I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
by Angelou, Maya
Titled after a stanza from Paul Laurence Dunbar’s poem
“Sympathy,” I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings is the first of a series of seven autobiographical
novels by African-American poet and writer Maya Angelou. Personally deeply
involved and affected by the civil rights movement, the volume explores racism
and identity in her early life.
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings was nominated for the National
Book Award in 1970. However, due to its depiction of controversial subjects
such as sexuality, lesbianism and rape, the use of the novel in classrooms has
been frequently challenged.
First edition identification
Random House published the first edition of the novel in
1969. Markings for a first edition are characteristic of the publisher with the
words "First Edition" clearly stated on the copyright page. The first
issue also has a red-stained top edge.
Other Collectible or Notable Editions
In 1999, Easton Press published a special limited edition of
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings in full leather with gold accents, silk end
papers, and a ribbon marker.
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Available Copies
I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings.
by Angelou, Maya
- Seller
- Raptis Rare Books
- Published
- 1969
- Item Price
-
$3,800.00
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New York: Random House, 1969. First edition of Angelou's critically acclaimed first book. Octavo, original first issue book, with the top edge stained red. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, "Roger Stephens, Joy! Maya Angelou." Fine in a fine dust jacket. Jacket design by Janet Halverson. An exceptional example. "This testimony from a black… Read more
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$3,800.00
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
by Angelou, Maya
- Seller
- Burnside Rare Books, ABAA
- Published
- 1969
- Condition
- Near Fine
- Edition
- First Edition
- Item Price
-
$3,500.00
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Description:
New York: Random House, 1969. First Edition. Near Fine/Near Fine. First edition, first printing. First issue with red topstain. Signed by Maya Angelou and inscribed to a former owner on the front free endpaper. Bound in publisher's original black cloth stamped in gilt and metallic red. Near Fine with light foxing to textblock edge, browning to endsheets and… Read more
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$3,500.00
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
by Angelou, Maya
- Seller
- Winthrop and Wales, LLC
- Published
- 1969
- Condition
- BOOK NEAR FINE
- Edition
- 1st Edition
- Item Price
-
$1,195.00
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Description:
New York: Random House, 1969. 1st Edition. Hard Cover. BOOK NEAR FINE/JACKET VERY GOOD+. 8vo - over 7¾"" - 9¾"" tall. Signed by Author. SIGNED, DATED, INSCRIBED ""JOY"" BY THE AUTHOR on library card attached to the book. AN EXTREMELY CLEAN, ATTRACTIVE COPY WITH A BRIGHT DUSTJACKET IN NEW, GLOSSY BRODART. ANGELOU HAS SIGNED, DATED… Read more
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$1,195.00
I KNOW WHY THE CAGED BIRD SINGS
by Angelou, Maya
- Seller
- VAGABOND BOOKS
- Published
- 1969
- Condition
- Fine
- Edition
- FIRST
- Item Price
-
$1,000.00
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Description:
RANDOM, 1969. Book. Fine. Hardcover. Signed by Author(s). FIRST. A FINE FIRST EDITION IN FINE DJ First edition, First printing, first state. original first issue book, with the top edge stained red. TIPPED IN SIGNATURE WITH COMPLIMENTARY CARD..
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$1,000.00
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
by Angelou, Maya
- Seller
- Ground Zero Books, Ltd.
