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Michelle
Smart and sure, hardworking, talented, professional and passionate, loving wife and mother, daughter, sister, friend. This is the story of a girl from Chicago who dared to dream big, worked hard to make things happen, and grew up to be an extraordinary Michelle Robinson Obama. Deborah Hopkinson and AG Ford capture the inspiring story of the first African American First Lady in this beautiful picture-book biography.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2009
2 people are currently reading
139 people want to read
About the author
Deborah Hopkinson
107 books371 followersI write nonfiction and historical fiction, picture books, and Golden Books. I speak at school, libraries, and conferences. I also love to garden and offer manuscript critiques. (Deborahhopkinson@yahoo.com)
NEW books in 2024 include DETERMINED DREAMER: THE STORY OF MARIE CURIE, illus by Jen Hill, ON A SUMMER NIGHT, illus by Kenard Pak, TRIM HELPS OUT and TRIM SAILS the STORM, illus by Kristy Caldwell, EVIDENCE! illustrated by Nik Henderson, and a nonfiction work called THEY SAVED THE STALLIONS. I'm delighted to say that Trim Helps Out, Trim Sails the Storm, On a Summer Night and Evidence! are all Junior Library Guild selections.
I live and work in Oregon and travel all over to speak to young readers and writers.
NEW books in 2024 include DETERMINED DREAMER: THE STORY OF MARIE CURIE, illus by Jen Hill, ON A SUMMER NIGHT, illus by Kenard Pak, TRIM HELPS OUT and TRIM SAILS the STORM, illus by Kristy Caldwell, EVIDENCE! illustrated by Nik Henderson, and a nonfiction work called THEY SAVED THE STALLIONS. I'm delighted to say that Trim Helps Out, Trim Sails the Storm, On a Summer Night and Evidence! are all Junior Library Guild selections.
I live and work in Oregon and travel all over to speak to young readers and writers.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
March 6, 2013
Michelle is a biography of Michelle Obama and her life growing up on the South Side of Chicago in a one bed room apartment on Euclid with her mother, father and brother. This story follows Michelle from grammar school to high school where she attends Whitney M. Young Magnet H.S all the way to her graduation from Harvard Law School.
This story provide good but simple detail of Michelle and Barack meeting at the law firm where Michelle worked, to their dating, to their marriage and having a family and all the way to the important role Michelle played in her husband being elected senator and then becoming the forty-fourth president of the United States on November 4, 2008. Michelle Obama became American’s first African American First lady.
At the end of the story the author has a section called author’s notes that provides additional information about Michelle’s life.
The artwork in this book is wonderful and so realistic and displayed key events in Michelle’s life and children between the ages 4 – 7 would love this inspiring story of the first African American First Lady and the important role she played in history with the election of her husband that first African American President of the United States.
There are so many biographies of the Obama family, but this one in my opinion captures who is Michelle before she became the First Lady of the United States.
This story provide good but simple detail of Michelle and Barack meeting at the law firm where Michelle worked, to their dating, to their marriage and having a family and all the way to the important role Michelle played in her husband being elected senator and then becoming the forty-fourth president of the United States on November 4, 2008. Michelle Obama became American’s first African American First lady.
At the end of the story the author has a section called author’s notes that provides additional information about Michelle’s life.
The artwork in this book is wonderful and so realistic and displayed key events in Michelle’s life and children between the ages 4 – 7 would love this inspiring story of the first African American First Lady and the important role she played in history with the election of her husband that first African American President of the United States.
There are so many biographies of the Obama family, but this one in my opinion captures who is Michelle before she became the First Lady of the United States.
November 6, 2016
Before reading the book titled Michelle, I knew Michelle Obama was from Chicago, went to law school, is all for healthy living, first black First Lady of the United States and is married to the first black president of the United States and have two kids together. Well After reading this book I was able to get to learn about Michelle Robinson a little more in depth. I love reading of how she did awesome in school and went on to earn degrees at two of the most prestigious schools. Although I did awesome in school I never wanted to go to Yale or Harvard or any of those schools. Being that I was raised in Chicago and still resides here it's awesome to read about something positive coming from this state because lately it's just so much negative. The book titled Michelle also touches upon her role in the community and how her help and support for her husband helped him to become the 44th president.
