The U. S. Constitution

Children's Literature - Mary Hynes-Berry

This easy-read history book is patently designed for the educational market—it has all the requisite paraphernalia of chapter headings, glossary and index. More specifically, it is targeted for below-level readers in schools who are trying to comply with a federal mandate that all schools observe Constitution Day on September 17 each year. At best, this book offers a pabulum approach to history that does little to develop a young child's understanding of what this visionary document means to the way our history has played out. It's hard to see that the book even meets its reading level goals: the accompanying promotional material claims the vocabulary is carefully controlled; but the fact is that terms such as federalist, judicial, legislature are difficult for many adults, much less struggling readers, to pronounce much less understand. Illustrations that vary from period paintings to photos offer some feel for the early years of our country. The text is also dotted with fairly trivial "Fun Facts" such as the information that Benjamin Franklin was 81 when he signed the constitution. Ultimately however, for developmental reasons, primary students will have trouble understanding a topic as complex as the US Constitution and older students may be turned off by the marked "easy read" feel of this book. "First Facts" series.