Government Book Shelf

Literature Review

Chapter Books for a content integrated read aloud, book groups, or just to recommend to kids who are particularly engaged with the content.

Fault Lines in the Constitution: The Framers, Their Fights, and the Flaws That Affect Us Today by Cynthia Levinson & Sandford Levinson. This nonfiction text would be difficult reading for most middle grade students; however, it can provide a thoughtful and relevant hook for students, with short passages excerpted for close reading, as well as powerful background knowledge for teachers. The idea that the rule of law and the government structure is laid down in the Constitution, but that the Constitution has flaws, provides an interesting, critical lens through which to view our government and the history of law and the role of citizens in this democratic republic. Try using excerpts from this after discussing the Molly Ivins quote shared above. Check out the Constitution’s report card in one of the final sections of the book–see if students agree with those grades.

Capture the Flag by Kate Messner. A fun mystery about three children  stuck at the airport during a blizzard who team up to save a national treasure that has been stolen. The first in a fun series.

 

 

The Kid Who Ran for President by Dan Gutman. A fun read aloud or novel for a book study, this is the story of a twelve year old boy who runs for President of the United States. Funny, interesting, and woven with facts about the Presidency and government, issues and perspectives, and what campaigning for office is like. Also check out the sequel, The Kid Who Became President.

Picture Books to support content learning as a read aloud or as part of an integrated content library, or to function as mentor texts to inspire students to share their learning in a similar format.

Weslandia by Paul Fleischman. Love, love this story of a boy who doesn’t quite fit in, invents his own society, and welcomes others into it. A great introduction to the elements that make up a society, including economics, traditions, values, dress, and celebrations.

 

Shh! We’re Writing the Constitution by Jean Fritz. It’s a bit dry, but the informational description of the process of the Constitutional Convention of 1787 is described with some complexity, character, and humor. My local library has a copy with an audio CD that I may use for short selections with the whole group and additional research for small groups and individuals who are interested.

We the Kids illustrated by David Catrow. The words of the Preamble to the Constitution are broken into phrases with engaging and interesting illustrations. A great read & talk aloud for close reading and discussion of difficult terms and ideas.

 

The Bill of Rights: Protecting Our Freedom Then and Now by Syl Sobel. It’s kind of dense and dry reading; however, it’s surprisingly difficult to find a thoughtful history of the Bill of Rights, with the text of the amendments, and an explanation of the context and importance of them. This is a great resource for research, background knowledge, and studying the relevance of the Bill of Rights to our lives.

That’s Not Fair! Getting to Know Your Rights and Freedoms by Danielle S. McLaughlin. This is one that I have some mixed feelings about: I love the concept, but am conflicted about the success of the execution. All in all, it’s worthwhile to use and can really engage kids in thinking through difficult issues. The text sets up a fictional local government in an insect world and then poses case study type situations and discussions. I think this would best be used as a read aloud in short segments and then thinking through the conflict together as a group and making connections to our federal and state constitutions.

On Our Way to Oyster Bay: Mother Jones and Her March for Children’s Rights by Monica Kulling. Nicely done picture book about the fight against child labor and for children’s education. This is a great hook for the importance of government: it’s easy for kids to complain about and feel frustrated with school. Guiding them through the history of child workers and their exploitation, and then detailing the fight for the right to an education and how that is still ongoing in many parts of the world can be really empowering and inspiring!

How to Build Your Own Country by Valerie Wyatt. This great little “How To” book is the keystone book for my Make Your Own Micronation unit. Fun, thought-provoking, and an integrated look at the way identity, rules & laws, economics, and the roles of government come together.

 

Micronations by Kathy Ceceri. This book is a bit older, longer, and dryer than the one just above, but it is a good additional resource for teachers and kids who are thinking about countries, governments, and the elements that make up our cultures.

 

Words That Built a Nation: Voices of Democracy That Have Shaped America’s History by Marilyn Miller, Ellen Scordato, and Dan Tucker. This essential reference for middle grade government units, provides a section for dozens of documents and speeches that have been critical to our nation over the course of its history. Excerpts from The Mayflower Compact, The Declaration of Independence,  Chief Joseph’s I Will Fight No More Forever, The Immigration Act, Malcolm X’s The Ballot or the Bullet, Richard Nixon’s Resignation, George W. Bush’s Address to the Nation on the September 11th Attacks, and many, many more are included with context, information about the author, and the response to each. An excellent resource for supporting middle grade students in reading and understanding primary documents and their importance.

