I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings is a coming-of-age story autobiography about the early years of American writer and poet Maya Angelou. The book illustrates how strength of character and a love of literature can help overcome racism and trauma. Maya and her brother, Bailey were sent by their mother to live with their grandmother in a small Southern town. Maya and Bailey are haunted by their parents' abandonment and overt racism by white neighbors.

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 will allow her to be free instead of imprisoned.