The images in this book looked so real like actual pictures them self. Great read and great illustrations. I would read this to maybe 1st-2nd graders.
The images in this book looked so real like actual pictures them self. Great read and great illustrations. I would read this to maybe 1st-2nd graders.
April 25, 2020
Michelle Obama was born in Chicago, she had an older brother named Craig and her parents names were Fraser and Marian. Fraser worked very hard as an employee at the local water plant, and Michelle looked up to him very much. Marian taught the children to read by the age of four and was strict about education. Michelle learned about courage from her dad and how to ask questions, think, and learn from her mistakes from her mom. Together, they taught her to dream big. They saved for both children to be able to go to college so growing up, so they lived very frugally. Michelle grew up reading and playing games. Michelle skipped second grade and had other accomplishments through her education, eventually leading to her attendance at Princeton University and graduation from Harvard Law School. She worked as a lawyer in Chicago, where she met Barack Obama who eventually became her husband. Shortly after her dad’s death, Michelle began working in community service rather than law. Michelle and Barack welcomed their daughters Malia and Sasha into their family in 1998 and 2001. Michelle stayed beside Barack during his political career, from the senate to president. Michelle Obama was the first African American First Lady.
I gave this book 4 stars. I liked really liked that the illustrations were realistic and some of them looked like they were drawings from the events themselves (for example, the illustrations from the inauguration). I really liked how much information was given about Michelle's childhood and her family, because it shows how her early years created her path in the future.
I gave this book 4 stars. I liked really liked that the illustrations were realistic and some of them looked like they were drawings from the events themselves (for example, the illustrations from the inauguration). I really liked how much information was given about Michelle's childhood and her family, because it shows how her early years created her path in the future.
February 19, 2021
Michelle by Deborah Hopkinson is a biographical picture book, illustrated by A.G. Ford, of First Lady Michelle Obama. In the story, we meet the young Michelle Obama and learn of how she grew up. Smart and strong willed, traits gained from both her parents, Michelle grew up to achieve high goals, and become the successful role model she is today. Through hard work and dedication, Michelle has become the epitome of realizing your dreams, and strives to help youth across the country do the same.
I would use this book as a read aloud for grades K-2. I especially like this book, as it can be used to inspire students from all backgrounds to work hard to achieve their dreams. I feel that many students will be able to relate to Michelle's story and see some of themselves in her. They can use Michelle as a model and see that dedication and perseverance results in success, no matter how easy or hard the task. Additionally, I think this book would be great for teaching students to use context clues to decode new or difficult words. A.G. Ford, expertly depicted the major events of Michelle's life and students can use the images to help them understand the text in front of them. Overall, Michelle the book is a very good read and I learned how amazing Michelle the person truly is.
I would use this book as a read aloud for grades K-2. I especially like this book, as it can be used to inspire students from all backgrounds to work hard to achieve their dreams. I feel that many students will be able to relate to Michelle's story and see some of themselves in her. They can use Michelle as a model and see that dedication and perseverance results in success, no matter how easy or hard the task. Additionally, I think this book would be great for teaching students to use context clues to decode new or difficult words. A.G. Ford, expertly depicted the major events of Michelle's life and students can use the images to help them understand the text in front of them. Overall, Michelle the book is a very good read and I learned how amazing Michelle the person truly is.
May 1, 2020
This is a easy read for children to learn the biography of the first African American lady of the United States, Michelle Obama. It talks about her childhood where her parents worked as a kid. Her mom believed in education and was super strict on TV. Her father developed scoliosis disease and she still learned from her parents to dream big. ALthough they didn't go to college they saved money in order for her and her brother to go to college and reach their dreams. Michelle never gave up, worked hard in school, and always wanted to be best. It talks about how she came to meet Barack Obama. They both fell in love, Married in october 3 1992. She eventually left the law firm which she worked and went on to do community service worked. She enjoyed this alot by making things better for the people she loved. She became a mom of two girls. She eventually assisted her husband to run for president.
