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Who Was . . . ? Series
Who Is Barack Obama?
As the world now knows, Barack Obama has made history as our first African-American president.
With black-and-white illustrations throughout, this biography is perfect for primary graders looking for a longer, fuller life story than is found in the author's bestselling beginning reader: Barack Obama: United States President.
With black-and-white illustrations throughout, this biography is perfect for primary graders looking for a longer, fuller life story than is found in the author's bestselling beginning reader: Barack Obama: United States President.
112 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
320 people are currently reading
1072 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 181 reviews
November 1, 2019
I liked to know some facts about Obama's family and his life! A very interesting and easy children's book for improving my English.
June 10, 2011
This is one in a series of fantastic biographies written just for children. Every biography I have read in the series has been very well-done and my children LOVE them. They are written on a 3rd grade independent reading level but are also great read alouds. Easy to read, perfect length for younger children, and excellent introduction to the lives of some very interesting people. Check them all out!
February 7, 2017
Who Is Barack Obama? by Roberta Edwards is another great book in the series. I did learn some things in here I didn't know about him. It is a great book about a good man and a great President. It is not one of the better books but it is darn good.
February 8, 2017
Who is Barack Obama? is a great chapter book for intermediate level readers who want to learn more about the first African American president’s life and presidency of the United States. This biography allows students to learn more about Obama’s life before office with some black-and-white pictures at the top of each chapter. It also entails a table of contents and index to help the reader find specific parts of Obama’s life, or find a term on a specific page. There is an additional timeline of Obama’s accomplishments throughout the book.
As I searched the bookshelf for a good fiction book about presidency, I found When Penny Met Potus written by Rachel Ruiz. This brightly illustrated story is about a girl whose mother works for POTUS. The girl imagines all the fun activities she and POTUS can do together, showing students that no dream is too big to dream.
While Who is Barack Obama? is a book for intermediate level readers, I believe When Penny Met Potus is a great read-aloud story to share with any age group to think about and discuss what the president's tasks and responsibilities are. I believe these two books fit very nicely together, as they allow students to understand a deeper understanding of the president, and that even they, too, have a life outside of their job.
As I searched the bookshelf for a good fiction book about presidency, I found When Penny Met Potus written by Rachel Ruiz. This brightly illustrated story is about a girl whose mother works for POTUS. The girl imagines all the fun activities she and POTUS can do together, showing students that no dream is too big to dream.
While Who is Barack Obama? is a book for intermediate level readers, I believe When Penny Met Potus is a great read-aloud story to share with any age group to think about and discuss what the president's tasks and responsibilities are. I believe these two books fit very nicely together, as they allow students to understand a deeper understanding of the president, and that even they, too, have a life outside of their job.
April 2, 2017
Sigh, how I miss you, Barack Obama. History will be kind to you.
November 19, 2016
1. Who is....?
2. 90min.
3.Obana, Hawai, Colombia university, became, first, president
4. a)Losing a parent is always hard, no matter how old a child is.
b)I really agree with this sentence. Obama lost his father when he was a child. But I think this situation worked for him because he thought about his life deeply after that. For ordinary children, this situation is hard and sad. But in his case, it was not only sad.
5. I think he had hard time when he was a child because of discrimination. Needless to say, his skin is black. There are many people who discriminate people whether black or white. It was common in old days. But even in Japan, when we saw a foreigner, some people feel strange. Some people say, "Look, s/he is a foreigner." I think it makes them feel bad. Many people care about nationality. I would say there is no difference between in case of black and white and nationality.
Obama is a man who became a first black president. I think he did a great work!!
2. 90min.
3.Obana, Hawai, Colombia university, became, first, president
4. a)Losing a parent is always hard, no matter how old a child is.
b)I really agree with this sentence. Obama lost his father when he was a child. But I think this situation worked for him because he thought about his life deeply after that. For ordinary children, this situation is hard and sad. But in his case, it was not only sad.
5. I think he had hard time when he was a child because of discrimination. Needless to say, his skin is black. There are many people who discriminate people whether black or white. It was common in old days. But even in Japan, when we saw a foreigner, some people feel strange. Some people say, "Look, s/he is a foreigner." I think it makes them feel bad. Many people care about nationality. I would say there is no difference between in case of black and white and nationality.
Obama is a man who became a first black president. I think he did a great work!!
January 31, 2017
This is a fairly short chapter book that is appropriate for elementary age children (grades K through 5). It is important to understand a person's background, and this book provides information on Barack that will inspire children from all walks of life.
February 27, 2020
I loved it.
May 27, 2023
I have a deep respect for this man and his family. I’m going to be reading a lot of books about them and wanted to kick it off with my favorite kids series! Good for ages 8+.
