When deciding what autobiography to select for my Independent Reading Project, I looked to my bookshelf filled with choices. Michelle Obama’s memoir had been sitting on my shelf for over a year, but I never got around to reading it. I could not wait to pick it up and dive into her 

story. Before reading Becoming, I had spent most of the spring and summer reading autobiographies such as: Home Work by Julie Andrews, The Ride of a Lifetime by Bob Iger, and Promise Me, Dad by Joe Biden, but none of these could begin to compare to Becoming. 

If I had to sum up the entire autobiography in one word, it would be: Masterpiece. From cover to cover, I thoroughly enjoyed each and every moment of Obama’s story. Throughout Obama’s life, she faced racism, sexism, and hardships, which are all beautifully illustrated in her memoir. 

In most book reviews you would find a section of what the critic didn’t like about the autobiography, but I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of this book from cover to cover. If you are looking for negativity, this is not the book review for you. 

Michelle Obama (née Robinson) was born on January 17, 1964 to Fraser Robinson III and Marian Lois Robinson on the South Side of Chicago, Illinois in a poor neighborhood. Although she grew up with limited means, Obama had a childhood filled with good memories as she shared a cramped bedroom with her brother Craig in their second story apartment. 

Education was very important to Obama, who studied hard and graduated high school at the top of her class. Against her guidance counselor’s recommendation, Michelle applied to Princeton University, where she would graduate with a degree in sociology, earning high honors. 

Michelle later went to Harvard Law School and then returned to Chicago to work as a lawyer at the Sidley & Austin Law Firm. This is where she met Barack Obama. During this time, she spoke of the opportunities Chicago gave her as a lawyer, which was in stark contrast to her life as a young, poor Black American girl living on the South Side of Chicago.

Michelle and Barack married and started a family, but Michelle was still trying to find her own identity. When Barack wanted to run for president, Michelle debated whether she was okay with putting her career and ambition on hold for him. 

“None of this was his fault, but it wasn’t equal, either, and for any woman who lives by the mantra that equality is important, this can be a little confusing. It was me who’d alter everything, putting my passions and career dreams on hold, to fulfill this piece of our dream. I found myself in a small moment of reckoning. Did I want it? Yes, I wanted it so much” (Obama 189). 

In the last part of her memoir, Michelle takes the reader through her experiences as the First Lady, her initiatives, and the ups and downs of life for eight years living in the White House. 

Throughout the memoir, Michelle Obama spoke about trying to find her identity through her talks of racism, sexism, feminism, and self growth as underlying themes. Though I cannot personally relate to a specific event in this book, Obama sets up the foundation of how one can be successful even through adversity. 

Becoming is a true masterpiece. Obama uses imagery throughout the autobiography that immerses the reader into her life and allows us to feel as if we were actually growing up and living Obama’s life with her. Obama also uses symbols to represent her personal change and growth. When Michelle moved into the White House, she wanted to plant a garden as a representation of her new “Let’s Move!” movement. As the garden flourished, so did her movement. 

“We were taking on a huge issue, but now I had the benefit of operating from a huge platform. I was beginning to realize that all the things that felt odd to me about my new existence—the strangeness of fame, the hawkeyed attention paid to my image, the vagueness of my job description—could be marshaled in service of real goals. I was energized. Here, finally, was a way to show my full self” (Obama 339). 

Obama focuses on many different themes throughout the retelling of her life, but she highlights racial descrimination. Being a Black woman in America, Obama had to deal with adversity and racism that shaped her life. Through a strong and dignified tone, Obama speaks of her life as a 

child in Chicago in a 96% white populated area and at Princeton where she would walk the hallways as the only woman of color. She speaks of the adversity as Barack Obama ran for President and the hate and racism that they faced when they became the First Black Family to occupy the White House. 

So much detail is packed into the 426 page book which makes it a fast and easy read for anyone who wants to learn more about one of America’s Best First Ladies. More specifically, I would recommend this autobiography to any person who wants to be inspired to accomplish their goals. I would also recommend this to anyone who desires to have more insight into the life of a politician or becoming an attorney. Though Obama doesn’t speak to a great extent about either one of these, she still explains her path to becoming a lawyer and then her introduction into politics and public life. 

Michelle Obama’s memoir speaks to many audiences young and old and gives a real life depiction of her journey. Though she would never run for office, Obama has so much to share with the world. 

“Because people often ask, I’ll say it here, directly: I have no intention of running for office, ever” (Obama 419). 

Becoming makes readers feel motivated to reach their maximum potential and accomplish their goals, regardless of circumstances that may stand in their way. Michelle Obama inspires us to become the best version of ourselves. 

~Ethan Kauffman 

Eastern Regional High School 

Class of 2022