A Kids' Guide to America's Bill of Rights - by Kathleen Krull (Paperback)

About the Book

Examines the ten amendments to the United States Constitution that make up the Bill of Rights, explaining what the amendments mean, how they have been applied, and the rights they guarantee.

Book Synopsis

Which 462 words are so important that they've changed the course of American history more than once? The Bill of Rights: the first ten amendments to the Constitution, the crucial document that spells out how the United States is to be governed.

Packed with anecdotes, sidebars, case studies, suggestions for further reading, and humorous illustrations, Kathleen Krull's introduction to the Bill of Rights brings an important topic vividly to life. Whether you're a middle grader or high schooler or even an adult, and whether you're looking to expand your knowledge or to reearch a report, the format of this "kids' guide" makes the information understandable and interesting.

Find out what the Bill of Rights is and how it affects your daily life in this fascinating look at the history, significance, and mysteries of these laws that are designed to protect the individual freedoms of Americans--including young people.

Some of the questions addressed in this easy-to-follow book:

Why did early American founders argue that individuals needed a Bill of Rights to protect them from government?Why is freedom of speech so thrilling and so controversial?What is religious intolerance, and when can it be fatal?What does it really mean to take the Fifth?How does the Bill of Rights affect the rights of kids?

From the Back Cover

Packed with anecdotes and sidebars, case studies, humorous illustrations, and all-new material, Kathleen Krull's introduction brings the Bill of Rights vividly to life.

• What is the Bill of Rights, and how does it affect your daily life?

• Why did the Founding Fathers think that we needed a Bill of Rights?

• Why is freedom of speech such a big deal?

• What does it really mean to take the Fifth?

• How does the Bill of Rights affect the rights of kids?

The True Revised and Updated Story of the Bill of Rights!

Review Quotes

"This isn't your average history book....This book is great if you want a simple place to start learning about the Bill of Rights, need to understand it better, or you're just a bit rusty and need a good review." - National Geographic for Kids
"Every school library should own A KIDS' GUIDE TO AMERICA'S BILL OF RIGHTS. Krull describes the Bill of Rights as 462 words that help you make sense out of your everyday life. The writing is engaging and teenagers will identify with the Bill of Rights as topics such as curfews and censorship are presented. Her book also appeals to the middle-school audience with interesting trivia." - Newsweek
"Beginning with the text of the Bill of Rights and an overview of its history and importance, the book is divided into chapters that focus on each amendment. Legal cases (often involving children's rights) are well explained, and helpful websites and phone numbers are included. Final chapters discuss later amendments and constitutional controversies. The casual prose and amusing illustrations make this a kid-friendly introduction." - The Horn Book