The Bill of Rights: How We Got It and What It Means

by Milton Meltzer

Traces the history of the Bill of Rights of the United States Constitution and highlights contemporary challenges to each of the ten amendments.

Genres: Nonfiction

179 pages, Library Binding

First published January 1, 1990

About the author

Milton Meltzer wrote 110 books, five of which were nominated for the National Book Award. With Langston Hughes, he co-authored A Pictorial History of Black Americans, now in its sixth edition. He received the 2001 Laura Ingalls Wilder Award for his contribution to children's literature, the 1986 Jane Addams Peace Association Children's Book Award, and the 2000 Regina Medal. He died in New York City of esophageal cancer at age 94.

Reviews

[Elizabeth · Rating 2 out of 5]

The only reason this has two stars is because Meltzer did an amazing job explaining the origin of the Bill of Rights. I have to give him credit. However, in the second half of the book, Meltzer became highly politicized in the second portion or "What It Means" section. Instead of giving the reader a chance to think on what each of the 10 amendments means or even providing all arguments for or against amendments, he explained events and interpretations that were entirely one sided. Per the first amendment he does have to right to express himself anyway, however, if you are hoping to provide a neutral presentation of the Bill of Rights for your child to think and reason on their own, you will have to find another book.

[Audrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a simple book about the original Bill of Rights.

[Samia · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought it was very informative and it was nice learning about the Bill of Rights...it even includes a time line in there! ☺