Barack Obama: Our 44th President

by Beatrice Gormley

President Barack Obama's early involvement with politics was inspired by his mother's interest in the controversial social issues of her times -- a passion that she passed on to her son. As the first African American editor of the Harvard Law Review, the first African American presidential nominee of a major political party, and eventually the first African American president of the United States, Barack Obama has consistently shattered barriers -- barriers that some people thought could never be overcome. However, life has not always been easy for President Obama. Born to a Kenyan father and an American mother, Barack grew up in Hawaii and Indonesia, where he faced discrimination and struggles with his own racial identity. Despite these obstacles, Barack persevered and had a successful political career before his historic win in the 2008 presidential election, with his daughters and wife, Michelle, standing firmly by his side. His election has energized a nation, and President Obama will continue to lead the charge for change over the next four years. This is the children's biography about the forty-fourth president of the United States. Containing up-to-the-minute information, including President Obama's November victory, this is essential reading for every young student of American history.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography, Presidents

168 pages, Paperback

First published December 2, 2008

About the author

Born in Glendale, California, Beatrice grew up in Southern California. After graduating from Pomona College, she worked in publishing near San Francisco. There she met and married Robert Gormley, and they moved to Massachusetts. They have two daughters.
Since age 9 Beatrice had wanted to become a writer. But it wasn't until after her children were born that she really focused on her writing. In 1981 her first book, Mail Order Wings,was published. Since then she's written many popular novels and biographies for young people. Her most recent books are Second Lives, a novel of humans and other animals, and the biography Joe Biden: Our 46th President.

Reviews

[Jean · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book on a bookself in a vacation condo in Hawaii. Since I was in the process of reading "Hawaii" related books or books set in Hawaii - I thought, why not? It is a book written for young readers, but it gives a clear and concise review of Barack Obama's journey to the Presidency; who his parent were; where he was born; where he was educated; where he lived from childhood to the White House. When I finished reading it, I thought all Americans should read this book. It gives the basics and causes one to want to know more about our 44th President. Who knows maybe an adult biography or even reading the books he has written. He's really Hawaii's own.

[MMWins · Rating 3 out of 5]

I will begin by saying this is a young adult book. The front flap suggest ages 8-12yrs.
This is not an autobiography, it is told in third party. It is more of summary of some of the most important events of the president life.

Anyone can read this book, and perhaps a good place to understand his beginnings and what lead him to going into service.

I did enjoy the story and I look forward to reading his autobiography.

[Becky Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book I've read about Obama's childhood so it was very interesting to me to learn that he did not have an easy life growing up. This is a children's book so it was fairly easy reading. I'm curious to read more about him now that I read this book and also read some books about Michelle Obama as I haven't yet.

[Christopher Higham · Rating 4 out of 5]

I should have read this back in 2009 when Obama was still newly elected and I was in middle school. The author often says Obama was "well-spoken". That phrase hasn't aged well. But other than that, this was a fun informative read.

[Michelle V · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gift from a friend. Quick and easy workday read.

[Richard]

crap

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Barack Obama: Our 44th President, by Beatrice Gormley, was a Nonfiction book about America’s 44th President. The book was filled with many details about his life and all of them were described like a great story. The introduction started off with Barack Obama’s birth and background information about his family like his father, mother, and grandparents from his mother and father’s side. Afterwards, it continued on about how Barack Obama’s parents divorced. He stayed with his mother so he became more close with her. However, he didn’t feel like a white person or an African American because he was a mix of both. Read the book to find out more about how Barack Obama went through some challenges like this.
I liked this book because it had many facts and the author tried to describe all the parts of his life like they were all very significant. However, it just continued on and on about his life and there wasn’t much interesting things. That is one of the reason some Nonfiction books are never appealing to me.
I would recommend this book to people who like to read informative books with a lot of facts and knowledge. This book is a great learning tool for people who want to increase their knowledge. If you liked this book, I would recommend you to read more Nonfiction books by Beatrice Gormley.

[Lonaoui Amare]

This book tells the story of the forty fourth president of the USA not only when he became president but before he got elected. It includes how he got raised and what interests he had that lead him to become a politician. It also includes some background information about him such as when he was born, where he was born, who raised him, what school he went to and why he decided to become a politician.

The overall theme of this book was that if you put your mind to doing something you can do it, I say this because Barack Obama didn't always have the power he has now, he put his mind on doing good in school which lead him to a better life. Another theme could be to be unselfish with the power you have, I say this because as a politician Barack Obama's purpose was to help all of the unemployed or poverty stricken people in the USA.

I would recommend this book to people who are inspired and want to know more about Barack Obama because after reading this book I know a lot more about him. I would also recommend this book who aspire to be like Barack Obama because it tells how he became as powerful as he did.

[Marcia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fairly dry biography, but I think the popular adoration of our new president will make it a readable MCBA choice for most kids. There was information here I didn't know--particularly the very complex family tree that his father cultivated and the depth of his work in community action. The book tries to present an unbiased view and includes the missed gun control vote while he was in Hawaii, the relationship with Rev. Wright and the broken campaign promise to accept public campaign funding. His sense of family, values and the American Dream are showcased.

[Emoni Littlejohn]

i really enjoy this book because i can learn more about the president.I can learn more about his life, and what the president has been through.I've also seen a movie about his life to in elementary, it was a really good movie, and i didn't know before but the president Barack Obama use to do drugs. That was surprising. And in the book when they talked about When his mom first brought him home her parents weren't to easy about it. Her parents said that they have never had an baby from Africa.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting and well written biography of President Obama suitable for children around grades 4-6.

[Ginger · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very competent biography for young people.

[Sabrina Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

ive never known so many things about any one president!

[Dylan · Rating 4 out of 5]

On the biography side, It seemed to show pretty accurate information about Obama

[Jjramirez · Rating 5 out of 5]

it is amasing to learn about are president.

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book can tell me about Amrica and how Barak Obama lived

[Crystal · Rating 3 out of 5]

While the basic facts are nothing new, and it stops at the inauguration, it is a well-written introduction to the president's life.

[Samuel Chavez · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wanted to learn ho Obama became so famous. Though I am a republican person.