- Published
- 2015
- Condition
- Very good
- Edition
- Signed Collector's Edition
- Item Price
-
$975.00
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Description:
The Easton Press, 2015. Signed Collector's Edition. Leather bound and boxed. Very good. [8], 281, [1] pages. Boxed, With Certificate of Authenticity laid in, signed by Maya Angelou and witnessed by Mildred Garris on 2/16/99. Also signed by Roy S. Pfeil, Publisher. Signed on a special signature page by Maya Angelou with the sentiment Joy!. Maya Angelou (born… Read more
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$975.00
I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings -- Signed Second Printing
by Angelou, Maya
- Seller
- Magus Books
- Published
- 1969
- Condition
- Near Fine
- Edition
- 1st Edition 2nd Printing
- Item Price
-
$950.00
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Description:
New York: Random House, 1969. 1st Edition 2nd Printing. Hardcover. Near Fine/Near Fine. Second printing with 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 number line on copyright page but lacking the statement of "First Edition." Near-fine with a trace of shelf wear, otherwise bright and clean inside and out. In a near-fine dust jacket ($5.95… Read more
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$950.00
I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings
by Angelou, Maya
- Seller
- Bookbid Rare Books
- Published
- 2013
- Condition
- Fine
- Edition
- Limited Edition
- Item Price
-
$900.00
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Easton Press, 2013. Limited Edition. Hardcover. Fine. Offered here in an exclusive leather-bound, slipcased edition, bearing the signature of the late Presidential Medal of Freedom winning author is Angelou's first and most successful autobiography. Bound in fine genuine leather sealed in publisher's shrink wrap, accented with 22k gold lettering and decorations. Page ends are gilded in 22k gold.… Read more
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$900.00
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
by Angelou, Maya
- Seller
- Carpetbagger Books, IOBA
- Published
- 1969
- Condition
- Near Fine
- Edition
- First Edition
- Item Price
-
$756.00
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Description:
New York: Random House, 1969. First Edition. Hardcover. Near Fine/Near Fine. First Issue. Near Fine in a Near Fine jacket, a couple small closed tears, faded at the spine. Black cloth with gold and red gilt lettering and rules on the spine and front board. Square and firmly bound with a red top stain, bookplate on the front… Read more
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$756.00
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
by Angelou, Maya
- Seller
- Burnside Rare Books, ABAA
- Published
- 1969
- Edition
- First Edition
- Item Price
-
$750.00
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New York: Random House, 1969. First Edition. First edition, first printing, first issue. [vi], 281, [1] pp. Bound in publisher's black cloth stamped in gilt with publisher's imprint in metallic red; with red topstain. Slight lean, tiny smudge on page facing title page, else Fine in a bright, unclipped dust jacket with faint staining to verso near foot. An… Read more
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$750.00
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
by Angelou, Maya (Marguerite Annie Johnson)
- Seller
- Evening Star Books
- Published
- 1969
- Condition
- Very Good+
- Edition
- First edition
- Item Price
-
$700.00
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Description:
New York: Random House [1969], 1969. First edition. Hardcover. Very Good+/Near Fine. 8vo. [9], 4-281, [1] pp. Black cloth with gold lettering on the front board and spine; red topstain. Price of $5.95 on the front flap of the dust jacket. Ahearn, Collected Books (4th edition), 75. Angelou's first book, an autobiography detailing her life from her earliest… Read more
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$700.00
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings [Signed, Full Leather Hardcover Binding with Gilt]
by Angelou, Maya
- Seller
- R. Siedlecki Vintage Books
- Published
- 1999
- Condition
- Fine
- Item Price
-
$675.95
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Norfolk, Connecticut: The Easton Press, 1999. [1999] FULL GENUINE LEATHER FINE BINDING HARDCOVER published in 1999 by the high-quality publisher Easton Press -- NOT THE REGULAR TRADE CLOTH BINDING, CHEAPER COMPOSITE LEATHER, SIMULATED LEATHER, FACSIMILE, OR BOOK PRINTED ON-DEMAND. SIGNED BY MAYA ANGELOU ON THE SPECIAL SIGNED PAGE; SHE ALSO SIGNED AND DATED THE CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY SLIP LAID IN.… Read more
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$675.95
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (Easton Press Signed Edition)
by Maya Angelou
- Seller
- ThriftBooks
- Published
- 2019
- Condition
- Good
- Item Price
-
$560.00
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Description:
Easton Press, 2019. Leather Bound. Good. Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.SIGNED by the author. Shelf and handling wear to cover and binding, with general signs of previous use. This is a 1999 printing signed by Maya Angelou. Boards betray fading and nicks… Read more
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$560.00
I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings
by Angelou, Maya
- Seller
- Maxwell's House of Books
- Published
- 1999
- Condition
- Very Good
- Edition
- Limited Edition
- Item Price
-
$550.00
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The Easton Press. A beautiful crisp clean leather bound hardcover copy in near fine condition, Easton press bookplate without name on front endpaper and faintly bumped upper corners. Signed by author. . Very Good. Hardcover. Limited Edition. 1999.
