Becoming: Adapted for Young Readers

Becoming is Michelle Obama’s deeply personal memoir that chronicles her journey from a modest upbringing on the South Side of Chicago to becoming the First Lady of the United States. The book offers an intimate look at her challenges, triumphs, and the life lessons she learned along the way, emphasizing themes of The Role of Family, The Importance of Believing in Oneself, and Balancing Personal and Professional Life. In 2022, Michelle Obama followed this memoir with The Light We Carry: Overcoming in Uncertain Times, a self-help book intended to help readers through the challenges of life in the 21st century.

This guide refers to the 2021 Penguin Random House edition, Adapted for Young Readers.

Summary

In Becoming, Michelle Obama reflects on her journey of self-discovery, resilience, and the roles of family, identity, and balance in shaping her life. This guide is divided into three parts: Part 1 covers the Preface and Chapters 1 through 8, Part 2 includes Chapters 9 through 18, and Part 3 addresses Chapters 19 through 24, and the Epilogue.

In Part 1, Michelle recounts her early life in the South Side neighborhood of Chicago, detailing her formative experiences within a close-knit, hardworking family.