Fault Lines in the Constitution: The Graphic Novel: Civics Resources

FAULT LINES IN THE CONSTITUTION: THE GRAPHIC NOVEL: CIVICS RESOURCES

Best Users: School Librarians, Educators, Community Organizations, Social Studies Teachers, Citizens
Best Audience: Children Grades 06-Adult

Recognize the title? Yes! Peachtree Publishing first released it in a prose version in 2017 and updated it in 2019. Then, First Second acquired the rights for their new World Citizen Comics line!

WEBINAR ON THE CONSTITUTION

Author Cynthia Levinson and Constitutional scholar Sanford Levinson discuss Covid-19, the upcoming election, the protests, and how these issues are related to the creation of the US Constitution. The conversation is moderated by Mary Ellen Daneels, Law-related Educator of the Year from the Constitutional Rights Foundation of Chicago.

CIVICS RESOURCES

In this fraught political period, educators, librarians, and citizens may find themselves exploring the Electoral College, gerrymandering, voting rights, majority rule, presidential succession with students and other readers. The Boston Globe calls the Fault Lines in the Constitution: The Graphic Novel a “succinct, powerful, playful, provocative” way to do just that.

There is an ever-growing collection of incredible tools to teach these important Civics lessons here:
Graphic Novel: Resources for Teachers
Graphic Novel: Resources for Kids

Images © Ally Shwed

ABOUT THE BOOK

Fault Lines in the Constitution: The Graphic Novel
Series: World Citizen Comics
By Cynthia Levinson, Sanford Levinson
Illustrated by Ally Shwed
Published by First Second
ISBN-13: 9781250211613
Age Range: 12-Adult

In 1787, after 116 days of heated debates and bitter arguments, the United States Constitution was created. This imperfect document set forth America’s guiding principles, but it would also introduce some of today’s most contentious political issues—from gerrymandering, to the Electoral College, to presidential impeachment.

With colorful art, compelling discourse, and true stories from America’s past and present, Fault Lines in the Constitution: The Graphic Novel sheds light on how today’s political struggles have their origins in the decisions of our Founding Fathers.

Children’s book author Cynthia Levinson, constitutional law scholar Sanford Levinson, and artist Ally Shwed deftly illustrate how contemporary problems arose from this founding document—and then they offer possible solutions.

“The Levinsons create an approachable mix of anecdotes, comparisons with governments from around the world, and a fanciful imagining of the Framers frustratedly yelling and throwing their hands in the air. This tone, plus Shwed’s intentionally limited color palette of mostly red, white, blue, black, and gold, calls to mind Schoolhouse Rock animations…”
—Booklist”
.
“When they reach the concluding exercise in grading the Constitution and their own debate…readers will be prepared to chip in their own two cents.”
—Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
.
“A provocative illumination of the nooks and crannies of a document that citizens have come to take for granted.”
—Kirkus Reviews

THE GIVEAWAY

We were delighted to give away a copy of Fault Lines in the Constitution: The Graphic Novel to 17 random educators and librarians serving readers ages 12+. Our thanks to First Second for this rather stunning donation!