Michelle Obama: Meet the First Lady

by David B. Brophy

Michelle obama has been by her husband's side throughout his historic presidential campaign, a dynamic personality whether she is delivering speeches or hitting the dance floor on The Ellen DeGeneres Show . Follow the story of a hardworking girl growing up on the South Side of Chicago and how she has inspired our nation to believe in the American Dream that her life exemplifies. In her own stirring America should be a place where you can make it if you try. Written by David Bergen Brophy, this in-depth biography captures the heart and soul of the First Lady behind the campaign for change.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Biography Memoir

128 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 2008

Reviews

[Ingrid · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading about Michelle Obama and learning about her childhood and her professional life. The book covers her life up to the inauguration. The book really stresses how hard Mrs. Obama worked and what a good student she was. I think that this is an inspiring book for students to see that hard work and dedication do pay off and that it is possible through hard work to make a difference in the world.

[Linda Isebrand · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy reading books about our First Ladies. They often are highly accomplished in their own right, but our overshadowed by the accomplishments of their husbands. This is a quick and easy and read that doesn’t cover the presidential years, but we still recognize Michelle Obama as a highly accomplished woman.

[Beth Hagan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A strong family is so important.

[Carmen Ogas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick Read...very informative

If you want to learn a little about Michelle Obama this is a book to read. It short and to the point

[Theresa Lange · Rating 5 out of 5]

Informative and interesting.

[Salsabrarian]

Booktalk: Once upon a time there was a little girl named Michelle. She was very smart and did well in school. In fact she was so smart, she skipped the second grade! But even though she was smart, she didn't do very well on tests. So she always worked hard on her homework and assignments in class. Michelle grew up, went to college and became a lawyer. One day her law firm hired a new lawyer and assigned Michelle to be his mentor. (Define mentor.) Well, this new lawyer really liked Michelle and she liked him, too, and maybe they were even falling in love! But Michelle wanted to make sure this was the real deal. Michelle's big brother was a star basketball player in college and she learned from him that you can always tell what a person is like by the way he plays basketball. Is he mean or selfish? Does he cooperate and get along with people? So she asked her big brother to play basketball with her new boyfriend and find out what kind of person he really was. Well, after the game, her big brother said, "Your boy can ball. He's the real deal." Michelle ended up marrying her boyfriend and everyone here knows who he is. Because that little girl who skipped the second grade and didn't do well on tests is Michelle Obama, wife of President Barack Obama...

[alana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This biography introduces Michelle Obama to an 8-12 year old audience from her childhood in Chicago up to the election of her husband as President of the US. The author emphasizes young Michelle's strong study habits and hard work in order to succeed in school and in her career. One chapter also shows how studying at Princeton caused Michelle to reflect on race, class, and priviledge. In addition to addressing what has happened thus far in Michelle's life, the book also explores why she made her decisions as well as her struggles to balance her personal career with her partner's and the her desire to prioritize her daughters' welfare. The book has a great little glossary that explains key vocabulary related to politics, careers, and education.

On a side note, I was looking for a biography of the First Lady, and this children's book was the only one available at my library that focuses on Michelle Obama's life prior to meeting her husband. However, there are three adult books available regarding her fashion choices :S

[Jennifer Wardrip · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reviewed by Steph for TeensReadToo.com

This book tells the story of Michelle Robinson Obama.

She grew up in Chicago and worked hard to get into prestigious schools such as Princeton and Harvard. While working in Chicago after graduating Law School, Michelle met a brilliant and enlightening law student named Barack Obama.

Michelle fell in love, got married, raised a family, and supported her husband in his political career.

David Bergen Brophy writes a very informative biography about the future First Lady. After reading this book, one can expect to have general knowledge of Michelle Obama - and the reader even gets a few insights into soon-to-be President Obama's past and present life.

The book is a quick and easy read that leaves the reader satisfied.

[Hajnal · Rating 3 out of 5]

This biography describes the life of the first African-American First Lady and I foresee many libraries will need resources like this in the future. The beginning focuses a lot on her education while the second half explores her life with Barack Obama. Michelle serves as a good role model not only as an African-American, but as a woman, and this would be a good report-writing resource. The writing style is more suited for upper elementary. Since she is a current figure, this book will probably need to be rewritten in the next couple of years because she is just at the beginning of her husband’s term.

[Dominique · Rating 5 out of 5]

I gave this book five stars. It was amazing to hear about our first african american first lady. And her life growing up. One of my favorite quotes by ms obama was " We know our world should look like. We know what fairness, and justice, and opportunity look like. The world as it is just won't do. we have an obligation to fight. For the world as it should be. That is why i love this country"
Michelle Obama

[alicebme · Rating 2 out of 5]

6. Personal Response: This book is for ages 8-12, but it is super dry for the most part. Pieced together from secondhand information gathered from interviews with Michelle and her acquaintances, this book lacks life and energy.[return]7. Connections: I’d like to use this in a comparison of biographies of Michelle Obama for kids. I’m sure there are a few out there. Kids could utilize a Venn Diagram to show strengths and weaknesses of each.

[Tracy Freeman · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a refreshing book. First Lady M. Obama revealed challenges she faced in college, on the campaign trail, and more. She essentially discovered that her attorney’s hat is different from her First Lady’s hat. She made mistakes; she adjusted gracefully; and then, she adapted all the while maintaining her identity. This book provides a powerful message for us all. Great book! Thanks First Lady.

[Andi M. · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short children's biography, but I still learned a lot! I got a better understanding of her educational upbringing and her work with community outreach through law. Good stuff. Thanks to HarperCollins for sending this one along.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good to read and learn about the First Lady. Makenna had to do a report. It was nice to read.

[Bjorn Parker]

Great and realy shows how her childhood life was.

[Gerin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a very quick read. I was amazed at how accomplished Michelle Obama is.

[Melissa Cassel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would recommend this book. It talks about her childhood. She had to work hard to get through college.

[Alyssa · Rating 5 out of 5]

i think this was intersting book about michelle obama