August 9, 2018
Although some of Hopkinson's works for children shine brilliantly, her two books on the Obama family, unfortunately, fall flat. In this book, the illustrator, AG Ford, appeared to have trouble standardizing his pictorial characterizations of the characters; from page to page, head size and other facial features varied disconcertingly.
On the narrative side, the text about Michelle shone but only when describing her before meeting her future husband. Hopkinson's narrative shifts to the simplistic when she describes Michelle, always in relation, in the shadow of, her husband.
I wish I could recommend this book.
On the narrative side, the text about Michelle shone but only when describing her before meeting her future husband. Hopkinson's narrative shifts to the simplistic when she describes Michelle, always in relation, in the shadow of, her husband.
I wish I could recommend this book.
June 22, 2018
nice biography;)
March 9, 2020
This biography is thorough, interesting, and educational. The illustrations, however, are awful; you can tell the artist is trying to portray the subjects in a lifelike manner, but it falls short.
February 14, 2017
Nice biography and the A.J Ford paintings are lovely. Not sure kids will really appreciate them.
May 23, 2012
Michelle, by Deborah Hopkinson and illustrated by AG Ford, is a nonfiction biography of Michelle Obama, First Lady of the United States of America. It is a picturebook that tells the story of Michelle’s life so far from birth in the south side of Chicago all the way through the day she became First Lady of the United States when Barack took the oath of office. I really liked the book. The story was really easy to read and there were not too many words on a page. Sometimes biographies get bogged down with big words and too many words, but this book would be perfect for younger children who want to learn about Michelle Obama without picking up a big chapter book. The language used was very suitable for young children, and the pictures complimented this age appropriate language very well. The pictures were done very well. They were very realistic and the faces were very expressive, making it very easy for young children who may be having the book read to them or who may not be able to read all the words themselves to still be able to follow along and understand what is going on and the emotions the illustrator is trying to convey. There was nothing that I did not like about this book. I think it was very well done as a picturebook biography intended for younger children who want to learn about Michelle Obama without getting bogged down in a heavy chapter book.
November 10, 2010
I've read several picture books about Michelle or Barack Obama, but this one is a step above the rest. The story is told in a very straightforward way as it relates the basic facts about Michelle Obama's life from her birth on the South Side of Chicago to her current home in the White House as wife of President Barack Obama. Yet, there is something about the warm way her story is told that made me cheer for her success. On the first page, the author describes Michelle Obama as "an ordinary girl who grew up to do extraordinary things." The way the author goes on to tell about Michelle's life conveys a message that in America it truly is possible to accomplish anything if you dream big and work hard. The illustrations look like paintings of real photographs, so it feels like the reader is getting a personal glimpse into her family and life.
I would highly recommend this version of Michelle Obama's life story for students in grades K-3. It is informational and inspirational. Students will feel like they know more about our president and his wife. Her story will inspire kids from any background to work hard.
I would highly recommend this version of Michelle Obama's life story for students in grades K-3. It is informational and inspirational. Students will feel like they know more about our president and his wife. Her story will inspire kids from any background to work hard.
March 16, 2010
"Don't let anybody set the limits of your dreams." Michelle Robinson Obama.
This picture-book biography is an inspiring tale of our nation's first African-American First Lady. It takes us through her childhood on the south side of Chicago. She was fortunate and had a loving mother, father and brother to encourage her. Education always came first in her family and Michelle and her brother were the first in the family to graduate from college. This book is truely an inspiration. This would be a wonderful book for primary and intermediate grade students. The illustrations are fantastic, painted with such detail that they look like real photographs. Michelle Obama is one smart, classy woman who is a role model for many. She worked hard to reach her goals, even in the face of adversity. She watched her father suffer from MS, but learned about courage through him. Her mother taught her to question everthing and to become a critical thinker. A marvelous book! I would suggest it to all teachers to read to their students.
