(2) K-3 Illustrated by Rachelle Baker. On a rainy November day, a young girl goes with her mother to their neighborhood polling place. Along the way, the girl's mother explains that voting is "a mission / that, by definition / no one can do for us." The two enter a curtained-off booth where the girl pushes the buttons that correspond to the names her mother chooses on the ballot. The rhyming text, which eschews capitalization, is composed in a singsong meter (not surprisingly written by a well-known folk lyricist and composer) that will make for an enjoyable read-aloud. Digitally created illustrations show a Black mother and daughter walking to the polls in a culturally and ethnically diverse city setting. Illustrations emphasize relationships the girl and her mother have within their community and the civic values that voting symbolizes. For them, voting is about caring for and preserving a community; it's a sense of belonging, and "a job" that everyone's "got to do" in order to do their part and take care of one another. A thoughtful and rousing conversation starter.

Reviewer: Julie Hakim Azzam | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2024

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Marc Brown. Sharing, fairness, choice, respect, ­truthfulness--most young people are well acquainted with these concepts; the Browns ([cf12]Dinosaurs Divorce; Dinosaurs Go Green!; and many others) use these principles to help deliver an engaging civics lesson. The inviting second-person text speaks directly to "kid citizens," encouraging them to view themselves as participants in our government. The lively panel illustrations, featuring Marc Brown's green cartoon dinosaurs (back after a decade-plus hiatus), expand on Laurie Krasny Brown's text and add levity to the discussion. Each of nine sections focuses on a concept, relating it to daily life and then demonstrating how it manifests in a democracy. "Share Equal Rights" explains equality this way: "You probably know how it feels to be left out or included. Inviting kids into your game is also sharing." This leads to a broader interpretation: "Sharing also takes place in a country. When no one gets left out, then everyone has equal rights." Describing fairness as "a way of showing respect" and stating that "good rules help make fairness possible" lays the groundwork to talk about justice. Sections on how to be a judicious consumer of information ("Look for Truth") and what free speech means (including tips on "How to Have an Argument") should be required reading for all of us--of any age. This optimistic and accessible guide to civic responsibility concludes with the charge to "Stand Up for Democracy"--a message now more important than ever. "Words for Kid Citizens to Know" are appended.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2020

(2) YA After a brief introduction to the central figures and the crucial importance of understanding these men today, Davis opens his history of modern dictators with the burning of the Reichstag and Hitler's subsequent rise to absolute control over Germany. Flashing back to the infancy of democracy in ancient Greece and Rome, Davis lays out how democracies function and where they are susceptible to breaking. Following this history, readers are brought back to the twentieth century with a look at Fascist dictator Benito Mussolini, then move forward chronologically through the rises and falls of Adolf Hitler, Josef Stalin, Mao Zedong, and Saddam Hussein. Each biographical history effectively places the dictator in time and aptly builds context around his ascent to power. Similarities in each figure's childhood are noted, but readers are often warned not to draw causal connections between the events of these men's youth and their notoriety in adulthood: "If every boy who has ever been expelled from school for fighting--or even attacking someone with a penknife--became a dictator, the world would have far more dictators." Davis's central thesis regarding the fragility of democracy reads as a warning to readers who will undoubtedly think about the current viability and strength of twenty-first-century democracies at home and abroad. This well-researched book includes extensive quotations from contemporaneous newspaper accounts as well as footnotes and an in-depth bibliography (which helpfully notes the titles most useful to young adult readers). Index unseen.

