Book Detail

Life Doesn't Frighten Me

Publication Information
Author:  Angelou, Maya Illustrator:  Basquiat, Jean Michel
Title:  Life Doesn't Frighten Me Date:  1993
Publisher:  Stewart, Tabori & Chang City:  New York
ISBN, paperback:  1-55670-288-4 ISBN, hardback:  

Recommended audience:
ABE/ABLE:   Yes ESOL:  
Family:   Young Adult:  
Picture:   Yes

General Information:
Book Type(s):    poetry, biography and autobiography, easy reading

HSE Descriptor(s):   

Summary:
In this single poem, Angelou celebrates courage to face internal and external fears, the courage that grows out of a belief in ourselves. The contemporary art is bold and child-like but may have the power to scare children. The text is repetitive and easy to read, but the two biographies (of Angelou and Basquiat) that conclude the book, while both fascinating, are written at a much more difficult level.

Teaching Ideas:
Low-level readers could easily read and enjoy the poem. The book may spark discussions on contemporary art (the art may be controversial), on the match between the words and the art, and on the role fear plays in our lives. Website for Angelou: www.mayaangelou.com , for Basquiat:www.artchive.com/ftp_site.htm

Keywords: select any link below for a list of resources which also have that keyword
bullet Art and Photography > art
bullet Ethnic Groups > African-American
bullet Emotions-Personal Issues > emotions > fear
bullet History > time period > 20th Century
bullet Communities > urban
bullet Art and Photography > art > artists > Basquiat, Jean Michel
bullet Literature and Language > authors > Angelou, Maya
bullet Literature and Language > poetry


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