Awards and Lists
- NCTE Orbis Pictus Recommended Book
- Junior Library Guild Selection
- Parents’ Choice Gold Award
- A Best of 2017 Book in Kirkus Reviews, Publisher’s Weekly, School Library Journal, Booklist, The Washington Post, Nerdy Book Club
- Lasting Connections: Booklist’s “top 30 choice for the K-8 classroom”
- A Best of 2017 Book by the International Literacy Association, Bank Street, and the New York, Chicago, Denver, and Evanston Public Libraries
- ALSC Notable Book and CBC/NCSS Notable Book (2018 and 2020)
- Texas Topaz Nonfiction Reading List
- Writers’ League of Texas Book Award Finalist
- Massachusetts Book Award (Honor)
- Nerdies for Best Longform Nonfiction
- California Reading Association Silver Eureka Award
- Capitol Choices Noteworthy Books
- CBC Building a Home Library list
Starred Reviews
- Kirkus Reviews (starred): “A fascinating, thoughtful, and provocative look at what in the Constitution keeps the United States from being ‘a more perfect union.’”
- School Library Journal (starred): “Essential for class discussions, debate teams, and reports.”
- Booklist (starred): “…smartly conceived…,” providing “natural connections across the curriculum and to the Common Core State Standards”
- Publisher’s Weekly (starred): “…cogent and highly readable…thought-provoking and exceptionally topical…”
More Reviews
- The Booklist Reader: “Throw out the high school textbooks and put this outstanding book in the hands of the next generation!”
- School Library Connection: “While written for students, the book is a worthwhile read for adults as well.”
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Pam Day, Baker & Taylor: “It’s remarkable how these highly gifted and educated authors are able to take such complex material and present it for young readers in a way that is wholly accessible and engaging.”
- School Library Journal: “As it should, something in every chapter is bound to jar readers, and, hopefully, encourage them to speak up about what matters to them and/or spur them to take action.”
- School Library Journal: “An exciting addition to middle school social studies and humanities curriculum…sure to ignite important conversations…”
- The Washington Post: “It’s possible that this bracing book will prod young readers to get involved in amendment-making, in order to form a more perfect Constitution.”
- Foreign Policy Journal: “Should be taught in every school.”
- Richie’s Picks: “a fascinating read and a great introduction to American constitutional history.”
- KidLiterati: “I’ve never been more enthralled with the structure of a non-fiction book for young readers.”
- Richmond Times-Dispatch: “a fitting edition for homes where discussion, engagement and open discourse define the family culture.”
