Largely abandoned by her mother, Maya and her brother are raised by Momma Henderson in Stamps, Arkansas. Quiet as a child because of the many abuses experienced, Angelou learned to love reading. As a result of growing racial tensions, the two children are sent to live with their mother in San Francisco, where a whole new world of music and dance opens up to her. As an adult (and mother), she settles in New York, in Harlem, where she hones her writing skills and becomes active in the Civil Rights movement. She digs deep from within to write her memoir and begins to receive the accolades due this incredible woman of strength and resilience.

The book opens with a foreward by Angelou's grandson who is carrying on her life work. It is powerful and inspiring. The free verse text by Bethany Hegedus is strong and carries a punch. To make this biography appropriate for younger readers, she intimates, but never gives graphic detail, about several difficult life experiences Angelou endured. Tonya Engel's acrylic and oil artwork is equally strong and well-matched to the text. It is bold and bright, with outstanding imagery (ex. Momma Henderson depicted with feet appearing to be roots of a tree and taller than anyone else around; the "hustle" in Maya's mother's boyfriend's expression; Maya curled into an insecure little ball in her bedroom, with the boyfriend's shadow cast on the bedroom wall). The illustration showing Maya saying "Still, I Rise!" in a mic is incredible -- the likeness of Maya's adult face and images she remembered written all over her dress.

Five pages of backmatter include a quote from Angelou, a timeline of her life and several b&w and color photos of Angelou at various stages of her life, a note from the author with suggestions of places to seek help for people affected by sexual violence, a selected bibliography (mostly adult materials), and a list of sources for quotations in the story.

This would be tremendous to share with a group of high school students at the beginning of a study of the works of Angelou, modern American writers, or Civil Rights. Additionally, counselors might find this a very useful tool to start a conversation when working with a child who has been affected by sexual violence.

Highly Recommended for grades 6-12.

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rise! From Caged Bird to Poet of the People, Maya Angelou by Bethany Hegedus, illustrated by Tonya Engel PICTURE BOOK BIOGRAPHY Lee and Low, 2019. $21. 9781620145876

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3), EL - ADVISABLE MS - ESSENTIAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

As a child Maya Angelou was shuttled between her mother and her grandmother. She learned to love the power of words, and found strength in them. She was a dancer, a trolley car conductor, a mother, and a performer. She was also an activist, and the poet of the people.

Oh how I love picture book biographies. Rise! is especially poignant. Maya Angelou's life is condensed, but beautifully retold in Bethany Hegedus' lyrical poetry. The illustrations are beautiful, full page renderings full of shadow, light, and hope which complement the text - the reader with background knowledge will notice meaningful things in the illustrations. A great springboard for further study of Angelou or for an introduction to the poet for children too young to read her more mature memoirs. Includes an amazing timeline, photographs, a bibliography and websites for further information.

Lisa Librarian
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2020...

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an extremely well done picture book biography in both text and illustrations, it presents Maya’s difficult early childhood with sensitivity, but does not omit the facts. This title is lyrical in its text just as Maya’s writings were. I was captivated by the final four double page spreads and texts as they represented so well Maya’s life and what it stood for and who the people were that were her anchors. An outstanding title.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

A captivating version of the life of Maya Angelou. Beautiful tale that shows the strength, power, and resilience of an amazing woman. Highly recommend for young readers (and listeners) through the more seasoned reader (and ears.)

My utmost gratitude to NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Ashley Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

A poetic biography of Maya Angelou featuring powerfully painted illustrations. An absolutely beautiful tribute to a woman whose love of language and courageous spirit lifted her to astounding heights.

[Carmen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hegedus' lyrical storytelling reels the reader into the fabric of the story and Maya's life. With each read, you discover something new.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many youngsters have drawn inspiration and hope from the example of Maya Angelou, that incredible poet whose words somehow manage to express emotions that are hard to describe. This picture book describes her formative years, the challenges she faced, and her love for words. As the book jacket notes, surviving is one thing, but rising through the ashes and thriving is quite another. Her story reminds readers that they do not have to let their circumstances define them but can rise past them and reach whatever dreams they have in mind. Supported by acrylic underpainting and oils, the text is lyrical and soars across every page. Clearly, the author is an admirer of her subject and her incredible resilience. One of my favorite images is the one of Momma Henderson, Maya's grandmother, who owns a store in Stamps, Arkansas, and is depicted as firmly rooted in the Southern soil, strong, stalwart, proud, and not going anywhere other than where she is planted. The author does not stint in telling Maya's story, discussing her sexual assault and subsequent feelings of guilt, her encounters with racism and lynching, and her travels abroad as well as her work in the civil rights movement. The temptation to remain silent or to retreat from the world must have been strong after the assassinations of Malcolm X and Martin Luther King, Jr., but still, she spoke and wrote. The back matter includes photographs of Maya and a timeline featuring important moments in this most phenomenal of all women. And don't we miss her voice still? This is an encouraging, honest, and flattering tribute to someone whose words spoke for others. It's clear that both author and illustrator did plenty of research in creating this book. Since many classes read I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, this picture book biography could serve as an excellent resource and accompaniment.

