Watson, 
Renée. Maya’s Song. Bryan Collier, Illustrator. HarperCollins, 09/2022. [42][+4] pp. Poetry.
GRADES 2 – 6. OUTSTANDING. Trade $19.99. 978-0-06-287158-9.
Author and poet Renée Watson presents
the life of the incomparable poet, storyteller, and activist Maya Angelou through a series of free-verse
poems accompanied by Brian Collier’s layered collage and watercolor illustrations. The poems
chronologically cover many of the major events in Angelou’s life, including the sexual abuse perpetrated
on her as a child, causing her five-year silence. Watson skillfully presents these violent events in
language accessible to young readers. Using imagery from I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, Collier
illustrates the poem “Caged In” by placing deep red bars over Maya’s face and hands—hands which are
holding an almost imperceptible bird. The illustrator’s note explains how he used a gradually brightening
color palette as Maya regains her voice and creates a life of writing, song, dance, travel, and civil rights
activism. Oddly, one illustration doesn’t match the text: Maya and her beloved older brother, Bailey,
were sent by their divorcing parents to Arkansas by train when they were three and four to live with
their grandmother. The illustration portrays tall children (chest high to the porter) and thus dilutes the
shocking act of sending children barely out of babyhood alone on a multi-day journey. The final poem,
“Good Morning,” portrays Angelou reciting her inaugural poem at Bill Clinton’s 1993 inauguration—the
first woman, and the first Black person ever given that honor. A timeline includes the 2022
announcement that Angelou will become the first Black woman to appear on a U.S. quarter. This book is
a beautiful tribute to an unforgettable woman whose writings, resilience, and courage will forever
continue to inspire. This book contains California specific content.
Cindy Gullikson, Joaquin Miller School, Oakland Unified School District