I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou

This memoir recounts the early years of an African-American girl's life, focusing on her experiences with racism and trauma in the South during the 1930s. Despite the hardships she faces, including sexual abuse, she learns to rise above her circumstances through strength of character and a love of literature. Her journey from victim to survivor and her transformation into a young woman who respects herself is a testament to the human capacity to overcome adversity.

The 149th greatest book of all time

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Total Points: 1700

Since this book was first published in 1969, there is a penalty of 0%. The age adjusted score is 1700.0.

This is to prevent newer books from reaching super high on the ranked list of the greatest books of all time. The greatest books should also stand the test of time.