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$550.00
I Know why the Caged Bird Sings
by Angelou, Maya
- Seller
- T. A. Borden Books
- Published
- 1969
- Condition
- Fine in Fine dust jacket
- Edition
- First Edition
- Item Price
-
$500.00
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New York: Random House. Fine in Fine dust jacket. 1969. First Edition. Hardcover. 1st state, $5.95 on flap; top edge red; tiny edge tear on jacket else fine; 8vo 8" - 9" tall; 281 pages .
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$500.00
I Know why the Caged Bird Sings (Signed)
by Angelou, Maya
- Seller
- Robert's Bookshop
- Published
- 1999
- Condition
- Fine with No dust jacket as issued
- Edition
- Limited Edition
- Item Price
-
$500.00
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Norwalk, CT: The Easton Press. Fine with No dust jacket as issued. 1999. Limited Edition. Hardcover. Small 4to 9" - 11" tall; 281 pages .
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$500.00
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
by Angelou, Maya
- Seller
- Burnside Rare Books, ABAA
- Published
- 1969
- Edition
- First Edition
- Item Price
-
$400.00
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Description:
New York: Random House, 1969. First Edition. First edition, first printing, first issue. [vi], 281, [1] pp. Bound in publisher's black cloth stamped in gilt with publisher's imprint in metallic red; with red topstain. Very Good with former owner's inkless emboss to front free endpaper, small dampstain to top edge at prelims,small coffee stain to copyright page; in a… Read more
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$400.00
I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings
by Angelou Maya
- Seller
- Monarchy books
- Published
- 1969
- Condition
- Good
- Edition
- First Edition
- Item Price
-
$218.40
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Description:
New York: Random House, 1969. First Edition. Hardcover. Good/Good. Price Clipped, Clean With No Remainder Mark Or Gift Inscription. The Book Is Good Condition. Price Clipped. Inscription At The 1St End Paper. Random House 1St Printing Stated At The Copy Right Page. Creased- We can ship from Canada and the USA, based on your address. Specializing in academic,… Read more
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$218.40
I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings
by Angelou, Maya
- Seller
- BookTown USA
- Published
- 1969
- Condition
- Good
- Edition
- 1st Edition
- Item Price
-
$192.00 $163.20Save $28.80!
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New York: Random House , 1969. Book. Good. Hardcover. 1st Edition. Numberline (2-9) Copyright 1969 Indicates Random House 2Nd Printing Of First Edition At This Time. (Small Tear At Bottom Of Copyright Page And Tiny Hole Near Numberline) Still Clear And Readable. Hard Cover: Good. Black Cloth Wrapped Boards With Gilt Initials On Front And Title On … Read more
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$192.00
$163.20
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I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
by Maya Angelou
- Seller
- Bonita
- Condition
- Good
- ISBN
- 9780307879394
- Item Price
-
$135.25
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Audio CD. Good. Access codes and supplements are not guaranteed with used items.
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I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
by Angelou, Maya
- Seller
- Bonita
- Condition
- Good
- ISBN
- 9780375420382
- Item Price
-
$114.88
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audioCD. Good. Access codes and supplements are not guaranteed with used items.
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$114.88
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
by Angelou, Maya
- Seller
- Russian Hill Bookstore
- Published
- 1969
- Condition
- Very Good
- Item Price
-
$100.00
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Description:
New York, NY: Random House, 1969. Book. Very Good. Hardcover. 281 pages, 8vo. Jacket price clipped. Third Printing, with number line ending in the number 3. Black cloth boards with gilt lettering along spine and front cover, red Random House emblem along spine. Shelfwear to DJ: light scuffing along edges and covers, light fading along spine edges. DJ in mylar.… Read more
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$100.00
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
by Angelou, Maya
- Seller
- Bonita
- Condition
- Good
- ISBN
- 9780435124274
- Item Price
-
$97.36
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hardcover. Good. Access codes and supplements are not guaranteed with used items.
