Becoming: Adapted for Young Readers

Michelle reflects on the experience of living in the White House, comparing it to residing in a grand hotel with no other guests. She tries to maintain a sense of normalcy for Malia and Sasha, encouraging them to act like regular kids despite their surroundings.

Moreover, Michelle recounts some of Barack’s early achievements in office, such as signing the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act. She touches on her various responsibilities, such as ceremonies she hosted—like the Governors’ Ball and the annual Easter Egg Roll—and her desire to modernize and make these events more inclusive. In her first major initiative as First Lady she plants a garden at the White House to promote healthy eating and nutrition.

She visits Buckingham Palace where she meets Queen Elizabeth II. Michelle describes her awe at the grandeur of the palace and her warm interaction with the Queen. She also recounts her visit to the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson School in London, where she connects with the students, recognizing her own past in their experiences and feeling a renewed sense of purpose in her role.

Michelle describes her efforts to balance her personal life with her responsibilities as First Lady. The chapter opens with a special date night in New York City, where she and Barack enjoy a rare evening out. Despite the logistics and security complexities that disrupt normal life for others, the night provides them with a much-needed break to reconnect.

Michelle discusses the challenges of maintaining normalcy for her daughters amidst the formalities and security protocols of the White House. She highlights the limitations imposed by their new life, such as needing to inform the Secret Service before stepping out onto the Truman Balcony. Despite these constraints, they strive to keep family life as normal as possible, encouraging their daughters to engage in regular activities like playing outside and having friends over.

Michelle highlights the White House Garden project, which she initiated to promote healthy eating and combat childhood obesity. The garden quickly becomes a source of pride and joy, producing fresh produce and symbolizing the broader goals of her “Let's Move!” campaign.

Michelle addresses the intense public scrutiny she faces, particularly regarding her fashion choices. Despite the criticism, she remains focused on her larger goals, such as expanding the impact of the “Let's Move!” campaign. Michelle shares her comprehensive strategy to address childhood obesity, involving government, corporate, and community partnerships, and her efforts toward making healthy choices accessible and appealing to children and families across the United States.

Michelle narrates a series of events that illustrate the often stressful life of the First Family. The chapter begins with a vivid dream where Michelle imagines her family being chased by wild animals during an arranged petting zoo on the White House lawn, symbolizing her feelings of vulnerability and the challenges of relying on others for their safety.

Michelle describes the meticulous planning and coordination required for their movements, highlighting the ways their lives are controlled and managed by the Secret Service and government staffers. This level of oversight sometimes makes her feel disconnected from the details of her own life. Despite the security, unpredictability is ever-present, with global crises and domestic challenges requiring constant attention from Barack. The chapter reflects on various disasters and tragedies, such as the Haiti earthquake and the Gulf of Mexico oil spill, illustrating the weight of responsibility on the President and the need for the First Family to project an ethos of calm and compassion.

Michelle visits military hospitals, meeting wounded soldiers, and their families. These encounters deepen her appreciation for the resilience and strength of the military community. The chapter also touches on the political turmoil and personal attacks the Obamas face, including the birther conspiracy led by Donald Trump.

Michelle expresses her frustration and fears over the racist and xenophobic rhetoric that puts her family’s safety at risk. The chapter concludes with a significant moment in American history: the killing of Osama bin Laden. Michelle recounts Barack informing her of the successful mission, reflecting on the national relief and unity it brought.

Michelle describes the whirlwind pace of life as First Lady, filled with constant activities, events, and travel, which often leave her struggling to keep track of time. As Barack’s reelection campaign approaches in 2012, Michelle feels pressure to honor the legacy of influential Black women like Sojourner Truth and Harriet Tubman, as well as her own family history. She pushes herself to excel in her initiatives, like Let’s Move! and Joining Forces, and to ensure every event runs smoothly, all while dealing with the scrutiny and criticism that comes with being a high-profile Black woman.

Despite the political turmoil and economic challenges that Barack faces, Michelle finds moments of inspiration and hope during a goodwill visit to South Africa with her daughters, mother, and nieces. There, they tour historical sites, meet with community leaders, and even have the surreal experience of meeting Nelson Mandela.

Back in the US, Michelle grapples with the political opposition that aims to hinder Barack’s re-election. She refers to the intense anxiety surrounding the 2012 election night, which ultimately sees Barack reelected The victory provided relief and a renewed sense of purpose for the next four years. However, the joy was soon overshadowed by the tragic mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School, a moment that deeply affected both Barack and Michelle.

Michelle talks about her efforts to support communities affected by gun violence, illustrated by her visit to Harper High School in Chicago. This visit followed the tragic death of Hadiya Pendleton, a promising young girl from the South Side who was mistakenly shot by gang members. Michelle attended Hadiya's funeral, hoping to bring attention to the daily reality of gun violence in urban communities.

Michelle reflects on her daughter Malia’s experiences growing up in the White House, highlighting the challenges posed by their public lives. She describes their efforts to protect their daughters’ privacy while allowing them to have typical teenage experiences, including the role of the Secret Service and the media’s interest in their family.

Michelle writes about the political atmosphere surrounding the 2015 presidential campaign, with Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders leading the Democrats and a crowded field of Republican candidates, including Donald Trump, who made controversial remarks about Mexican immigrants. During a tense political race, Michelle focuses on her Let Girls Learn initiative aimed at improving global access to education for adolescent girls. She highlights the struggles girls face in gaining access to education due to poverty, cultural expectations, and safety concerns. Michelle’s advocacy includes high-profile support from celebrities and a memorable appearance on James Corden's “Carpool Karaoke” segment to promote girls’ education.

As the Obamas’ time in the White House draws to a close, Michelle reflects on their legacy. Michelle hopes their presence in the building will be remembered through significant additions like Alma Thomas’s painting, the first by a Black woman in the White House collection, and the White House Garden, which they expanded and dedicated for the future.

Michelle reflects on her emotions and experiences as she and Barack leave the White House on January 20, 2017. She describes her mix of feelings about the day—pride, sadness, and determination to maintain grace and dignity during the transition to the Trump administration. She recalls the final moments in the White House, saying goodbye to the staff and feeling the weight of the diverse, inclusive environment they have fostered being replaced by a less diverse inauguration crowd.

Michelle embraces her newfound freedom from political obligations and focuses on personal growth and reflection. She emphasizes that “becoming” is a continuous process of evolving and improving oneself, rather than achieving a specific goal.

Despite her complicated feelings about politics, Michelle remains deeply concerned about the future of the country, expressing her distress over divisive and harmful political developments. She speaks on the importance of optimism, faith in humanity, and the power of every vote. Finally, she notes the significance of her and Barack’s portraits in the National Portrait Gallery—symbols of their extraordinary journey and the broadening of historical representation.