Barack Obama

April 1, 2010
Gr 6-9-Many books about Obama have been published since his historic election in November 2008, and his compelling background and charismatic personality make for interesting reading. This title is a welcome addition to the group. Krensky excels at providing context not only for Obama's election, but also for his unlikely rise to prominence. Readers learn about his childhood, adolescence, education, and adulthood without losing sight of the tumultuous social and racial changes overtaking America in the second half of the 20th century. DK's powerful photographic format and the usual blurbs and sidebars work well at keeping this age group's interest. This book, especially when paired with Garen Thomas's "Yes We Can" (Feiwel & Friends, 2009) and Jill Abramson's "Obama: The Historic Journey" (Callaway, 2009), provides a solid nucleus for most collections."Tracy H. Chrenka, Forest Hills Public Schools, Grand Rapids, MI"

Copyright 2010 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

April 1, 2010
Grades 5-9 The titles in the DK Biography series set a detailed personal life story within the context of history. Covering Obamas childhood in a multiracial family, his education, and his academic success, Barack Obama also discusses his work as a community organizer in Chicago and his political rise first as senator and then as president, with lots of photographs, including one of Barry on the basketball court, and one with his wife and daughters. Civil rights history is woven throughout in sidebar profiles of those who inspired him, including Martin Luther King Jr., Thurgood Marshall, and Harold Washington. Highly readable, the series design, with highly legible type on thick paper, includes color photographs and prints on every spread; sidebars that detail the political history and important leaders; and spacious back matter with a comprehensive time line, bibliography, and fully documented chapter notes.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2010, American Library Association.)