Obama: A Promise of Change
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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. From veteran Chicago Tribune journalist David Mendell comes a rich portrait of Obama's life up until his decision to run for president. An afterword looks at Obama's presidential campaign through the Ohio primary, and a photo insert lets readers see history in the making. This book is adapted from Obama: From Promise to Power, winner of an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work.KLIATTThe 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 Rosser
Acknowledgments ixGot Some Game 1Dreams from His Mother 4"Just Call Me Barry" 9The Mainland 18The Organizer 27Harvard 34Sweet Home Chicago 41Politics 49The Legislator 54The Candidate 61The Consultant 67The Race Factor 75The Small Screen 83A Victory 90The Ryan Files 97The Speech 102Back to Illinois 110The Senator 117South Africa 127Nairobi 135Siaya: A Father's Home 143LeBron Revisited 157Afterword 165Notes 168
