Overview
The Constitution of the United States is the document that established the basic laws on which the country was built and continues to be run. In this volume, young historians will read about the role the Constitution plays in American life, the history of its creation, and how it is a living document that is interpreted and amended as the country evolves. Readers will also explore both the major ideas included in the document and the realities of putting these principles into practice. Special sections focus on the framers who developed the Constitution, the relationship between the federal government and state governments, and the challenges to the foundation of the United States posed by the necessity of overcoming slavery. A table shows all of the delegates to the critical Constitutional Convention of 1787. Of particular interest is the inclusion of the text of the seven original articles.Discusses the United States Constitution, including how it was written, how it became law, and the historical context of its content. Includes the text of the original seven articles of the document.
Synopsis
The Constitution of the United States is the document that established the basic laws on which the country was built and continues to be run. In this volume, young historians will read about the role the Constitution plays in American life, the history of its creation, and how it is a living document that is interpreted and amended as the country evolves. Readers will also explore both the major ideas included in the document and the realities of putting these principles into practice. Special sections focus on the framers who developed the Constitution, the relationship between the federal government and state governments, and the challenges to the foundation of the United States posed by the necessity of overcoming slavery. A table shows all of the delegates to the critical Constitutional Convention of 1787. Of particular interest is the inclusion of the text of the seven original articles.
Susan Hepler, Ph.D. - Children's Literature
An addition to the "World Almanac Library of American Government" series, this focuses on the fundamental documents that frame government activity, the roles of Federal agencies, and the organizations that influence the government: political parties, media, and lobbyists. Illustrations, drawn from current news sources, archival material, and political cartooning enliven and convey information. Occasional pie charts and graphs extend ideas within the text and provide interpretative discussion material. Where a document is discussed, the complete transcript appears within the text and here it is the Constitution plus the original seven articles. Frequent sidebars introduce related ideas or pocket bibliographies, such as a message from Frederick Douglass, the Federalists and Anti-Federalists' disagreements over states rights, parchment properties, and several "Meet the Framers" profiles of those who drafted this important piece of American history. Each volume features a separate timeline of important events, a glossary, other sources of information, and an index. All in all, it is a clearly written and well-laid out volume. 2004, World Almanac Library, Ages 11 to 14.
Editorials
Children's Literature
An addition to the "World Almanac Library of American Government" series, this focuses on the fundamental documents that frame government activity, the roles of Federal agencies, and the organizations that influence the government: political parties, media, and lobbyists. Illustrations, drawn from current news sources, archival material, and political cartooning enliven and convey information. Occasional pie charts and graphs extend ideas within the text and provide interpretative discussion material. Where a document is discussed, the complete transcript appears within the text and here it is the Constitution plus the original seven articles. Frequent sidebars introduce related ideas or pocket bibliographies, such as a message from Frederick Douglass, the Federalists and Anti-Federalists' disagreements over states rights, parchment properties, and several "Meet the Framers" profiles of those who drafted this important piece of American history. Each volume features a separate timeline of important events, a glossary, other sources of information, and an index. All in all, it is a clearly written and well-laid out volume. 2004, World Almanac Library, Ages 11 to 14.—Susan Hepler, Ph.D.