The Bill of Rights: Protecting Our Freedom Then and Now

By Syl Sobel J.D.

This easy-to-read book about the United States for kids brings history and social studies classes to life as readers learn about the Bill of Rights, how they came to be, and what they mean. Here is a book that will be valued by teachers and enjoyed by young students.

Parents, teachers, and gift givers will find:

• a clear explanation of each of the amendments
• fascinating facets of American constitutional history and law
• a book that makes the Bill of Rights relevant to kids' lives

By 1787, the leaders of America's 13 newly-created states that had just won their independence from Britain convened to draw up the Constitution of the United States. However, citizens of many of the states feared that a new American government could take away certain of their rights, just as the British had done when they were colonies. It was soon agreed to add a series of ten amendments to the Constitution in order to guarantee specific rights to all citizens and states.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Sourcebooks
• Release date: May 16, 2008
• ISBN: 9780764192647

Syl Sobel J.D.

Syl Sobel, J.D., is Director, Publications & Media Division, Federal Judicial Center, Washington, D.C. He is also the author of How the U.S. Government Works, The U.S. Constitution and You, and Presidential Elections, all available from B.E.S.

Book preview

The

Bill of Rights

Protecting Our Freedom

Then and Now

To the students, teachers, and parents of Thurgood Marshall

Elementary School, Gaithersburg, Maryland

Thanks for your encouragement and support!

Acknowledgments

I wish to thank my colleague, Dr. Bruce Ragsdale, for reviewing this book at several stages and providing valuable suggestions. My wife, Joan, and daughters, Marissa and Isabel, read various versions with critical eyes and offered sound advice. Any errors that may appear in the text are entirely mine.

Copyright © 2008 by Barron’s Educational Series, Inc.

All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced or distributed in any form or by any means without the written permission of the copyright owner.

All inquiries should be addressed to:

Peterson’s Publishing, LLC

8740 Lucent Boulevard, Suite 400

Highlands Ranch, CO 80129

www.petersonsbooks.com

ISBN: 978-0-7641-4021-1

Library of Congress Catalog Card No. 2008004774

Contents

Introduction

A Confederation of States

The Constitutional Convention

Many Disagreements

Federalism, Separation of Powers, Checks and Balances, and Other Compromises

The People’s Rights

Approving the Constitution

Adding the Bill of Rights

First Amendment—Freedom of Religion, Freedom of Speech, Freedom of the Press, Freedom of Assembly, and Freedom to Petition

Second Amendment—Right to Keep and Bear Arms

Third Amendment—Right Not to Quarter Soldiers

Fourth Amendment—Protection from Unreasonable Searches and Seizures

Fifth Amendment—Guarantees Due Process of Law and Protection from Testifying Against Yourself

Sixth Amendment—Right to Fair, Speedy, Public Trial by Jury

Seventh Amendment—Right to Jury Trial in Cases That Are Not Crimes

Eighth Amendment—Right to Bail and No Cruel or Unusual Punishments

Ninth Amendment—Rights of the People

Tenth Amendment—Rights of the States

Conclusion

Glossary

Selected Bibliography

Index

Introduction

Have you ever heard someone say, It’s a free country?

Reviews for The Bill of Rights

[mssan5 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Barrons always has great books for students to read. It makes learning about the Bill of Rights easier such as by breaking it up and focusing on the different amendments. It shows the differences and similiarities of how we protect our freedom now compared to how it was protected in the past.