Reviewer: Eric Carpenter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2021

(2) K-3 Translated by Elisa Amado. Illustrated by Gabriella Lyon. Students arrive back at school from vacation to find that plans to construct a new science building necessitate the removal of a monkey puzzle tree. The story of the ensuing protests, debates, split vote, and resolution is a lesson both in democracy and community engagement and a hopeful message about the ability of disparate groups to come together in creating solutions. This sophisticated picture book is narrated by one of the students, but not as an individual, rather a part of the collective "we," as in "we sat down to talk and think in small groups." Illustrations also emphasize the collective; it is impossible to pick out the narrator. A multi-ethnic, ever-changing group of students hangs signs on the endangered tree; some (known as "Millennials") protest the building plans; some (called "Developers") picket in support of the project; all attend school assemblies on the topic. Student activists will see themselves in the passionate, outspoken crowd, and all will close the book with a sense of the possibility for problem-solving. Lyon's illustrations resemble a sketchbook, with a limited palette of blue and brown setting off the loose drawings. An afterword gives readers background about the endangered monkey puzzle tree (native to southern Chile and western Argentina). Where agreement seems elusive in our contemporary world, an engaging and visually satisfying picture book about problem-solving deserves attention.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2021

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Mary Kate McDevitt. A useful volume presenting historic documents in chronological order, this updated edition includes George W. Bush's address to the nation on the September 11 attacks, Barack Obama's 2008 DNC "Speech on Race," and excerpts from the 2015 Supreme Court decision legalizing gay marriage (Obergefell v. Hodges). Every selection includes historical background, information about the document's author, and the public response. Archival photos and facsimiles are featured. Ind.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Grace Lin. Roosevelt's clear, inviting introduction to basic civics, from the operations of local governments to federal checks and balances, is presented with Markel's updates to reflect events since the 1932 original as well as changing sensibilities. Lin's illustrations include black-and-white spot art and color-saturated full-page pictures, often with labels, making this volume an accessible guide for young future voters. Reading list, timeline, websites.

Reviewer: Shoshana Flax

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Matt Faulkner. This engaging and entertaining book breaks down the importance of democratic elections, from school boards all the way up to the presidency. An abundance of information is pleasingly presented in concise question-and-answer paragraphs and bite-size fact boxes on every spread. Faulkner's watercolor and pencil sketches provide a warm, cheerful backdrop to the encouraging text. An author's note with resources is appended. Timeline.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(3) YA Odysseys in Government series. Designed for advanced middle-school readers and up, this series focusing on four well-known government systems aims to increase understanding of the basic concepts on which each ideology is based. Readers are encouraged to compare and contrast policies and practices and acquire information about important leaders. Glossy photographs and art, a roomy page layout, and inserts on related topics increase interest. Timeline. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers the following Odysseys in Government titles: Communism, Dictatorship, Monarchy, and Democracy.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(4) K-3 CitizenKid series. Illustrated by Dharmali Patel. A mayor tries to create arbitrary laws and then learns lessons when citizens stand up for their rights. The book successfully demonstrates that strong democracies need active citizens to survive. Cartoony monster-like creatures populate the purposeful and wordy framing vignettes, which are broken up by inserts of information about democratic rights and questions for reflection ("Why did Mayor Moe decide to stop the protest parade?").

