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Overview
Biography of Barack Obama, from his childhood in Hawaii and Indonesia to his presidential campaign.
Barack Obama captured America's attention when he delivered his renowned keynote address to the 2004 Democratic National Convention. Since then, he has come to represent unity among people of all ages and socioeconomic backgrounds. Follow the story of a boy named Barry, from his childhood in Hawaii and Indonesia to his time at Occidental College studying Nietzsche. Obama's desire to make the world better prompted him to become a community organizer in Chicago, attend Harvard Law School, and eventually set his sights on a U.S. senatorial seat. By encouraging his many followers to believe in America's great promise, Obama has become a symbol of hope and change.
Synopsis
Biography of Barack Obama, from his childhood in Hawaii and Indonesia to his presidential campaign.
Barack Obama captured America's attention when he delivered his renowned keynote address to the 2004 Democratic National Convention. Since then, he has come to represent unity among people of all ages and socioeconomic backgrounds. Follow the story of a boy named Barry, from his childhood in Hawaii and Indonesia to his time at Occidental College studying Nietzsche. Obama's desire to make the world better prompted him to become a community organizer in Chicago, attend Harvard Law School, and eventually set his sights on a U.S. senatorial seat. By encouraging his many followers to believe in America's great promise, Obama has become a symbol of hope and change.
VOYA
He was eloquent but it was a politician's talk. A Kenyan student made this comment during Barack Obama's 2006 visit to Africa. That trip was meant to be a touching reunion with his father's people but comes across more as a publicity event, part of "The Plan" Obama's advisers have charted for his career. This adaptation of the author's adult-marketed Obama: From Promise to Power (Amistad/HarperCollins, 2008) is a smoothly written account of Senator Obama's life from childhood with a single mother to inspiring presidential candidacy. He is portrayed as a powerfully eloquent speaker with the ability to leave audiences with a renewed sense of hope for their lives and their country. Excerpts from several of his speeches are captivating, but this quick-reading biography dances across the Senator's surface only. There are no specifics concerning either what he has accomplished or what he will do and no list of legislative bills written or sponsored by him although his opposition to the war in Iraq is quite clear. There are few references to his extended family and any struggles he might have because of his mixed-racial heritage. The controversial people in his life are avoided completely or in the case of his pastor Wright, mentioned without including any incendiary comments. Wife Michelle is depicted as his fiercest and most loyal supporter but practical also in her concern over the effect of his career and fame upon his family. In the end, readers have almost more understanding of her than of her husband. Reviewer: Pam Carlson
Editorials
KLIATT -
The publisher puts the readership of this biography of Obama for ages 8—12—I'd say the readership is more accurately from 12—16. Mendell is a reporter for the Chicago Tribune and has covered much of Obama's political career in that job. He uses information from his own interviews with Obama or Obama's staff for much of the text, as well as writing about events he reported on, such as Senator Obama's journey to Africa in 2006. Much of the information about Obama's childhood, adolescence, and young adulthood comes from the author's interviews with Obama, with Obama's grandmother, and with friends and colleagues from Harvard Law School, from the years working in Chicago before Obama ran for office, and interviews with Michelle Obama. Much is quoted from Obama's own memoir, Dreams From My Father. Mendell has tried to make the text appealing to younger readers by mentioning more about basketball than is probably warranted, such as the reference several times to the fact that in high school Obama had an argument with a coach and was benched for several games. Actually, however, this biography is serious about political decisions, political strategy, and political philosophy. It is careful reporting, and deserves a place on the shelf of every middle school library and every public library YA collection—especially since Obama is the Democratic nominee. Reviewer: Claire RosserVOYA -
He was eloquent but it was a politician's talk. A Kenyan student made this comment during Barack Obama's 2006 visit to Africa. That trip was meant to be a touching reunion with his father's people but comes across more as a publicity event, part of "The Plan" Obama's advisers have charted for his career. This adaptation of the author's adult-marketed Obama: From Promise to Power (Amistad/HarperCollins, 2008) is a smoothly written account of Senator Obama's life from childhood with a single mother to inspiring presidential candidacy. He is portrayed as a powerfully eloquent speaker with the ability to leave audiences with a renewed sense of hope for their lives and their country. Excerpts from several of his speeches are captivating, but this quick-reading biography dances across the Senator's surface only. There are no specifics concerning either what he has accomplished or what he will do and no list of legislative bills written or sponsored by him although his opposition to the war in Iraq is quite clear. There are few references to his extended family and any struggles he might have because of his mixed-racial heritage. The controversial people in his life are avoided completely or in the case of his pastor Wright, mentioned without including any incendiary comments. Wife Michelle is depicted as his fiercest and most loyal supporter but practical also in her concern over the effect of his career and fame upon his family. In the end, readers have almost more understanding of her than of her husband. Reviewer: Pam CarlsonSchool Library Journal
Gr 6-8
This adaptation of Mendell's adult book Obama: From Promise to Power (HarperCollins, 2007) summarizes the life of Obama through March 2008, describing his upbringing, changing family, education, and political work. The text is accurate and well researched, with endnotes providing citations for each chapter. Captioned black-and-white photographs appear in a centerfold. Though the lack of an index makes this title more appropriate for reading from cover to cover than for research projects, the table of contents does allow youngsters to locate specific times in Obama's life by topic. Brief chapters and accessible vocabulary are appropriate for the intended audience, although adult assistance might be needed for total comprehension of the discussions of how politicians operate in party politics, run campaigns, and hire image-builders. These ideas may be unfamiliar to younger kids, and may need some explanation.-Sara Rofofsky Marcus, Yeshiva Har Torah, Little Neck, NY