%20cover.png)
Many public discussions center around the U. S. Constitution, the document that frames how our national government works. It can be daunting to try to understand its contents; it was adopted in 1787 and has been added to twenty-seven times since then. We know that the initial words of the Constitution – “We the People” – convey that our government is formed with the intention of serving the people of the United States. That’s a big job. Aura Lewis and Evan Sargent, in We the People: The United States Constitution Explored and Explained, provide an excellent source for learning how the Constitution does (and sometimes does not) provide guidelines for our government.
This helpful book is arranged chronologically: a description of our three branches of government is followed by the Preamble and the first seven articles of the Constitution and so on. Readers may wonder what a “preamble” is; the authors take care to define terms that may be new, within the narrative or in a glossary at the book’s end (for example, the preamble is “the opening statement of the original Constitution”). Double-page spreads clearly and concisely state the essence of and explain each Article, then the first ten Amendments called the Bill of Rights, and then move through each of the eleventh through twenty-seventh Amendments. Whew. But each part of the Constitution is not merely explained clearly and concisely. All the way through, the text invites thoughtful discussion with questions to the reader, such as “What do you think?” after the review of a concept, and “If you could be in one of the three branches of government, which would you choose and why?” Clear cross-references among pages lead readers to related facts on a topic without disrupting the narrative at hand. The pull and tug of authority (for example, between federal and states’ interests) and other knotty issues such as voting rights are addressed. Fun facts are sprinkled throughout, providing interesting information even adults aren’t likely to know! Numerous sidebars highlight historical and contemporary facts about people and events that enhance the story of our Constitution’s implementation through the years.
All this information appears in graphically captivating form, with succinct and interesting text, Aura Lewis’s colorful illustrations, clear headlines and bold highlights. An activist message is conveyed throughout, encouraging readers to consider their role in contributing to the conversation about our nation’s values, laws, policies and practices. It is an excellent introduction to a foundational document. Ages 9 and up. Wide Eyed Editions / Quarto Group, 2020.
Take a look at the original Constitution and find additional resources at our National Archives.