June 15, 2018
Barack Obama showed great bravery thought his whole term and his way going up to that he was the first black president and that did not stop him from become what he became the president of the United states for two terms
July 2, 2021
obama
April 3, 2019
I think that the book “Who is Barack Obama” by Roberta Edwards is a great book and is recommended for kids 10 and up. This book is about Barack Obama’s life so far. Barack Obama was born in Honolulu, Hawaii in 1961. Then after leaving his son for many years, Barack’s dad returns for a visit since he left to Kenya. Then after a few years, Barack goes to Kenya and meets his father's family. That same year (1988) he meets Michelle Robinson and marries her in 1992. He graduates from Columbia University in 1983 and from Harvard Law School in 1991. He is elected to the Illinois State Senate in 1996. Daughter Malia was born in 1998 and daughter Sasha was born in 2001. He became an US senator for Illinois in 2005. He wrote two books, one in 1995 and the other in 2006. In 2009, he became the first African American President of the United States and is also awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. He signed the American Care Act into law in 2010. In 2012, he is reelected to a second term as President of the United States.
October 10, 2021
I’ve browsed through a few of these since grabbing a bunch for the library. Book did a good job covering most of the biographical basics. But I’d love to see some more variety with the sentence structure and writing, even if it is for kids. They won’t learn to write better if they don’t read better. Also, for still-living people, I think the company needs to update these ones. You can tell this was published before 2012.
May 20, 2017
Barack Obama was the 44th president of the United States of America. When he was little he played basketball in high school and he was good. he wanted to get highter up so he ran for the state senet and he won so then he wanted to run for President and he won so on January 20, 2009 he was sworn in as the 44th president of the United States of America.
May 4, 2017
For someone with such charisma, such as the subject of this book, the writing came up short and choppy. Maybe a lot was edited out but I found it disjointed.
August 22, 2017
Such an incredible human!
November 9, 2017
This book is very inspirational and good I would say its just very good
June 17, 2025
Such a easy read and you learn a-lot of the history of Obama. Happy with this garage sale find.
December 31, 2023
Good short read
December 7, 2022
An inspiring book although a very short one. Unlike many other non-fiction books, this one kept me turning from page to page and after finishing it, i want to know more about President Obama, Martin Luther King and their speeches. I think all kids should read books like this and then discuss it with their parents or teacher. They would learn so much not only about how the US goverment works but also about the power of pursuing one's dream, hard working and "being the change you want to see in the world".
February 6, 2019
Who Was Barack Obama is a outstanding book, it has the perfect mixture of his childhood and adulthood. While we all now he was the first African American president, did you know that he was a broke college that stocked shelves at his local supermarket. He also grew up in Hawaii and had to live through a very tough childhood. Even though he had many struggles growing up he persevered and became the first black president. I would recommend this book to anyone it is one of the best books I've read.
October 13, 2016
Who is Barack Obama by Roberta Edwards explains many things about the current day president! The book starts out with a surprising fact about Obama; because his dad left him at a young age, his mom and grandparents had to take care of him. Through out the presidents life, he occasionally saw his dad again, the last time being when he was 10 years of age. This book explains many things about how Barack got into politics in the first place, and how he could've been a possible leader. It also explains Barack's passion for helping others, most notably in Illinois, when he would help the poor. Barack originally wanted to become the president, so he attended law school to meet "high up people", which he did. He soon went on to run for senator of Illinois, and won by a land slide. In fact, the second time he ran, no one even ran against him! The book explains how he "climbed the ranks" of being a politician, and eventually got elected for President of the United States. After this, the book leaves off because the story isn't quite finished yet.
I personally really enjoyed this book, and found it easy to read, yet very entertaining and factual. In my opinion, this book tells more about the current President of the United States than any other I have read, and keeps it easy to read at the same time. I honestly really enjoyed this book, and I'm sure i'll read another in the series.
This book would be something awesome for anyone of any age (starting at 4th grade). The reason I say this is anyone in the United States should know more about who's running their country, and people outside of the States should read it to understand America more, and how we're being ran. Anyone of any audience would without a doubt love to read this book, and would enjoy it!
I personally really enjoyed this book, and found it easy to read, yet very entertaining and factual. In my opinion, this book tells more about the current President of the United States than any other I have read, and keeps it easy to read at the same time. I honestly really enjoyed this book, and I'm sure i'll read another in the series.
This book would be something awesome for anyone of any age (starting at 4th grade). The reason I say this is anyone in the United States should know more about who's running their country, and people outside of the States should read it to understand America more, and how we're being ran. Anyone of any audience would without a doubt love to read this book, and would enjoy it!
January 15, 2016
This is a great autobiographical series for kids jam packed with important facts and fun illustrations to help drive home points. 5 stars.
June 19, 2016
It's a quick look at Obama's life. Written very positively and organized in a way that allows for explanations of prevalent historical issues not to digress.
February 16, 2023
"His hope was for all Americans—Republican, Democrat, white, black, old, and young—to work..."
"His hope was for all Americans—Republican, Democrat, white, black, old, and young—to work together to make our country stronger and better."
This Who Was? Book offers a nice introduction to the life, and political career, of President Obama. From his childhood when he lived overseas and his mother worried about his English history and language lessons, to his relationship with his father who he rarely saw, this book paints the portrait of a man who often felt like an "outsider" because he was different from those around him.
His childhood formed a man who sees everyone, wants to help others, and wasn't afraid to put in the work whether it was begrudgingly waking up early to study English and US history, or going to Law School when he realized he could do more to help those in need as a lawyer.
