Michelle Obama: An American Story [Hardcover]

David Colbert (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 9, 2009 | Age Level: 9 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up

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.

Editorial Reviews

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

Review

"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 . . . historical chapters . . . add welcome context to Obama’s inspiring story . . . [A] timely, highly readable biography."--Booklist

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Hardcover: 160 pages
• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Co (January 9, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0547249411
• ISBN-13: 978-0547249414
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #198,146 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Truly American Story, January 28, 2010

By 

Jacqueline Gardner "AvidReader" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Michelle Obama: An American Story (Hardcover)

Written for anyone to understand and put into simple words, it shows that Michelle Obama has been through what we call our history. Not only was she struggle with being looked down upon for being African American, she was also looked down on for being a woman. Truly inspirational, even for people who oppose Barrack's Presidency.

3 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An inspirational biography for any young reader, August 21, 2009

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Michelle Obama: An American Story (Hardcover)

Michelle Obama's family moved from slavery to the White House in just a few generations, and Michelle Obama: An American Story recounts her family story for any young reader in grades 5-8. Her lively story blends family heritage with her road to the White House and provides an inspirational biography for any young reader.

4 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars AWESOME, January 25, 2009

By 

Emma "Emma" (Memphis) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Michelle Obama: An American Story (Hardcover)

This is an excellent book for anyone, although it was written with children in mind. I usually read fiction, but this was great. This was the first time I worked for a presidential candidate, and I wanted to learn all about his family. David Colbert has written other biographies, and I'm going to read them too.