Michelle Obama is an icon in her own right, as well as being the much loved wife of ex President Barack Obama, and
the mother of two gorgeous girls. In Becoming (Adapted for younger readers edition), Michelle shares her life from childhood, through school, university, law school and then meeting a law student who would not only change her life, but millions of others too.
Becoming is split up into three sections, beginning with a preface which includes:
“…I’ve been a lawyer. I’ve been a vice president at a hospital and the director of a nonprofit that helps young people build meaningful careers. I’ve been a working-class black student at a fancy mostly white college.. I’ve been the only woman, the only African American, in all sorts of rooms. I’ve been a bride, a stressed-out new mom, a daughter torn up by grief… and was the First Lady of The United States of America.”
Becoming Me takes us through her childhood with her mum, dad and protective big brother Craig. Piano lessons downstairs with her aunt, school, jazz music, and family all around her. Michelle strived to be the best she could be at everything she tried. Her working parents didn’t have much money, or their own home, choosing to invest in their children’s future. Michelle and Craig were raised to be independent, free thinking and hard working.
Becoming Us is her journey with an amazing man she met through the law firm where she worked. His name of course is Barack Obama. They are so different in many ways – he’s messy, she’s organised and tidy. Michelle is into the details of things, events and responsibilities, when Barack didn’t stress the small stuff. Michelle was punctual, Barack was always late. But they both wanted to make America a better place, particularly for African Americans and other minorities.
Michelle struggles with the amount of time politics steals Barack away from their family, but knows this is what he wants to do, strives to do, is meant to do. She reassesses what she wants in life too, and they both make a difference to many lives on the way to the 44th presidency. And then it actually, finally happens. Over 200,000 people come to help them celebrate.
Becoming More is learning to be The First Lady of the United States, but doing it her way. Having children to the White House in exercise and gardening enterprises, and being home for her girls at night. Providing mentoring programs and education initiatives. Continuing her community work. Hugging the family members of victims of terrible tragedies, and becoming the uplifting icon for millions of girls across America – to be the best they can be.
After 8 years in The White House, they left on January 20 2017. But she is still Becoming.
“It’s all a process, steps along a path. Becoming requires equal parts patience and rigor. Becoming is never giving up on the idea that there’s more growing to be done. I’m an ordinary person who found herself on an extraordinary journey.”
This memoir is humbling, uplifting, eye-opening and engaging. Michelle Obama came from a household without much money, but full of love, family, music, high ideals, and hopes for the future. With that as her sturdy and steady base, she achieved so much as a single woman, then more as a wife and mother, and even more when her family moved into The White House.
This isn’t a memoir to rush through. Take your time. Even if you don’t like politics these sections have little gems of insight woven through them. There are three sections of full colour photos to view too.
Author – Michelle Obama
Age – 13+
Find Teacher’s Notes here
(2021, Penguin, US, United States of America, First Lady, Barack Obama, 44th President, Politics, Family, Goals, Memoir, Bio, Younger Readers Edition, Love, Romance, Growing up, Advantage, Privilege, Racism, Prejudice)