Imogene’s Last Stand by Candace Fleming. I love everything about this book. Imogene loves history, knows it deeply, and intersperses famous words from history into her speaking. When she discovers that the town’s historical society is about to be torn down, Imogene sets out to save it. A great illustration of the power of passion and activism!

You Wouldn’t Want to Be a Suffragist by Fiona MacDonald. This series is a fun one–part graphic story, part informational text, it engages readers easily with a look at the fight for women’s right to vote.

 

 

The Case for Loving: The Fight for Interracial Marriage by Salina Alko and Sean Qualls. A beautifully rendered picture book about the shockingly recent history of prejudice and injustice against an interracial couple and the Supreme Court case that finally preserved their rights.

 

Lillian’s Right to Vote: A Celebration of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 by Jonah Winter. The moving story of the fight for the right to vote as told by a 100 year old woman on her way to vote, reflecting on her family’s experiences. Lovely illustration, gorgeous text, and metaphor.

 

Around America to Win the Vote: Two Suffragists, a Kitten, and 10,000 Miles by Mara Rockliffe. The true story of Nell Richardson, Alice Burke, and a kitten, who travel the country to raise awareness, educate, and persuade their fellow citizens that women should have the right to vote.

 

Sonia Sotomayor: A Judge Grows in the Bronx by Jonah Winter. The bilingual biography of the first Latino on the U.S. Supreme Court. A great resource for understanding the importance of determination, hard work, and courage, as well as the role of the Supreme Court.

 

A Sweet Smell of Roses by Angela Johnson. An ode to the children who participated in the Civil Rights movement. Gorgeous illustrations, lyrical language, and a moving testament to the leadership of children.

 

The Story of Ruby Bridges by Robert Coles. I love this book and this story so much because of the powerful courage and goodness of a small child–it helps empower children to see that they may very well have to persuade adults and show them how to be just and compassionate. Through My Eyes, Ruby Bridges’ slightly longer memoir with fascinating photographs, and Ruby Bridges, the movie, are also great additions to a classroom discussion about activism, citizenship, and the struggle to expand the rights of citizenship to all Americans.

Sit In: How Four Friends Stood Up by Sitting Down by Andrea Davis Pinkney. The story of the Woolworth Sit-In in Greensboro, North Carolina and its importance in the fight against segregation.

 

 

Separate is Never Equal: Sylvia Mendez and Her Family’s Fight for Desegregation by Duncan Tonatiuh. The story of Sylvia Mendez who helped end segregated education in California nearly ten years before Brown v Board of Education.

 

Breaker Boys: How a Photograph Helped End Child Labor by Michael Burgan. This series is a great resource for talking about primary sources and the power of media and citizenship as it relates to a number of issues. This is a look at the way photographs helped end child labor in the U.S.

 

Little Rock Girl 1957: How a Photograph Changed the Fight for Integration by Shelley Tougas. This is a powerful look at the courage of Elizabeth Eckford, one of the Little Rock Nine, who first integrated the schools in Little Rock, Arkansas despite the angry mob opposing her. Note: be aware that this book includes racist epithets and threats that were made.

I Dissent: Ruth Bader Ginsberg by Debbie Levy. The picture book biography of Supreme Court Justice Ginsberg that celebrates dissent, disagreement, and argument. An homage to those that think differently and critically!

 

Her Right Foot by Dave Eggers. This long picture book is amazing and should be in virtually every K-12 classroom. Fun and yet profoundly thought-provoking, this nonfiction book about the Statue of Liberty pulls in geography, math, history, problem solving, chemistry, poetry, symbolism, and immigration, amongst other things. Tie it all together by contemplating this line with your students: “Liberty and freedom from oppression are not things you get by standing around like some kind of statue. No, these are things that require action, courage, and unwillingness to rest.”

 If I Ran for President by Catherine Stier. Particularly relevant in an election year, this picture book focuses on the process of running for President, including detailing a platform and engaging in debates. It’s a good starting point for discussion and introducing vocabulary, but is sanitized to the point of not really bearing much resemblance to reality. If you use it, I’d encourage you to talk about ideals versus reality…come to think of, that applies to pretty much all social studies curriculum.

Brave Girl: Clara and the Shirtwaist Makers’ Strike of 1909 by Michelle Markel. Gorgeous artwork that integrates stitching and fabric, allows the illustrates to weave together seamlessly with the text (painful puns…sorry!). The biography of an immigrant who becomes a labor activist is a great story to include in discussions of citizenship, rights and responsibilities, and the nature of a democratic government.