Maya Angelou is one of the most beloved poets and memoirists alive today. Her autobiography I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings is among the most popular works of nonfiction in the high school curriculum, and her poems are almost equally famous and influential. Throughout her fascinating life, Angelou has worked as a writer, teacher, streetcar conductor, film and television producer, nightclub singer and dancer, and more. Critical Companion to Maya Angelou is a comprehensive and up-to-date resource for students interested in this prolific poet.