constitution

"You've probably heard the phrase 'I plead the fifth' in the news, but what exactly does that mean? Inside this detailed guide, readers will explore the language, history, and impact of the Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and come to understand how it has served American citizens since the late 1700s. 'Pleading the Fifth' is a phrase sometime used in court to mean 'I refuse to answer questions because it might be harmful to myself.' But the Fifth Amendment also protects citizens in other ways, including the right to be heard by a jury"--Provided by publisher.

"The Eighth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution's Bill of Rights prohibits the use of 'cruel and unusual punishment.' That phrase was written at a time when burning and beheading were still acceptable legal punishments in some places. Much has changed in America in two centuries. This easily accessible guide examines the context that inspired the Founding Fathers to include this phrase, as well as the concept of 'evolving standards of decency'"--Provided by publisher.

"The Ninth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution's Bill of Rights notes that people have more rights than those listed in the document. And, according to the Tenth Amendment, the federal government has only those powers expressly stated in the Constitution. All other powers are given to the states and the people. This title explores the concept of individual rights and states' rights, defining the terms and examining the ways that these ideas have clashed throughout our nation's history"--Provided by publisher.

The events surrounding the creation of the U.S. Constitution did not look the same to everyone involved. Readers can step back in time and into the shoes of a serving girl at a Pennsylvania boardinghouse, a law clerk in the state of Virginia, and an apprentice printer as readers act out scenes that took place in the midst of this historic event. Written with simplified, considerate text to help struggling readers, books in this series are made to build confidence as readers engage and read aloud. Includes a table of contents, glossary, index, author biography, sidebars, and timeline.

"A nonpartisan, unbiased look at the First Amendment and how it informs our daily lives, this book clearly explains the fundamentals of American politics to middle grade readers"--Provided by publisher.

Readers learn about the history and modern implications of the Second Amendment.

The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution guarantees that Congress "shall make no law... abridging the freedom of speech or of the press." But what does that mean? In this easy-to-understand book, readers will learn more about the background and history of the First Amendment and its promises, including freedom of speech. They'll learn what that means-and doesn't mean-and more about common misconceptions about this important right. Accessible text dealing with real-life situations and graphics further explaining the details will draw in anyone interested in knowing about basic American rights.

The First Amendment of the US Constitution states that all people have the right to freedom of the speech and the press. This means citizens can speak, write, and publish freely. But there are limits to these rights. People continue to debate what types of speech are protected by the First Amendment. Freedom of Speech and the Press explores these rights, looking at how our understanding of these freedoms continues to change.

In the United States, citizens elect leaders to represent them in the government. They do so by voting in elections. Voting gives people a say in how the government is run. But not everyone has always had the right to vote. Throughout history, many people had to fight for equal voting rights. Fair Elections and Voting Rights explores US elections, looking at how voting has changed over time and how people keep elections fair.

"Written more than 200 years ago, the first 10 amendments of the Bill of Rights are still in use. Understanding how these additions to the Constitution is key to understanding why the Bill of Rights is so important to United States history. All readers can benefit from understanding what the Bill of Rights is and why it exists, especially to understand modern political conversations"--Provided by publisher.