“A fascinating, thoughtful, and provocative look at what in the Constitution keeps the United States from being ‘a more perfect union.’” ―Kirkus Reviews, STARRED REVIEW

“Insightful… Much food for thought on the application and relevance of many of the Constitution’s stipulations. Essential for class discussions, debate teams, and reports.” ―School Library Journal, STARRED REVIEW

“Lately there’s been dismay that civics, government, and history have taken a backseat in classrooms. This smartly conceived book goes a long way toward reintroducing students to those subjects….the Levinsons link both history and current events as they offer an illustrative group of examples that show where the Constitution got it right—and wrong…. Although the font, charts, and well-written text make this appealing, it’s not always an easy read. It is, however, an important one.” ―Booklist, STARRED REVIEW  

“Interest-piquing anecdotes open each chapter, the effects of the Constitution’s provisions are dramatically summarized in poster-like illustrations, and the ensuing discussions…are both cogent and highly readable…thought-provoking and exceptionally topical…” ―Publishers Weekly, STARRED REVIEW

[show_more more=”Read More” less=”Read Less”]

“It’s an excellent introduction to the strengths and weaknesses of our founding document and is especially enlightening for those who don’t yet understand how our government is supposed to work.” —Laurie Halse Anderson, New York Times

“This provocative and fascinating book brought the Constitution to life for me and made me question my deepest assumptions about our country. The questions it raises became an essential part of the debate in my play What the Constitution Means to Me, and I wish every student in America would read it.” —Heidi Schreck, playwright & creator of Pulitzer Prize finalist What the Constitution Means to Me

“Chatty, conversational, and very provocative, this fascinating book takes our revered document and opens it up to examination and debate…. Throw out the high school textbooks and put this outstanding book in the hands of the next generation!” ―The Booklist Reader

“While written for students, the book is a worthwhile read for adults as well.” ―School Library Connection

[/show_more]

Parents’ Choice Gold Award ―Parents’ Choice Foundation, 2017

Eureka! Nonfiction Children’s Book Award Silver Honor ―California Reading Association, 2017

Notable Children’s Books ―ALSC, 2018

Best Children’s Books of the Year ―Bank Street College of Education, 2018

[show_more more=”Read More” less=”Read Less”]

Building a Home Library (Ages 12-14) ―ALA, Children’s Book Council, 2018

Capitol Choices Noteworthy Books for Children and Teens―Capitol Choices, 2018

Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People ―National Council for the Social Studies/Children’s Book Council, 2018

Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People ―National Council for the Social Studies/Children’s Book Council, 2020

Orbis Pictus Outstanding Nonfiction for Children Award (Recommended Book) ―National Council of Teachers of English, 2018

Texas Topaz Nonfiction Reading List ―Texas Library Association, 2019

Garden State Teen Book Awards (Nominee, Nonfiction for Grades 6-12) ―New Jersey Library Association, 2019

Massachusetts Book Awards (Honor Book) ―Massachusetts Center for the Book, 2018

Writers’ League of Texas Book Awards (Finalist, Middle Grade/Young Adult)―Writers’ League of Texas, 2017

[/show_more]

Cynthia Levinson holds degrees from Wellesley College and Harvard University and also attended the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs. A former teacher and educational policy consultant and researcher, she is the author of the award-winning and critically-acclaimed We’ve Got a Job: The 1963 Birmingham Children’s March. She has also published articles in Appleseeds, Calliope, Cobblestone, Dig, Faces, and Odyssey.  You can visit her website here.

Sanford Levinson is an American legal scholar, a professor in the Law School and the Department of Government at the University of Texas, and a frequent visiting professor at Harvard Law School. He holds degrees from Duke, Stanford, and Harvard universities and is the author of several adult works of nonfiction.