This picture-book biography is an inspiring tale of our nation's first African-American First Lady. It takes us through her childhood on the south side of Chicago. She was fortunate and had a loving mother, father and brother to encourage her. Education always came first in her family and Michelle and her brother were the first in the family to graduate from college. This book is truely an inspiration. This would be a wonderful book for primary and intermediate grade students. The illustrations are fantastic, painted with such detail that they look like real photographs. Michelle Obama is one smart, classy woman who is a role model for many. She worked hard to reach her goals, even in the face of adversity. She watched her father suffer from MS, but learned about courage through him. Her mother taught her to question everthing and to become a critical thinker. A marvelous book! I would suggest it to all teachers to read to their students.
April 16, 2012
This was the story of Michelle Robinson Obama, smart, sure, a proud wife and mother, loving daughter, sister and friend. She was described as an ordinary girl who grew up to do extraordinary things. The book gives a look at Michelle’s upbringing and her strong connection and bond with her family. It describes her determination even from a young girl to win. Parents instilled in her lessons of hard work, determination, courage, following your heart and thinking. The artist used surrealistic art to canvas the characters. They look like real sketches of the Robinsons and the Obamas. The illustrator uses bold warm colors. Lighter shades of pastels (yellow and blue) are used as backgrounds. They seem to serve as an outline. We all know what happens in the end, but I found the beginning and middle the most interesting. This is a story that can be motivating to young readers. I would recommend it because it sends the message of determination and hope. This book is appropriate for intermediate readers.
December 5, 2012
I really enjoyed reading this biography as it taught me a lot about who Michelle Obama is and has been in the past. I liked how it went all the way to the beginning to when she was not rich and famous. It truly portrayed her as a woman who connected with humble people as she too had her struggles. I loved learning about how her parents encouraged her brother and her to go to school and achieve an education. I found it very important for biography to be interesting and connect to students. I personally found it super interesting and i feel that many young girls would love to read this biography as it is likely to inspire them to reach high and have big goals. I would recommend this book for children in the like 4th grade and higher. The vocabulary is not too difficult and it is flows fast. I would reccomend this book for children to utilize to not only practice reading but maybe create a small research paragraph on a famous person. Overall, i loved it and learned a ton!
December 20, 2009
This book is a well done approach to letting kids know about the first lady. The illustrations are beautifully done -- it's sort of fun to pick out famous pictures that they were inspired by. Most of all, I feel like there's a good balance of text and illustration -- this book will work for the mildly curious and the slightly more curious. There are just enough new bits of information in here to keep it interesting. It's an extremely glowy book -- Hopkinson obviously greatly admires Michelle Obama. Come to think of it, though, who doesn't?
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December 6, 2012This story tells about the life of the First Lady. It's great to have in the classroom so student's can feel more connected to the head honchos in the country. To a child the President and everything surrounding him probably seems very distant, and they might not realize that they are normal people just like us. This quick story about Michelle Obama lets students see that they had/have lives just like us.
November 9, 2016
I really enjoyed reading this book about our First Lady. I such a short time frame I learned so much about her life and what what she played in Barracks Obama presidency. She was not only a good person but a successful student who graduated from Harvard Law school. Michelle played a major role in our 44th president and had be so graceful and elegant. I loved the pictures and her overall story. I would recommend this book for 1st- 5th grade students
October 5, 2009
Cool behind-the-scenes info about Michelle (I especially like the fact that she loved Brady Bunch as a kid), and AG Ford's illustrations are beautiful.
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December 3, 2012This book is an amazingly beautiful story of our first lady and her journey to where she is now. The images are stunning and I would reccomend.
February 4, 2014
This simple biography was a bit lacking for me and I was not wowed by the illustrations. I'll keep looking for an amazing bio of her. Alas.
May 24, 2014
We absolutely LOVE this book about First Lady, Michelle Obama! It's an EXCELLENT book for young girls (especially young black girls). I highly recommend this book! :)
February 6, 2016
Gorgeous illustrations! Great information about Michelle's childhood and family life! Definitely a picture book I want in my classroom!
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews