Overview
Never give up! Go for your dreams!
This generation's inspirational leader has captured the world's attention. This is the moving story of how President Barack Obama began as a timid child, discovered his identity and eventually, grew to be a world leader.
The Obama Story is the inspirational story of America's 44th President in graphic novel form. Young readers can follow along with the future president as he fends off bullies, excels at school and even makes friends with Tata— a surprise that awaits him in Indonesia!
Read how you too, can dream, succeed and achieve your goals!
Dreams can come true!
A graphic novel for children, ages 8-12.
Synopsis
Never give up! Go for your dreams!
This generation's inspirational leader has captured the world's attention. This is the moving story of how President Barack Obama began as a timid child, discovered his identity and eventually, grew to be a world leader.
The Obama Story is the inspirational story of America's 44th President in graphic novel form. Young readers can follow along with the future president as he fends off bullies, excels at school and even makes friends with Tata—a surprise that awaits him in Indonesia!
Read how you too, can dream, succeed and achieve your goals!
Dreams can come true!
A graphic novel for children, ages 8-12.
Children's Literature
Comic book creator T.S. Lee offers a graphic novel interpretation of United States President Barrack Obama's life in this earnest yet sugar-coated biography that focuses on Obama's childhood and young adulthood. Readers get to see cartoonish depictions of Obama's childhood in Indonesia with his step-father Lolo Soetoro, his experiences with racial discrimination overseas and in the United States, and aspects of his strained yet close relationship with his father Barrack Obama, Sr. Lee's Japanese manga-style art does not always work well, as the characters' faces often contort in silly ways during tense moments, detracting from the seriousness of the situation, such as when Obama freaks out before giving a speech by turning blue and sweating profusely. Lee also never lists any sources used for this graphic novel, so only readers who have studied Obama's life will be able to separate the facts from any liberties Lee may have taken. While definitely a kid-friendly book, The Obama Story never finds the right balance between silliness and seriousness, resulting in a rather skewed look at Obama's early years. Reviewer: Michael Jung
Editorials
Children's Literature -
Comic book creator T.S. Lee offers a graphic novel interpretation of United States President Barrack Obama's life in this earnest yet sugar-coated biography that focuses on Obama's childhood and young adulthood. Readers get to see cartoonish depictions of Obama's childhood in Indonesia with his step-father Lolo Soetoro, his experiences with racial discrimination overseas and in the United States, and aspects of his strained yet close relationship with his father Barrack Obama, Sr. Lee's Japanese manga-style art does not always work well, as the characters' faces often contort in silly ways during tense moments, detracting from the seriousness of the situation, such as when Obama freaks out before giving a speech by turning blue and sweating profusely. Lee also never lists any sources used for this graphic novel, so only readers who have studied Obama's life will be able to separate the facts from any liberties Lee may have taken. While definitely a kid-friendly book, The Obama Story never finds the right balance between silliness and seriousness, resulting in a rather skewed look at Obama's early years. Reviewer: Michael JungSchool Library Journal
Gr 6 Up
The Obama Story could have been a satisfactory manhwa biography of the president, but it lacks certain qualities that would make it a first purchase. The full-color, computer-augmented art is bold and does an adequate job of illuminating the story of Obama's childhood, adolescence, and rise to power. For the most part, the text is also fair. Unfortunately, there are no sources listed for the basic facts presented, and many unsupported statements are made in the guise of young Obama's internal thoughts. The translation is also spotty, resulting in strange or even nonsensical phrasing such as, "racial discrimination has been steadily improving in America," "there is invaluable work ahead of him to start a new era," and "A memoir of hope about Barack Obama, the 'black gust of wind' that has shaken the world!" These unfortunate lapses limit the usefulness and appeal of the book.-Douglas P. Davey, Halton Hills Public Library, Ontario, Canada