[Ben Truong · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rise!: From Caged Bird to Poet of the People, Maya Angelou is a children's picture book written by Bethany Hegedus and illustrated by Tonya Engel. This deeply important biographical picture book of Maya Angelou will foster further discussion around racism, sexual abuse, and courage.

March, at least in my part of the world is Women's History Month, which I plan to read one children's book, particularly a biography, which pertains to the subject everyday this month. Therefore, I thought that this book would be apropos for today.

Maya Angelou was an American poet, singer, memoirist, and civil rights activist. She published seven autobiographies, three books of essays, several books of poetry, and is credited with a list of plays, movies, and television shows spanning over fifty years.

Hegedus' text is rather simplistic, straightforward, and informative. Rhythmic words renders a rich snapshot of Angelou’s remarkable rise from a little girl riding a train to a revered poet invoking words to welcome a new president in Washington, D.C. 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.

The premise of the book is rather straightforward. Angelou's 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 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.

All in all, Rise!: From Caged Bird to Poet of the People, Maya Angelou is a wonderful biological picture book about Maya Angelou.

[Kim Tyo-Dickerson · Rating 5 out of 5]

My boy, 12-years-old, reading on the couch. Asking questions:

"White girls call her Momma Henderson 'Annie'. This is about white power, right?" I agree and we talk about owning property as Black Americans, how careful Momma had to be to stay safe and keep her business going. Her clenched fists tell us that she did this to survive, not because it was OK with her. Here is the inspiring vision of Momma Henderson as a mighty tree rooted in the earth:



Image by Tonya Engel from Rise! From Caged Bird to Poet of the People, Maya Angelou

"What's mute mean? It says that she [Maya] went to the hospital after Mr. Freeman hurt her and became mute. What did he do? How old was she?" Stunned silence when I tell him she was 7 1/2-years-old. And how he hurt her. And that she blamed her voice for his death.

Then,

"He spends only one night in jail? It should have been years! Then someone killed him? Why did Maya blame herself?" I say that small children create reasons for grown-up's behaviors when they can't understand the motivations or actions of others. And becoming mute was a stunned, survival and stress response to trauma. Perhaps a form of PTSD.

Then,

More reading.

Then,



Recommended for readers ages 10+. Included in my Upper School Library collection. Read in honor of Angelou's work and National Poetry Month.

This video allows Angelou's own, reclaimed voice to echo in the words and illustrations in this picture book biography:

MAYA ANGELOU THE MOST BANNED AUTHOR IN THE U.S.

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Originally posted on my blog: Nonstop Reader.

Rise! is a beautifully expressive and age appropriate short biography of Poet Laureate Maya Angelou by author/educator Bethany Hegedus. Released 20th Aug 2021 by Live Oak Media, it's currently available in audiobook format and is in pre-release for print format.

Aimed at elementary school readers (~7-10 years), the author does a really good job of presenting the often tragic realities of young Maya's life. Dr. Angelou certainly rose above the problems and constraints of her early life, but her upbringing left indelible marks and shaped the person she became. Ms. Hegedus doesn't shy away from the truth, but does so in an age appropriate and sensitive way.

The audiobook has a run time of 30 minutes, 59 seconds and includes an enhanced soundtrack with sound effects like chickens, cable-car bells in San Francisco, and background speech and voices. It's beautifully and capably narrated by Cherise Boothe. Her voice is rich and warm. She manages to imbue the different characters' voices with individuality, and I had no at all trouble following along.

This would be a superlative choice for public or school library acquisition, classroom use, or home library. Although it's clearly aimed at younger readers, it would be a good choice for listeners of all ages who wish to learn about Dr. Angelou's life.

Five stars for the book, five for the voicework. Stellar.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.