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$97.36
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
by Angelou, Maya
- Seller
- Bailey Bonzo Books
- Published
- 2000
- Condition
- Fine
- Item Price
-
$75.00
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London: The Folio Society, 2000. Book. Fine. Decorative Cloth. 4to - over 9¾" - 12" tall. Fourth printing, 2004, so stated. Brown cloth with brown wrap around design with gilt lettering to the spine. 254 pp. This copy is FINE in a FINE dark brown slipcase. No noticeable blemishes. Looks and feels unread. Front cover design by David Sellars.… Read more
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$75.00
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
by Angelou, Maya
- Seller
- Bonita
- Condition
- Good
- ISBN
- 9780553108422
- Item Price
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$68.54
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paperback. Good. Access codes and supplements are not guaranteed with used items.
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I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
by Angelou, Maya
- Seller
- Bonita
- Condition
- Good
- ISBN
- 9780851193397
- Item Price
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$66.57
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Hardcover. Good. Access codes and supplements are not guaranteed with used items.
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I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
by ANGELOU MAYA
- Seller
- GridFreed LLC
- Published
- 1993-01-01
- Condition
- New
- ISBN
- 9780748710768
- Item Price
-
$64.64
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Bantam, 1993-01-01. Paperback. New. New. In shrink wrap. Looks like an interesting title!
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$64.64
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings: A BBC Radio 4 Dramatisation
by Angelou, Maya
- Seller
- Bonita
- Condition
- Good
- ISBN
- 9781787531635
- Item Price
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$63.59
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audioCD. Good. Access codes and supplements are not guaranteed with used items.
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I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings
by Maya Angelou
- Seller
- GridFreed LLC
- Published
- 1978-07-01
- Condition
- New
- ISBN
- 9780553122527
- Item Price
-
$63.53
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Bantam Books, 1978-07-01. Mass Market Paperback. New. New. In shrink wrap. Looks like an interesting title!
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$63.53
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
by Angelou, Maya
- Seller
- GridFreed LLC
- Published
- 1983-04-01
- Condition
- New
- ISBN
- 9780553256154
- Item Price
-
$63.42
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Bantam, 1983-04-01. Mass Market Paperback. New. New. In shrink wrap. Looks like an interesting title!
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$63.42
I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings
by Maya Angelou
- Seller
- GridFreed LLC
- Published
- 1984-01-01
- Condition
- New
- ISBN
- 9780860685111
- Item Price
-
$62.58
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HACHETTE INDIA, 1984-01-01. Paperback. New. New. In shrink wrap. Looks like an interesting title!
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$62.58
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
by Angelou, Maya
- Seller
- GridFreed LLC
- Published
- 1983-06-01
- Condition
- New
- ISBN
- 9780553237795
- Item Price
-
$62.57
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Bantam Books, 1983-06-01. Mass Market Paperback. New. New. In shrink wrap. Looks like an interesting title!
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$62.57
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
by Angelou, Maya
- Seller
- GridFreed LLC
- Published
- 1971-01-01
- Condition
- New
- ISBN
- 9780553108422
- Item Price
-
$62.33
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Bantam Doubleday Dell, 1971-01-01. Paperback. New. New. In shrink wrap. Looks like an interesting title!
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$62.33
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
by Angelou, Maya
- Seller
- GridFreed LLC
- Published
- 1997-05-12
- Condition
- New
- ISBN
- 9780553380019
- Item Price
-
$60.53
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Bantam, 1997-05-12. Paperback. New. New. In shrink wrap. Looks like an interesting title!
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I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
by Angelou, Maya
- Seller
- GridFreed LLC
- Published
- 1983-05-01
- Condition
- New
- ISBN
- 9780553279375
- Item Price
-
$60.50
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Bantam, 1983-05-01. Mass Market Paperback. New. New. In shrink wrap. Looks like an interesting title!
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$60.50
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
by Angelou, Maya
- Seller
- J. E. MILES, A BOOKSELLER
- Published
- 1971
- Condition
- Very Good
- ISBN
- 9780553108422
- Item Price
-
$59.95
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Bantam. Very Good. 1971. Mass Market Paperback. 0553108425 (E135) .
