No matter what box you filled in at your local polling place on November 4, 2008, you have to admit that President Barack Obama’s story is an interesting one. Having followed his campaign and election closely in the media with my eight-year-old son listening intently by my side, I was excited to take a look at the New York Times Young Reader’s Edition of Obama: The Historic Journey. I was prepared for a photojournalistic gem, and I was not disappointed in the least.
From sharp photographic images of President Obama throughout the campaign, to the slightly fuzzy photos from his youth, the full picture is here. This 96-page book is filled with anecdotes as well as appropriately written articles about his presidential campaign, election and transition. Touching upon President Obama’s childhood and educational experiences, as well as his political path, this book chronicles the unique life of our 44th president. The greatest strength of this book lies in its journalistic presentation of this historic figure in an accessible manner for young readers, while maintaining a serious and professional tone that respects the readers’ growing abilities. My own son has picked this book up several times, thumbing through to passages that are most interesting to him, and I’m thankful that he’s actually showing interest in a current event that doesn’t involve sports or fictional characters!
Obama: The Historic Journey, Young Reader’s Edition will serve as a history book of sorts in our home library, showcasing a memorable time in our nation’s story and an undeniably historic election.
Reading and blogging are two of Dawn’s favorite ‘ings. She calls my thoughts exactly her cyber-home.
It IS so interesting to capitalize on the history that our children are living, and this is/was definitely an historic event.