Becoming: Adapted for Young Readers

In Michelle’s memoir, the theme of family remains central to shaping her identity, values, and decisions throughout her life. The memoir portrays family not merely as a support system but as the foundation that influences her worldview—a foundation reflected in the structure of her narrative. Michelle opens her story by reflecting on her childhood, growing up on the South Side of Chicago, where she is nurtured by a close-knit family that provides love, support, and the tools to face life’s challenges. She describes her parents, Fraser and Marian Robinson, as pivotal in her upbringing, instilling in her the principles of hard work, integrity, and resilience. These core values form the foundation for Michelle’s aspirations and continue to guide her throughout her journey.

Michelle demonstrates the influence of her family in the way she approaches her own life and decisions, particularly in her roles as a wife and mother. When she marries Barack, she feels she’s not just entering a partnership with a man, but also integrating her deep commitment to family into their shared life. As Barack’s political career begins to rise, Michelle constantly grapples with the tension between the demands of public life and the need to maintain a stable family environment for their daughters, Malia and Sasha.