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$59.95
I KNOW WHY THE CAGED BIRD SINGS (Hardcover)
by Angelou, Maya
- Seller
- ThriftBooks
- Published
- 2000
- Condition
- Good
- Item Price
-
$57.07
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Folio Society, 2000. Hardcover. Good. Missing dust jacket; Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
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$57.07
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
by Angelou, Maya
- Seller
- Bonita
- Condition
- Good
- ISBN
- 9780553225471
- Item Price
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$56.27
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paperback. Good. Access codes and supplements are not guaranteed with used items.
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I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (Abridged Audio Edition)
by Angelou, Maya
- Seller
- Bonita
- Condition
- Good
- ISBN
- 9780679451730
- Item Price
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$52.65
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audioCD. Good. Access codes and supplements are not guaranteed with used items.
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I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
by Maya Angelou
- Seller
- Bonita
- Condition
- Good
- ISBN
- 9780553131840
- Item Price
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$52.24
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paperback. Good. Access codes and supplements are not guaranteed with used items.
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I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
by Maya Angelou
- Seller
- Ergodebooks
- Published
- 2009-04-09
- Condition
- Good
- Edition
- Reprint
- ISBN
- 9781439568811
- Item Price
-
$49.90
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2009-04-09. Reprint. Library Binding. Good.
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$49.90
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings: Novel-Ties Study Guide
by Maya Angelou
- Seller
- Bonita
- Condition
- Good
- ISBN
- 9780767510431
- Item Price
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$48.31
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paperback. Good. Access codes and supplements are not guaranteed with used items.
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I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
by Angelou, Maya
- Seller
- Bonita
- Condition
- Good
- ISBN
- 9780375507892
- Item Price
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$46.50
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hardcover. Good. Access codes and supplements are not guaranteed with used items.
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I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
by Angelou, Maya
- Seller
- Books For You
- Published
- 2000
- Condition
- Very Good
- Item Price
-
$45.00
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London: The Folio Society, 2000. Book. Very Good. Hardcover. 8vo - over 7¾ - 9¾" tall. 254pp. Brown decorative cloth, light wear. Light soil to fore edge pages, 2 pages have creased corners. Brown slipcase very good, with light rubbing, light soil. .
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$45.00
I KNOW WHY THE CAGED BIRD SINGS
by Maya Angelou
- Seller
- Rare Book Cellar
- Published
- 2009
- Edition
- First Edition; Eighteenth Printing
- ISBN
- 9780812980028
- Item Price
-
$44.95
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New York: Random House Trade Paperbacks. 2009. First Edition; Eighteenth Printing. Softcover. 0812980026 . Near Fine in wraps. ; 8.2 X 5.4 X 1.0 inches; 304 pages .
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$44.95
I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings (Turtleback School & Library Binding Edition)
by Angelou, Maya
- Seller
- Bonita
- Condition
- Good
- ISBN
- 9780808510574
- Item Price
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$44.70
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school. Good. Access codes and supplements are not guaranteed with used items.
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I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings - Multiple Critical Perspectives
by Maya Angelou
- Seller
- Bonita
- Condition
- Good
- ISBN
- 9781603891608
- Item Price
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$44.47
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paperback. Good. Access codes and supplements are not guaranteed with used items.
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I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (Barnes & Noble Reader's Companion)
by Angelou, Maya
- Seller
- Bonita
- Condition
- Good
- ISBN
- 9781586638641
- Item Price
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$43.52
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paperback. Good. Access codes and supplements are not guaranteed with used items.
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$43.52
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
by Angelou, Maya
- Seller
- Bonita
- Condition
- Good
- ISBN
- 9780394429861
- Item Price
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$43.43
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hardcover. Good. Access codes and supplements are not guaranteed with used items.
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I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
by Angelou, Maya
- Seller
- Bonita
- Condition
- Good
- ISBN
- 9780553541694
- Item Price
-
$42.53
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Mass Market Paperback. Good. Access codes and supplements are not guaranteed with used items.
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$42.53
I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings (VMC Designer Collection)
by Maya Angelou
- Seller
- Bonita
- Condition
- Good
- ISBN
- 9780860685111
- Item Price
-
$42.36
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paperback. Good. Access codes and supplements are not guaranteed with used items.
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$42.36