Creating the Constitution: 1787

by Christopher Collier and James Lincoln Collier

Book Overview

Compelling Series by Two Newbery Honor Winning Authors Who Demonstrate How Dramatic History can be by Focusing on Key Historical and Political Events a Well as Sociological Issues.

• Format: Library Binding
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0761407766
• ISBN13: 9780761407768
• Release Date: May 1998
• Publisher: Cavendish Square Publishing
• Length: 95 Pages
• Weight: 0.95 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 7.7" x 9.3"
• Age Range: 10 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 5 and higher

Customer Reviews

Concise explanation of the history of the US Constitution

Concise, but powerful. This book puts the year 1787 in context, explaining the failure of the Articles of Confederation to address the many problems of the new American nation. The two most powerful chapters are "Compromises" detailing the debate over the Constitution and "Principles" which details the ideas written into the Constitution. The "Compromises" chapter makes vivid the most important divisions in the Convention and how they were bridged to reach consensus. The "Principles" chapter rather than listing the Articles and ammendments, instead highlights ideas like unalienable rights, social contract, rule of people, federalism, nationalism, limits on Congressional power, and checks and balances. All these ideas are presented in clear terms that most children 10+ years should understand. Not an easy task! I highly recommend this book for any parent trying to instill American values, history, or government into their own children; or any adult wanting a quick read to refresh their own understanding.