Fault Lines in the Constitution: The Framers, Their Fights, and the Flaws that Affect Us Today

This freshly-revised edition of an essential middle-grade exploration of the US Constitution shows how the political problems of today stem from bitter haggling in an overheated room in 1787.

"Should be read by every single adult who lives in America.” —Laurie Halse Anderson


Many of us take certain features in our political system for granted, even when we complain about them. But these fault lines didn’t spontaneously arise—they have their roots in the Constitution itself, the result of disagreements and compromises made by the Framers in 1787—and we’re still feeling the ramifications today.

Fault Lines in the Constitution takes readers back to the creation of this historic document and discusses the original intent and worldview of the Framers, when and how problems arose after the fact, and possible solutions for those problems, inspired by both constitutions of individual US states and other countries. Each chapter begins with a true story that connects directly back to a section of the document that forms the basis of our society and government.

Written by an award-winning middle grade author and a constitutional law scholar, this new edition includes updated content throughout; two new chapters on Impeachment and Secession; significant expansion of the chapters on Emergency Powers and Term Limits; and revisions throughout that reflect political and social changes leading up to and following the 2024 national election.

1126029197
Fault Lines in the Constitution: The Framers, Their Fights, and the Flaws that Affect Us Today

This freshly-revised edition of an essential middle-grade exploration of the US Constitution shows how the political problems of today stem from bitter haggling in an overheated room in 1787.

"Should be read by every single adult who lives in America.” —Laurie Halse Anderson


Many of us take certain features in our political system for granted, even when we complain about them. But these fault lines didn’t spontaneously arise—they have their roots in the Constitution itself, the result of disagreements and compromises made by the Framers in 1787—and we’re still feeling the ramifications today.

Fault Lines in the Constitution takes readers back to the creation of this historic document and discusses the original intent and worldview of the Framers, when and how problems arose after the fact, and possible solutions for those problems, inspired by both constitutions of individual US states and other countries. Each chapter begins with a true story that connects directly back to a section of the document that forms the basis of our society and government.

Written by an award-winning middle grade author and a constitutional law scholar, this new edition includes updated content throughout; two new chapters on Impeachment and Secession; significant expansion of the chapters on Emergency Powers and Term Limits; and revisions throughout that reflect political and social changes leading up to and following the 2024 national election.

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Fault Lines in the Constitution: The Framers, Their Fights, and the Flaws that Affect Us Today

Fault Lines in the Constitution: The Framers, Their Fights, and the Flaws that Affect Us Today

Fault Lines in the Constitution: The Framers, Their Fights, and the Flaws that Affect Us Today

Fault Lines in the Constitution: The Framers, Their Fights, and the Flaws that Affect Us Today

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Overview

This freshly-revised edition of an essential middle-grade exploration of the US Constitution shows how the political problems of today stem from bitter haggling in an overheated room in 1787.

"Should be read by every single adult who lives in America.” —Laurie Halse Anderson


Many of us take certain features in our political system for granted, even when we complain about them. But these fault lines didn’t spontaneously arise—they have their roots in the Constitution itself, the result of disagreements and compromises made by the Framers in 1787—and we’re still feeling the ramifications today.

Fault Lines in the Constitution takes readers back to the creation of this historic document and discusses the original intent and worldview of the Framers, when and how problems arose after the fact, and possible solutions for those problems, inspired by both constitutions of individual US states and other countries. Each chapter begins with a true story that connects directly back to a section of the document that forms the basis of our society and government.

Written by an award-winning middle grade author and a constitutional law scholar, this new edition includes updated content throughout; two new chapters on Impeachment and Secession; significant expansion of the chapters on Emergency Powers and Term Limits; and revisions throughout that reflect political and social changes leading up to and following the 2024 national election.


Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781682637951
Publisher: Peachtree Publishers, Ltd.
Publication date: 07/22/2025
Sold by: Barnes & Noble
Format: eBook
Pages: 320
File size: 18 MB
Note: This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range: 10 Years

About the Author

Cynthia Levinson is a Robert F. Sibert Medalist and author of nonfiction picture and middle grade books. A former teacher and educational policy consultant and researcher, she holds degrees from Wellesley College and Harvard University.

Sanford Levinson is an American legal scholar and a professor at the University of Texas Law School. He holds degrees from Duke, Stanford, and Harvard universities and is the author of several books for adults on the Constitution. He also writes frequently for a variety of newspapers, magazines, and blogs.

Table of Contents

Introduction 6

Preamble 13

Part I How Bills Become (Or, More Likely, Don't Become) Law 22

Chapter 1 It Takes Two to Tango / Bicameralism 23

Chapter 2 Big States, Little Say / The Senate 33

Chapter 3 Delete! / Presidential Veto 46

Chapter 4 Majority Rules-Except When It Doesn't / Supermajority Rules 54

Part II Hello, Can You Hear Me? 63

Chapter 5 How to Cherry-pick Voters / Gerrymandering 64

Chapter 6 Taxation without Representation / The District of Columbia 80

Chapter 7 "I'll Just Do It Myself!" "Oh No You Won't" / Direct Democracy 88

Part III If America Threw a Party, Would You Be Let In? 92

Chapter 8 Who Can Vote? How Do You Know? / Voting Rights 93

Chapter 9 Who Gets to Represent You? / Restrictions on Running for Congress 104

Chapter 10 Who Gets a Shot at the Oval Office? / Restrictions on Running for President 112

Chapter 11 Time's Up! / Presidential Term Limits 118

Part IV "Hurrah! I'm 18. Finally I Can Vote for the President." "Not So Fast." 126

Chapter 12 The College with No Courses or Credits / The Electoral College 127

Part V Can the President Really Do That?! 144

Chapter 13 Pardon Me? / Presidential Pardons 145

Chapter 14 "You're Hired! (Maybe.) You're Fired!" / The Unitary Executive 154

Part VI Who's Running America? 163

Chapter 15 Knock Knock. Is Anybody There? / Continuity in Government 164

Chapter 16 Is There a Leader in the Room? / Presidential Succession 176

Chapter 17 The Duck's in Charge. January 20 / Inauguration Day 185

Part VII Emergency! Emergency! 191

Chapter 18 At War / Emergency Powers 192

Chapter 19 At War with Bugs / Habeas Corpus 202

Chapter 20 We Can Change It, Right? / Amending the Constitution 213

Part VIII Keeping Pace with the Times 224

Chapter 21 Grading the Constitution 225

Chapter 22 Now What? 234

Post-Amble

Timeline of Events 241

Acknowledgments 245

Notes 246

Bibliography 257

Articles and Amendments 259

Index 260

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