Your Freedom, Your Power: A Kid’s Guide to the First Amendment

Believing the First Amendment to be “something all people, even kids, may need, want, or have to use at some point in their lives,” as stated in an introduction, Matulli and Castro-Malaspina break down the functions of the First Amendment in this handy guide to American politics. Beginning with entries that provide a brief history of the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the U.S. federal court system, the creators separate each part of the amendment into individual chapters. Sections consider the limitations of each right and its impact on society, and provide examples of young people using their rights to fight for change, including the 1899 newsboys strike and anti–gun violence protests spearheaded by the students of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in 2018. In “Freedom of Speech,” text clarifies legal boundaries (“The government has the right to punish speech that may cause violence or lots of harm”) while assuring readers that the amendment protects them “against being punished by the government for expressing yourself.” Through their conversational approach, the authors demystify the document to present a primer for young people. Throughout, Kendall’s fluidly lined illustrations, rendered in blue and orange tones, depict variously diverse figures exercising their rights. Ages 10–13. (July) ■