From School Library Journal
Grade 7-10–McKissack, a well-respected author, and Zarembka, an attorney, examine issues of justice and equality in American history by focusing on the Supreme Court's role in defining rights of minority groups and citizens. Each chapter is devoted to a particular issue and discusses how the beliefs and actions of the majority were often designed to benefit themselves at the expense of other groups. From the Cherokee's removal to the Midwest to slavery to women's rights and actions against immigrants, laws were passed that limited the opportunities and rights of those outside of mainstream society. Students will learn about what now seem to be terrible decisions, such as
Plessyv.
Ferguson, which upheld policies of separate but equal, as well as those that helped advance human rights, such as the 1954
Brownv.
the Board of Education of Topeka. This book covers a broad spectrum of cases, and the authors do a fine job of providing the history, background, and events surrounding each Supreme Court decision. Boxed text highlights interesting and important details and "stories" behind some of the decisions and the judges who made them. Black-and-white historical drawings and photographs appear throughout.
–Jane G. Connor, South Carolina State Library, Columbia Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Gr. 6-10. This solid book considers the rights of various groups of people as granted in the Constitution and interpreted by the courts. The first chapter concerns the creation of the Constitution and points out that while the original document guaranteed certain rights to citizens, it did not define who was considered a citizen. Taking a broadly historical path, the book discusses how the courts have interpreted the Constitution in cases involving Native Americans, slaves and free blacks in the 1800s, women's suffrage, discrimination against Asian Americans, "separate but equal" education, the rights of students, affirmative action, and discrimination based upon race, gender, and sexual orientation. The book ends with the text of the document, a lengthy source bibliography, and suggestions for further reading. Black-and-white illustrations include reproductions of many period photographs as well as a few paintings, engravings, and documents. This excellent resource pulls together a great deal of information and presents it in a clear, logical manner.
Carolyn PhelanCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