Reviewer: Lauren Causey

(4) K-3 First Step Nonfiction: Exploring Government series. Using simple, direct sentences, this series provides young children with cursory information about American government operations. The basic format consists of chapters beginning with one-sentence statements ("U.S. citizens have many responsibilities") followed by several pages that expand on the premise (e.g., "They vote"); each page includes a welcoming stock photo. The series has value as a springboard for discussion with lower-elementary students. Glos., ind. Review covers these First Step Nonfiction: Exploring Government titles: What Are Elections?, What Are Rules and Laws?, What Are the Branches of Government?, What Is a Democracy?, What Is Citizenship?, and Who Are Government's Leaders?.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Julie McLaughlin. Focusing on Western representative democracy (mostly Canada and the U.S.), Keenan's readable introduction emphasizes the importance of the political process and touches on conflict resolution, compromise, polarization, public opinion, and the power of an informed citizenry. Unobtrusive drawings and inserts of case studies effectively complement the narrative. An informative and positive, if somewhat simplistic, view of politics for young readers. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(4) 4-6 Fact Finders: Cause and Effect series. This formulaic series provides overviews of events surrounding turning points in American history. Stock archival reproductions and photos support the accessible texts; of the two, Life and Liberty is the better organized and written. The uncluttered layout includes "fast fact" boxes and definitions. These offer adequate starting points for report writers and history buffs. Reading list. Glos. Review covers these Fact Finders: Cause and Effect titles: Freedom from Slavery and For Life and Liberty.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(3) K-3 Spier's pictorial introduction to the Constitution has been redesigned and updated. Spier illustrates each of the ten clauses in the preamble--e.g., "establish Justice" and "provide for the common defense"--over one or two double-page spreads. Small scenes of colonial life face corresponding vignettes of contemporary life, giving readers points of comparison. A history of the Constitution and its complete text are appended.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(3) K-3 Ten renowned illustrators, including Bryan Collier, Raúl Colón, and Diane Goode, bring the words of "America the Beautiful" to life; each striking spread also presents an inspirational presidential quote in the side margin. Informative back matter includes a key to national landmarks and symbols; full lyrics; a note on democracy; and biographical information on Bates, author of the poem-turned-patriotic-ballad.

Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen

(4) 4-6 American Revolution Through Primary Sources series. These bland introductions discuss growing tensions between England and the colonies; the significant events leading up to and during the war; the men, women, and children who helped bring victory to the thirteen colonies; and the founding of our Constitution. Archival photographs and maps (with "primary source" called out where applicable) enhance these histories. The books' young-looking format seems at odds with their intended audience. Reading list, timeline. Glos., ind. This review covers these American Revolution Through Primary Sources titles: American Indians and African Americans of the American Revolution, Courageous Children and Women of the American Revolution, The Making of the United States from Thirteen Colonies, An Overview of the American Revolution, Washington's Crossing the Delaware and the Winter at Valley Forge, and Why We Won the American Revolution.

Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale

(3) YA Systems of Government series. With a consistently objective tone, these volumes introduce five forms of government. Each system is clearly explained and accompanied by presentation of historical context, examples of the title systems, and social implications and effects. Clean design, text boxes (e.g., "voting booth" questions that engage readers), and crisp photographs support the rich text. Monarchy, Dictatorship, and Communism contain running timelines. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. This review covers these Systems of Goverment titles: Communism, Democracy, Dictatorship, Monarchy, and Theocracy.

Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen

(4) YA Exploring World Governments series. While describing the ideas, histories, policies, and economics behind the title political ideologies, these overviews vary widely in their assessments. Democracy focuses mainly on its strengths; Communism and Dictatorships emphasize their political unfairness and the human misery they have caused; and Anarchism concentrates on the impact of its ideas on other ideologies. Photographs and sidebars break up the texts. Reading list. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Exploring World Governments titles: Anarchism, Dictatorships, Communism, and Democracy.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(3) 4-6 Bausum provides an informative overview of America's involvement in WWI. She discusses President Wilson's fight to enact laws against "anti-American" activities as an example of how political leaders during a national crisis have attempted to restrict personal freedom in the name of patriotism. Illustrations, photographs, and notes enhance the succinct text. A "Guide to Wartime Presidents" chart is appended. Timeline, websites. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(4) YA Groundwork Guides series. Like other titles in the series, this volume is both ambitious and unapologetically polemical. Beginning with a historical overview, including the political exclusion of women and minorities, the text examines democracy right up to present-day conflicts. The scope of his topic forces Laxer to sacrifice nuance for generalities. Nonetheless, the information offered makes a good foundation for further research. Reading list, timeline. Ind.

Reviewer: Chelsey Philpot

(4) YA Writing the Critical Essay series. This volume presents previously published articles arguing different viewpoints related to democracy (e.g., will spreading democracy reduce terrorism?). Three content questions precede each piece, and two superficial analysis questions follow. The book then provides model essays for students, with sidebar comments (some helpful) explaining the writing process. Many photographs and charts of varying usefulness illustrate the text. Websites. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz