The U.S. Constitution and You

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 U.S. Constitution. 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 the Constitution
• vocabulary words that align with curriculum
• a book that makes the Constitution relevant to kids' lives

Do you know how the U.S. Constitution works to protect you, your friends, and your family? It gives you and every American citizen many rights including the right to vote, as well as to enjoy freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom to worship—or not worship—according to your beliefs, to disagree openly with government policy, and to defend yourself in courts of law. You'll learn about our rights as a citizen...and also learn which rights are reserved for the state and the community where you live.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Sourcebooks
• Release date: Sep 1, 2019
• ISBN: 9781438083322

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

To Mom and Dad

Thanks for your love, support, encouragement, and a house full of books.

Acknowledgments

I wish to thank Judge Robert Katzmann, Judge Fern Smith, Dr. Bruce Ragsdale, and Dr. Russell Wheeler for reviewing some or all of the manuscript and for providing thoughtful comments and suggestions. Susan, Julia, and Caroline Morgan, Glen Palman and Rebecca Fanning also reviewed the manuscript, and I benefited from their advice. My wife and children are careful editors and researchers and help me write to my audience. Anna Damaskos and Angela Tartaro make my books readable and easy on the eyes.

Text © copyright 2012, 2001 by Barron’s Educational Series, Inc. and Syl Sobel, J.D.

Illustrations © copyright 2012, 2001 by Barron’s Educational Series, Inc.

First eBook publication February 2012.

All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the written permission of the copyright owner.

All inquiries should be addressed to:

Barron’s Educational Series, Inc.

250 Wireless Boulevard

Hauppauge, New York 11788

www.barronseduc.com

ISBN: 978-0-7641-4794-4

eISBN: 978-1-4380-8332-2

Library of Congress Control Number: 2011934081

Contents

Introduction

The Rules for the Government

Three Branches of Government

Checks and Balances

The People’s Powers

Changing the Constitution

The Rights of the People

The Rights of the States

The Constitution and You

Glossary

Resource Guide

Introduction

If you lived in the United States in 1787, you would have been part of a great adventure. The United States was a very new country. It had declared its independence from England in 1776 and won its independence in 1783. You would have been living in a country that was just starting out.