Michelle’s Garden: How the First Lady Planted Seeds of Change

Gr 1-3–This engaging work of narrative nonfiction follows the story of former First Lady Michelle Obama’s White House kitchen garden project. It includes brief mentions of her family life and childhood but the main focus is the garden and the hopes and goals that inspired it. Particularly special about this work is the focus on a healthy lifestyle. The prose is simple and clear and is most appropriate for younger students. The work is not so simple, however, as to alienate older, elementary-age children. The fun and vivid illustrations portray the action in the book, which supports younger students in comprehension. Drawings are done in line and filled in with watercolorlike colors. This work would be excellent to start a unit where students grow plants. It would also make a great part of a launch to a larger campus project, like a school garden. Back matter includes a photograph of the project, author’s note, and instructions for growing a paper cup plant.