Sent by their mother to live with their devout, self-sufficient grandmother in a small Southern town, Maya and her brother, Bailey, endure the ache of abandonment and the prejudice of the local “powhitetrash.” 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 (“I met and fell in love with William Shakespeare”) will allow her to be free instead of imprisoned.
Poetic and powerful, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings will touch hearts and change minds for as long as people read.
Maya Angelou
The Slingshot is a bi-monthly digital downloadable product that features copywork and dictation passages from a specific novel. It is geared toward teens ages 15–18 and is the indispensable tool for Brave Writer parents who want to teach language arts in a natural, literature-bathed context.
This guide contains the following features:
How does the Slingshot fit into the Brave Writer complete language arts program? Learn more on our Getting Started page.
All products are digital and downloadable. All sales are FINAL. No refunds.
About the book
Sent by their mother to live with their devout, self-sufficient grandmother in a small Southern town, Maya and her brother, Bailey, endure the ache of abandonment and the prejudice of the local “powhitetrash.” 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 (“I met and fell in love with William Shakespeare”) will allow her to be free instead of imprisoned.
Poetic and powerful, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings will touch hearts and change minds for as long as people read.—Amazon
Purchase the I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings novel here.
This Slingshot is a part of the Contemporary Year-Long Slingshot program. Purchase here.
Find related books in the Brave Writer Book Shop: I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
The Slingshot guides teens in literary analysis of classic and contemporary literature.
Even if your teen has never analyzed literature before... We’ve got you—and your college-bound teens—covered!
Our year-long program includes five month-long lesson plans.
Each handbook is based on a novel and immerses your teen in the world of:
Each handbook contains:
Detailed notes to establish the context of the novel (book not included)
Four passages taken from the novel for copywork and dictation
Easy-to-follow instructions to teach writing elements found in the passages
Examination of grammar and punctuation
Additional notes that go beyond the passage
Nine "think piece" questions—for discussion and writing
Book club party ideas
Copywork passages on separate printable pages
Four-color design that looks gorgeous on tablets or printed at home
Start any time by selecting one of the lists below from the drop-down menu when you add to cart. Enjoy the five Slingshots in any order.
Classics:
A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë
Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass by Frederick Douglass
Animal Farm by George Orwell
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Contemporary:
The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd
Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer
Swing by Kwame Alexander
We encourage you to review the books yourself to be certain that you are comfortable with the content before giving them to your teens.
Delivery: After purchase, the Slingshots are available in your Brave Writer online account. Each handbook (40-50 pages) is a non-consumable PDF and can be used with multiple teens—no need to purchase additional copies.
Want a print copy? Go to the front of the line at the Homeschool Printing Company with a special Brave Writer offer. Order here.
Note: The Slingshot is one part of the College Prep Writers Bundle.
All products are digital and downloadable. All sales are FINAL. No refunds.
Find related books in the Brave Writer Book Shop:
This page contains Amazon affiliate links. When you click on those links to make purchases, Brave Writer receives compensation at no extra cost to you. Thank you!
More items in the 2024-2025 Slingshot Books (Classics & Contemporary collections) list:
