Rise!: From Caged Bird to Poet of the People, Maya Angelou
By Bethany Hegedus
Illustrated by Tonya Engel
Hardcover: $21.95
Ebook
View the Teacher's GuideWriter, 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 Dr. Angelou's grandson Colin 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 offers a powerful tribute to the written word.
Watch a behind-the-scenes look at the creation of Rise! with author Bethany Hegedus and illustrator Tonya Engel.
Check out this interview with author Bethany Hegedus on writing Rise!: From Caged Bird to Poet of the People, Maya Angelou.
About the Creators
Bethany Hegedus - Author
BETHANY HEGEDUS is an award-winning author of picture books and middle-grade novels, including Grandfather Gandhi and Alabama Spitfire. A former educator, she teaches widely and enjoys mentoring young writers. Hegedus is owner and creative director of the Writing Barn, a writing workshop and retreat center. She lives with her family in Austin, Texas. You can find her online at bethanyhegedus.com.
Tonya Engel
TONYA ENGEL is a self-taught painter and children's book illustrator, including the pictures for Our Lady of Guadalupe and the jacket art for Hurricane Child. Her work is inspired by southern folk artists. Early in her career she explored abstract painting, but soon began to concentrate on figurative form mixed with emotion and expressionistic narrative. This art style was the perfect complement to Maya Angelou's lyrical storytelling. Engel lives in Houston, Texas. You can see more of her work at tonyaengel.com.
About This Title
ISBN
Hardcover: 9781620145876
Awards
Best Children's Books of the Year
Bank Street College of Education
Starred Review
School Library Journal
Editor's Choice
Booklist
Notable Books in the Language Arts
National Council of Teachers of English
Amelia Bloomer Project - Feminist Task Force
American Library Association (ALA)
Notable Poetry List
National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE)
Guided Reading:
TLexile:
900LInterest Level:
Grades 4 - 12Reading Level:
Grades 5 - 6Themes
African/African American Interest, Art, Biography/Memoir, Childhood Experiences and Memories, Courage, Dance, Dreams & Aspirations, Heroism, History, Identity/Self Esteem/Confidence, Integrity/Honesty , Nonfiction, Overcoming Obstacles, Persistence/Grit, Poetry, United States History
Part of These Collections
