Michelle Obama

March 1, 2009
Grades 4-8 A great choice for reluctant readers, this title introduces the First Lady with accessible language and anecdotes from Obamas friends and family. From descriptions of her childhood bedroom to her Princeton dorm room decor, the small details contribute to a larger sense of the First Lady in various stages of her life. Its the direct quotes, though, including many from Obama herself, that will draw readers most. Many of these quotes have been repeated in other youth biographies about Obama, and in fact, one quote is repeated within the pages of this volume. Still, for readers encountering them for the first time, the quotes add immediacy and personality to what could otherwise have been a somewhat dry presentation in a title that lacks photos. Many young people will enjoy his-and-her remarks about the Obamas first impressions of each other, and Brophy is frank about the strains that political life places on a family, particularly when one parent hits the campaign trail. Contrast this with David Colberts Michelle Obama: An American Story (2009) for a fuller portrait of the First Ladys family of origin and her remarkable road to the White House.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2009, American Library Association.)

July 1, 2009
"Barack's rock" is given an evenhanded treatment in this accessible biography of the First Lady. The text highlights Michelle's close-knit, working-class family; her staunch work ethic; and her unwavering dedication to her husband and daughters. Readers will come away with an appreciation of the woman herself above and beyond her official role.

(Copyright 2009 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)