In order to study resilience in children, the author examines five autobiographical narratives which deal extensively with childhood difficulties: "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, The Woman Warrior, Hunger of Memory, Brothers and Keepers", and "This Boy's Life". In analyzing these stories, he draws on topics such as urban school reform, birth order, bilingual education, the importance of family and community, child development, gender stereotyping, and discrimination based on race, ethnicity, and sexual identity. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.