Hot Button: Teaching Sensitive Social Studies Content

by Bart King (Editor), Giacomo Calabria (Editor)

A book that explores the delicacy and critical importance of getting history right, and teaching it in an age-appropriate way in the classroom, every time.

Hot Button: Teaching Sensitive Social Studies Content explores the difficulty, delicacy, and ethical obligations of teaching accurate history to all students in a highly charged political environment. Featuring contributions from distinguished and award-winning educators including Alysha Butler, Gerardo Muñoz, Nicole Butler-Hooton, this book will change the way social studies educators work. Edited by Giacomo Calabria and Bart King.

176 pages, Paperback

Published March 14, 2023

About the author

I write funny and educational books for kids and immature adults. In 2026, two of my projects will hit shelves: FATHER HUMOR and a new Choose Your Own Adventure title that is still untitled.

Regarding my previous TIME TRAVEL INN books for CYOA, Jeff Kinney described them as being full of "mind-blowing adventure and heart-stopping thrills!", so I have that going for me.

What else? Disney-Hyperion published my funny science-fiction novel, THE DRAKE EQUATION. Reviews:
— “This novel has a lot going for it. There’s an immensely likable protagonist and his marvelous twin friends, a school life that feels true —particularly the petty weirdness of other kids— and a mystery that really engages the reader. King tosses a lot of balls in the air, keeping the twists fast and furious, but thankfully, while the protagonist is suitably overwhelmed, the reader isn’t.” San Francisco Review of Books
— "Librarians will find that young readers empathize with the young birdwatcher and his friends.... children will enjoy the school and friendship aspects of the story." Teacher Librarian Magazine
— "Noah is a strong enough character to snag interest and keep it... there's clever humor and a great central protagonist to carry readers along to the end." Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
— "A clever sci-fi narrative with an enjoyable main character." Kirkus

I also wrote a Choose Your Own Adventure titled SPIES: MOE BERG, an espionage book titled THE POCKET GUIDE TO SPY STUFF, and THE BIG BOOK OF SUPERHEROES, a humorous guide to becoming a superhero, and then dealing with it.

Oregon State University Press published AN ARCHITECTURAL GUIDEBOOK TO PORTLAND. (It's medium-sized!) Finally, I taught middle school for many years. This was a wonderful experience, and I hope to recover from it soon. (I kid; it was the best job I've ever had.)