This book does not attempt to present President Obama as perfect, it shares regrets he carried (may still carry) for decades, as, for instance, he came to view priorities through a mature adult's eyes.
"His hope was for all Americans—Republican, Democrat, white, black, old, and young—to work together to make our country stronger and better."
This Who Was? Book offers a nice introduction to the life, and political career, of President Obama. From his childhood when he lived overseas and his mother worried about his English history and language lessons, to his relationship with his father who he rarely saw, this book paints the portrait of a man who often felt like an "outsider" because he was different from those around him.
His childhood formed a man who sees everyone, wants to help others, and wasn't afraid to put in the work whether it was begrudgingly waking up early to study English and US history, or going to Law School when he realized he could do more to help those in need as a lawyer.
This book does not attempt to present President Obama as perfect, it shares regrets he carried (may still carry) for decades, as, for instance, he came to view priorities through a mature adult's eyes.
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February 19, 2021Who Is Barack Obama by Robert Edwards is great book to read to students in the younger elementary grade classes. For my Kindergarten class I think that this book is great to read because it's a great way to learn more about our First African American President. This books shows how not only was a Barack an amazing president but a great man overall. They mention some interesting facts about his life that usually you wouldn't read about on a normal.It shows his life before office as well as pictures to follow along. Even thought the text may be a little advance students can be exposed to it to help with the vocabulary and phonic comprehension. A great time to read this book to the class would be during February for Black History Month and even President's Day. This book is great to read in general when speaking about different careers choices and famous inspirational influencers. This book is a great crossover into a Social Studies lesson as well.
May 30, 2019
“Who Is Barack Obama” by Roberta Edwards is a very descriptive book that talks about Barack from a young age to adulthood. The book talks about Obama from the time he was growing up, to when a graduated Harvard University as a top student being very smart, to the time he met Michelle Obama, to the time he became president of the United States and ran for 8 years. Some interesting facts about Barack Obama are that he has 2 kids named Malia and Sasha. Another cool fact is that he had a nickname growing up which was “ Barry O’Bomber. In my honest opinion, I found this book not really interesting and a bit boring compared to the other books of this series. I would recommend this book to people who like to learn about presidents, or to people who want to learn about the life of Barack Obama.
April 4, 2025
This book is included in PEN America's Index of Banned & Challenged Books and was generously donated by a friend as part of an initiative to distribute banned books to Little Free Libraries in my community.
I continue to be impressed with this series of biographies for kids. They focus on important current and historical figures and do so in a way that is both informative and entertaining. I enjoyed the illustrations and the smaller sidebar sections about various events and time periods throughout Black history. There is also no particular "political agenda" to this book, so if anyone tries to claim otherwise, it's safe to assume they're just still struggling to get over the idea of a president who wasn't an old white man.
I look forward for passing this book along for a young reader to enjoy.
I continue to be impressed with this series of biographies for kids. They focus on important current and historical figures and do so in a way that is both informative and entertaining. I enjoyed the illustrations and the smaller sidebar sections about various events and time periods throughout Black history. There is also no particular "political agenda" to this book, so if anyone tries to claim otherwise, it's safe to assume they're just still struggling to get over the idea of a president who wasn't an old white man.
I look forward for passing this book along for a young reader to enjoy.
January 1, 2018
This was an interesting book, just like the other books in the Who? What? Where? series. I love that these biographies are short chapter books that are easy to go through. I want to read as many books as possible in this series to recommend to my students.
Obama is half white and half black and not a Muslim like many people think. Regardless, he is a hardworking and dedicated person who wanted to help people way before he became president.
Although he was against the war in Iraq as this book claims it doesn't make sense why he chose Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State. She had to deal with other countries like Iraq and he already knew she was in favor of the war in Iraq.
This biography is still worth reading and one I will be sharing with my 3rd grade students.
Obama is half white and half black and not a Muslim like many people think. Regardless, he is a hardworking and dedicated person who wanted to help people way before he became president.
Although he was against the war in Iraq as this book claims it doesn't make sense why he chose Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State. She had to deal with other countries like Iraq and he already knew she was in favor of the war in Iraq.
This biography is still worth reading and one I will be sharing with my 3rd grade students.
September 22, 2019
I loved Who Is Michelle Obama? and was wildly impressed with her, so I was excited to see the other half of the Obama equation.
I have to say that while I do find Obama's life interesting, I wasn't as impressed by him as I was by Michelle. He just seemed more like someone who wanted to be in charge, not someone who wanted to make things better. Michelle came across as this genuinely good person, I just didn't get the same feeling from this book.
One thing Obama did have was drive. He didn't give up. He knew what he wanted and he went for it. That is something that is always impressive.
I have to say that while I do find Obama's life interesting, I wasn't as impressed by him as I was by Michelle. He just seemed more like someone who wanted to be in charge, not someone who wanted to make things better. Michelle came across as this genuinely good person, I just didn't get the same feeling from this book.
One thing Obama did have was drive. He didn't give up. He knew what he wanted and he went for it. That is something that is always impressive.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 181 reviews