Maya Angelou was renowned for her vast array of original works – both in books and poetry. It is estimated that she wrote over 36 books, likely more, including 7 autobiographies, and numerous poem anthologies throughout her lifetime. To answer the question of how many books and poems did Maya Angelou write, it is essential to have a closer look at the depth and variety of her body of work.
Throughout her lifetime, Maya Angelou wrote seven autobiographies, with her inaugural work, I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings, being published in 1969 and her last work, Mom & Me & Mom, being published posthumously in 2013. Her autobiographies had a particular focus on her own experiences, as well as trying to encourage readers to take control of their own destiny and to reject victim mentality. Follow up titles include Gather Together in My Name, Singin’ and Swingin’ and Gettin’ Merry Like Christmas, All God’s Children Need Travelling Shoes and A Song Flung Up to Heaven.
In the realm of books, Angelou wrote a variety of works that covered topics such as civil rights, nonviolence and accentuating female power – all of which had very strong and emotive undertones that linger with her readers. Some of her books include Even The Stars Look Lonesome, Wouldn’t Take Nothing For My Journey Now, I Shall Not Be Moved and The Heart of a Woman, to name a few.
Maya Angelou was also a prolific poet, with her poetry often reflecting her struggles with racism, prejudice and identity. Notable collections of poetry include I Shall Not Be Moved, Phenomenal Women, Still I Rise and Just Give Me a Cool Drink of Water ‘Fore I Diiie – all of which explore the complexity of being part of a marginalised group. Furthermore, her body of work includes several plays, musicals, essays, television and movie scripts.
To summarise, Maya Angelou was an incredibly productive and talented writer. She left us with a bountiful body of work that ranged from seven autobiographies to 36 books and numerous collections of poetry, plays and scripts – all of which reflect her unique perspective as an African American woman.
Civil Rights and Nonviolence
Maya Angelou wrote several books, such as A Brave and Startling Truth and I Shall Not Be Moved, that aimed to shed light on the ills of society and advocated for civil rights and nonviolence. A Brave and Startling Truth, written in 1995, is particularly evocative, calling out the evil that exists in the world, yet encouraging readers to strive for a more peaceful future.
In I Shall Not Be Moved, written in 1990, Angelou uses a blend of biographical accounts and historical examples to describe how systemic racism has affected Black people throughout history and how peaceful resistance is an essential component for fighting for civil rights. Her words evoke a range of emotions and have an enduring resonance that resonate with readers.
The power of Maya Angelou’s books lies in her ability to discuss difficult topics without judgement, demonstrating a deep understanding of inequality, yet encouraging readers to seek out solutions – even in the darkest of times. Though Angelou wrote many books on civil rights and nonviolence, A Brave and Startling Truth and I Shall Not Be Moved are essential reads that are sure to have a lasting impact on any reader.
Poetry Anthologies
In addition to writing books, Maya Angelou was a prolific poet, with her poems often reflecting on her experiences with racism, prejudice and identity. Her published collections of poetry include I Shall Not Be Moved, Phenomenal Women, Still I Rise and Just Give Me a Cool Drink of Water ‘Fore I Diiie. These poetry anthologies are deeply moving and often tackles themes such as loss and hope, while also celebrating the power of African American women.
A particular poem which resonates with many readers is Phenomenal Women. This poem celebrates the strength and resilience of Black women, particularly those faced with oppression. The poem is empowering, encouraging readers to take pride in their own identity and the identity of Black women at large.
In Just Give Me a Cool Drink of Water ‘Fore I Diiie, Angelou talks about loss and grief, depicting the many emotions a person can experience when faced with death. This poem speaks to readers in a profound way, providing a space for people to express their own emotions about grief, as well as offering words of comfort and optimism.
Finally, in Still I Rise, Angelou perfectly captures the feeling of resilience that comes with being marginalised. In the poem, she speaks truth to the power of the oppressors and demonstrates her unwavering commitment to fight back and remain strong despite oppression. Furthermore, Angelou encourages readers not to be derailed by negativity but to strive to create a better reality.
Plays, Musicals and Scripts
In addition to her books and poetry anthologies, Maya Angelou has written and composed numerous plays and musicals, as well as contributing to many scripts. Her plays often highlight the power of hope, as well as celebrating friendships, families and the many cultures of the African diaspora. She also composed music for some of these plays and produced an array of television and movie scripts.
Notably, Angelou wrote a play with Rosa Guy called Cabaret for Freedom which focuses on young women in the 1960s civil rights movement, with the characters representing different ethnicities and personal narratives. The play is framed with music and dance, as well as powerful monologues delivered by the characters.
Angelou also wrote a play with Jo Dudley, All Day Long, which was produced by the Billie Holiday Theatre in 1999. This play was inspired by the friendship between two African American women, one of whom is a successful artist and the other, a housewife. All Day Long strips away the glamour of fame and reveals the truth about what it means to be an African American woman.
Angelou’s contributions to movie and television scripts have included co-screenwriting Georgia, Georgia with Kapelos and Gibson, editing script The Greatest and producing Roots in 1977, all of which magnify her astute storytelling and incisive intellect. Her work in this area demonstrates her commitment to highlight the struggles of Black people, as well as emphasising the power of love, friendship and resilience.
Childrens Books
Passionate about inspiring young people, Maya Angelou wrote five children’s books – My Painted House, My Friendly Chicken and Me, Life Doesn’t Frighten Me, Maya’s World: Angels & Amelia and Kofi & His Magic. Each of these books captures Angelou’s iconic language and vivid imagery while encouraging younger readers to pursue their dreams, explore the world around them and remain resilient in the face of adversity.
My Painted House, My Friendly Chicken and Me tells the story of a seven-year-old South African girl, who lives on a farm filled with bright colorful chickens. This book is full of vibrant poems, as well as an intriguing story that aims to educate children on the unique culture, music and cuisine of South Africa. Similarly, Kofi & His Magic aims to teach children about the customs and cultures of West Africa. The story follows Kofi, as he embarks on a magical journey and explores Ghana, discovering its vibrant culture and meeting a range of friendly characters.
Life Doesn’t Frighten Me, which was originally a poem, is written as an empowering story of a young girl’s bravery in the face of adversity. The story poetically proclaims that even though life may seem scary, we should relish in the power of resilience. Whereas, Maya’s World: Angels & Amelia focuses on two lifelong friends, Amelia and Angel, who embark on an adventurous journey to Peru. This story celebrates the friendship between the two girls, teaching readers to appreciate people of different backgrounds.
In short, Maya Angelou left us with an awe-inspiring body of work for children, which provided readers with an opportunity to learn about cultures from across the world, as well as being inspired to be brave and explore their dreams.
Legacy of Maya Angelou
It is clear that Maya Angelou was an incredibly thoughtful and influential writer. Through her myriad of works, she was able to reach a broad audience, both young and old. Her work centred on her experiences as an African American woman, yet was accessible to all and filled with wisdom, compassion and empowerment.
Her commitment to civic activism, civil rights, ending prejudice and creating a better future will live on in her work, which will remain relevant to readers in the generations to come. In her books, plays, scripts and poetry anthologies, Angelou utilised her incredible gift of language to create works that were both powerful and moving.
Throughout her lifetime and beyond, Maya Angelou changed the world through her writing. Her words evoked powerful emotions that linger in the minds of readers. By writing books and poetry anthologies that tackled difficult topics, such as civil rights and prejudice, Angelou gave a voice to those who are marginalised. In sum, she wrote books, plays and scripts that showed hope, resilience and progress, leaving us with a vast array of timeless works.
