The US Congress for Kids: Over 200 Years of Lawmaking, Deal-Breaking, and Compromising, with 21 Activities

(Paperback)

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Description

An interactive guidebook to the history and inner workings of the legislative branch of the U.S. Government Providing a historical perspective on all that is going on today, US Congress for Kids examines the major milestones in congressional history, including the abolition of slavery, extending the vote to African Americans and to women, and investigating misconduct in both government and private institutions. Kids will be engaged by the focus on dramatic stories, personalities, and turning points while also benefitting from the clear discussions of Congressional purpose, structure, history, and ongoing issues. Educational, hands-on activities that illuminate the workings of the U.S. Congress include making a House ceremonial mace, creating congressional money, making a capitol dome, and designing a Congressional Medal of Honor.

Reviews

"A well-written, extensive history." --Kirkus "It explores some big decisions by Congress, including votes to outlaw slavery and give voting rights to black men and then to women. It also includes 21 activities to help explain the day-to-day work on Capitol Hill." The Washington Post "Kids will be engaged by the focus on dramatic stories, personalities, and turning points while also benefitting from the clear discussions of Congressional purpose, structure, history, and ongoing issues." BookTrib "On what typically is a rather confusing and dry subject, author Ronald Reis breaks everything down so that it is both completely comprehensible and at the same time fascinating. In fact, the explanation of how the US Congress is organized and what its functions are, is the best written summary on the subject I've ever read, bar none." Smart Books for Smart Kids "This entry in the For Kids series offers both historical and timely perspectives of Congress." Booklist "[The book] offers procedural and structural information about Congress, but it also describes how the "human factor" plays into the way Congress works." The Reading Tub "It is difficult to not be very cynical when it comes to discussing the U.S. Congress and its members. We need a book like this to refocus us and help us show our young people what the institution is supposed to be all about." Bookloons

Author Bio

Ronald A. Reis is the author of numerous nonfiction books for kids and young adults, including Christopher Columbus and the Age of Exploration for Kids, with 21 Activities. His biography of Buffalo Bill Cody won the 2011 Spur Award for the best juvenile nonfiction biography about the west, from the Western Writers of America. He lives in Calabasas, California. Henry A. Waxman, a Democrat, is the U.S. representative for California's 33rd congressional district. Kristi Noem, a Republican, is the U.S. representative for South Dakota's at-large congressional district.