Michelle Obama: An American Story - Softcover

Colbert, David

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0547247702 ISBN 13: 9780547247700

Publisher: Clarion Books, 2008

Synopsis

Michelle Obama grew up on Chicago's South Side, and while the world outside her door was chaotic and ever-changing, her family provided a stable environment in which she could grow and flourish. This look at Michelle Obama's life and the turning points that shaped her shows how a girl from a working class background could rise to become one of the most influential women of her day.
   But this is more than a straight chronological retelling. This book looks at Michelle Obama's life story within the context of the larger movements in African American history: slavery, freedom, the Reconstruction era, the Civil Rights movement, and finally, her own era. 
   History is what has shaped Michelle and challenged her. And ultimately, not only has she overcome any obstacles put before her, she has carved out her own place in history as well.
   Includes 16 pages of color photos.

About this title

About the Author

David Colbert is the author of the acclaimed 10 DAYS biography series and the EYEWITNESS history series. J.K. Rowling praised his bestselling THE MAGICAL WORLDS OF HARRY POTTER, which has been published in almost thirty languages, as her favorite of the many written about her novels.

From Booklist

Of the recent biographies for youth about Michelle Obama, this title delves into the greatest depth on the subject of the First Lady’s family roots, reaching back to stories of her ancestors who toiled as slaves on a rice plantation in South Carolina. These historical chapters might feel tangential to readers seeking fast facts, but they add welcome context to Obama’s inspiring story. When the text does focus solely on the First Lady, it offers a strong sense of who Obama was as a child, her solid upbringing, and her adult choices, all bolstered with numerous quotes from Obama and those who know her best, including her husband. Focused mostly on her youth and early years of marriage, the book does include a few references to the Obamas’ new life in the White House, including family details that will interest a young audience: “My daughters are doing chores,” Obama has told the White House staff, for example. Two sections of color photos and appended source notes for direct quotes complete this timely, highly readable biography. Grades 5-8. --Gillian Engberg

Edition details

• Publisher: Clarion Books
• Publication date: 2008
• ISBN 10: 0547247702
• ISBN 13: 9780547247700
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 160