What Is the Supreme Court?

What was...?

by Jill Abramson, Who H.Q., Gregory Copeland (Illustrator)

Hear ye, hear ye! Get ready to learn all about the most powerful court in the United States.

Ever since it was established in 1789, the United States Supreme Court has had a major impact on the lives of all Americans. Some of its landmark decisions have helped end segregation, protected a person’s privacy, and allowed people to marry whomever they love. 
 
Best-selling author, former executive editor of The New York Times, and self-confessed political junkie, Jill Abramson has written a detailed and fascinating book that explains how the highest court in the United States works, who gets to serve on it, which cases have had the greatest impact on the country, and why the US justice system is so vital to democracy.

With 80 black-and-white illustrations and an engaging 16-page photo insert, readers will be excited to read this addition to this New York Times Best-Selling series.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Childrens

112 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 19, 2022

About the author

Jill Abramson is a senior lecturer at Harvard University. She also writes a bi-weekly column for The Guardian about US politics. She spent seventeen years in the most senior editorial positions at The New York Times, where she was the first woman to serve as Washington bureau chief, managing editor, and executive editor. Before joining the Times, she spent nine years at The Wall Street Journal.

Reviews

[Alicia · Rating 3 out of 5]

A full picture as the HQ series goes for middle readers on understanding what the Supreme Court does including some crucial decision-making, important people on the courts, it's changes and developments over time, and it's place in American government. I learned a few things!

[Sonja · Rating 3 out of 5]

Such a brilliant idea, so poorly managed.

[Goddess of Chaos · Rating 4 out of 5]

"It is known as “the court of last resort.”"

This book covers the history of the Supreme Court, what role it plays in the United States Government, how it functions in relation to other courts - and how cases as the Supreme Court differ from cases happening closer to home.

It also highlights some of the most important cases the court has heard, and most historic opinions the courts has given/written.

I was really impressed with this book, it balanced using history to give context to the cases the court hears and how rulings are made with how the courts rulings have become a part of history.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

After listening to a podcast about the Supreme Court a few weeks ago, I was intrigued when I saw a children's book about it recently. I had no idea that there are few requirements to be a justice on the Supreme Court - no age, education, work requirements, or a requirement to be a US citizen. One simply needs to be nominated by the President and approved by the Senate.

Some notable trials including a man named Gideon who argued that everyone, despite economic status, should be provided a lawyer in trial, the Miranda Rights trial, and the Loving trial, allowing blacks and whites to marry without punishment, are discussed.

[Grace · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's not as much like the other What Was? books in the series. It branches off the topic of the Supreme Court and takes a less neutral angle on the matter of certain cases and people. Other than that, it does explain how the Supreme Court works and how it developed into what it was. I just don't like some of the partisan comments it inserts every now and then.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great way to teach my kids on what the Supreme Court is and how it is supposed to work.

[Karthika · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very nice. I liked it. Illustrations were very good.

[Natsu · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is easy to understand the structure and history of the Supreme Counrt for non-native speaker.