The Constitution Decoded - by Katie Kennedy (Paperback)

About the Book

The ultimate guide to the US Constitution--and the history of the US through the law of the land--for middle grade readers ages 10+. The book decodes the original document with a direct translation of the text, dissecting every word, phrase and idea. Then it connects the document to major historical figures and events using full-color illustrations and examples of how the document works in practice.

Book Synopsis

Be an active citizen. Know your Constitution!

Ever wonder why the president has a Cabinet? Why there's such thing as trial by jury? Why someday you'll have to pay income tax, or why there are no Dukes, Duchesses, Counts, or Countesses in the United States? Because the Constitution says so--and so much more. And now, in The Constitution Decoded, the ideas, concepts, and rules that make America are unpacked and explained in detail to help all of us, kids and parents too, become more informed citizens.

Written with impeccable clarity and illustrated in a style that brings America's early days to life, this fascinating guide goes through the Constitution literally word by word, sentence by sentence, and idea by idea to give readers a true understanding of not only how the Framers envisioned the United States, but also why they made the choices they did. Here's why, for example, the United States has three branches of government--legislative, executive, and judicial. It explains how bills become laws, why we have the right to free speech, how we can change the Constitution as our country evolves, and so much more.

Packed with historical context and figures, vocabulary, anecdotes, and trivia, this book is an accessible yet richly layered work that belongs in every family library.

Review Quotes

"Kennedy admirably decodes a document that's not easily decipherable." - Booklist

About the Author

Katie Kennedy teaches history at a college in Iowa, although she and her husband devote most of their time to taking care of a small black dog and a large gray cat. She's the author of the young adult novels Learning to Swear in America and What Goes Up. She lives in Marshalltown, Iowa.

Vetter Kermit Roosevelt teaches constitutional law at the University of Pennsylvania Law School. He is the author of two novels, Allegiance and In the Shadow of the Law, and a book about the Supreme Court, The Myth of Judicial Activism. He lives in Philadelphia, PA.

Ben Kirchner is an illustrator in Bath, England. He takes inspiration from mid-century illustration, and loves to use detail and body language to develop character on the page. He has worked for a wide range of publishing companies and news organizations, including The Chicago Tribune, the New Yorker, and the Washington Post.