The Hill: Inside the Secret World of the U.S. Capitol

by Kate Andersen Brower

Overview

#1 New York Times bestselling author Kate Andersen Brower shares a special look inside America’s Capitol and highlights what the people who work there mean to the future of democracy. Perfect for readers of Brower’s first middle grade book, Exploring the White House!

There’s a secret world hidden in the halls of the U.S. Capitol!

The first stone was laid by George Washington himself, and the building stands today as one of the most recognizable symbols of the oldest democracy in the world. In this home of America’s legislative branch, senators and representatives fight to pass laws they believe are for the good of the country.

But these hallowed halls, which some swear are haunted, also harbor a deep history—both extraordinary and unsettling—and that is an equally important part of America’s story.

There is an entire universe tucked away inside the Capitol, and #1 New York Times bestselling author Kate Andersen Brower highlights the historic firsts, the building’s restricted nooks and crannies, and the staffers—from pages to doorkeepers to librarians—who ensure that American democracy stays on track.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780063229310
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	10/08/2024
Pages:	304
Product dimensions:	5.70(w) x 8.30(h) x 1.20(d)
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

Kate Andersen Brower is the author of the #1 New York Times bestseller The Residence, First Women—also a New York Times bestseller—and First in Line. She is a CNN contributor who covered the Obama White House for Bloomberg News and is a former CBS News staffer and Fox News producer. Her writing has appeared in the New York Times, Vanity Fair, and the Washington Post. She lives outside Washington, D.C., with her husband and their three young children.

Editorial Reviews

★ 08/19/2024

Taking up more than 1.5 million square feet and boasting more than 600 rooms, plus its own subway system, barbershop, and dining options, the U.S. Capitol proves a fascinating subject in this cutaway-feeling view of its inner workings by Andersen Bower (The Hidden History of the White House, for adults). In three parts rendered in meticulous detail, the author covers the building’s development, staff, and significance beginning with its initial construction, which was completed by more than 200 enslaved laborers in 1793. Chapters relating the complicated ins and outs of running this small city highlight individuals like Daryl Chappelle, who was the conductor of the Senate subway for 44 years. Later sections describe occasions and legislators who have made history within its halls, such as Hiram Revels, the first Black senator, and Barney Frank, who in 1987 became the first member of Congress to come out as gay. To showcase how the “Capitol has been the site of important moments throughout history,” Andersen Brower additionally spotlights “five incredible days on Capitol Hill” from 1814 to 2021. Archival photos bring the Capitol to life, reminding readers that “understanding the past helps us make sense of where we are today.” Ages 8–12. Agent: Howard Yoon, Ross Yoon Literary. (Oct.)

Publishers Weekly

The U.S. Capitol proves a fascinating subject in this cutaway-feeling view of its inner workings. Rendered in meticulous detail.”  — Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“Brower shows her ability to research, organize, and retell stories in ways that help readers see the immediate drama and long-term significance of historical conflicts involving Capitol Hill. Engaging American history.”   — Booklist

“A detailed guide to Capitol Hill. Thorough and well paced: ideal for browsing or research.” — Kirkus Reviews

From the Publisher

2024-09-14
A detailed guide to Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.

Spanning the time period from the Revolutionary War and George Washington’s placement of the cornerstone of the Capitol building in 1793 to the attack on January 6, 2021, and the presidency of Joe Biden, this book offers an in-depth look into how the Capitol as we know it came to be, how it functions, and who runs it, both politically and practically. Brower examines various “firsts” on the Hill, such as the first openly gay member of Congress and the first Hispanic American woman to serve in the House of Representatives. Other sections note the hypocrisy of the fact that the building, itself a monument to freedom, was built by enslaved people and the continuing unequal racial and gender representation in Congress. The information-heavy text is divided into three broad categories: “Places,” “People,” and “Perspective” (this last section highlights five notable dates). Text boxes with labels such as “Fun Fact” and “Did You Know?” offer additional context and help to alleviate reading fatigue. Photographs, historical newspaper clippings, paintings, and maps pair with humanizing anecdotes to create relevant connections and provide context while keeping the narrative flowing. The detailed table of contents makes this a useful reference for readers to find material for personal and educational uses.

Thorough and well paced: ideal for browsing or research. (Capitol timeline, selected bibliography, recommended reading, chapter notes, image credits)(Nonfiction. 9-12)

Kirkus Reviews