Rebels, Robbers, and Radicals: The Story of the Bill of Rights

Gr 5 Up–A succinct yet comprehensive overview of the first 10 amendments to the United States Constitution. It opens with an examination of the reason behind the Bill of Rights with regard to disagreements on how individual rights would be protected within the Constitutional framework. The text then explains how the Fourteenth Amendment, with its due process clause, influenced later Supreme Court decisions. The book provides an explanation for why enslavers were able to ensure so many freedoms (the answer: the amendments only apply on a federal level—not a state one). Then a chapter is dedicated to each amendment, including the wording and relevant court cases that either uphold them or set limits. For instance, students wearing armbands in school as a sign of protest is protected free speech, while controversial articles in a school newspaper are subject to school standards. The Third Amendment is unique in that it lacks any substantive challenges. Fourth Amendment rights do not apply to the search of one’s garbage cans, while Miranda warnings help enforce Fifth Amendment rights not to incriminate oneself. Other amendment rights, such as civil trials by juries, the prohibition of cruel, and unusual punishment, natural rights, and powers exclusive to the states, are likewise presented. The narrative is readable and includes the historical reasoning behind each amendment, aiding in providing context for each. The real benefit of this narrative is the easily digestible presentation of pertinent information to the targeted grade levels. Readers will find themselves with sufficient introductory knowledge of the first several amendments of the United States Constitution; this volume will be a plus in the social studies classroom.