The Supreme Court and Us

January 1, 2022
Two young girls go sightseeing in Washington, D.C., and learn about the history of the judicial body, its functioning, and its impact on society. First, Ada and Bea (who have no adults accompanying them) visit the U.S. Capitol, where a friendly female African American judge educates them about her profession. Next stop is the Washington Monument, where a White male photographer teaches them about the three branches of government and the concept of the separation of powers, using his tripod as an object lesson. Inside the National Archives Building, an anthropomorphic master copy of the Constitution enlightens the girls about the Judiciary Act of 1789. After that, a White male lawyer lets the girls tour his office, where portraits of federal justices and regular citizens involved in landmark Supreme Court cases come to life and share their stories. The final stop is, of course, the Supreme Court Building itself, where yet more accommodating adults help the protagonists gain an understanding of court procedures. Colorful graphic-novel panels and speech bubbles throughout make this important topic approachable. The main characters have tan skin and Bea is possibly Asian American. The backmatter includes capsule biographies of several Supreme Court justices, a timeline of events that led up to the historic Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka ruling on school desegregation, a glossary, and a list of court cases referenced in the book. Creative and informative, this child-friendly legal primer will be a great addition to home and school libraries. (Nonfiction picture book. 6-10)

COPYRIGHT(2022) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

May 1, 2022
Grades 1-3 In a format somewhere between a graphic novel and a picture book, Mihaly and Daggett introduce readers to the Supreme Court. Two cheerful young girls act as guides, asking questions, telling riddles, and offering general commentary in their speech bubbles. A personified U.S. Constitution and a lawyerly man explain the basic structure and function of the court, and portraits of historical figures (Chief Justice John Marshall, Linda Brown, Mildred and Richard Loving, Richard Nixon) speak in the first person about landmark cases. Cases involving children and school contexts get special attention. These include not only Brown v. Board of Education but also cases about whether Jehovah's Witnesses should be required to say the Pledge of Allegiance in the classroom, and one involving young people suing the U.S. government over climate change. In addition to reviewing important historical cases, the book introduces key judicial concepts such as precedent. A unique, fun introduction to the ""nine noses and ninety toes"" of the Supreme Court, which have ""the power to change your life.

COPYRIGHT(2022) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.