Review: Your Freedom, Your Power: A Kid's Guide to the First Amendment

Allison Matulli’s “Your Freedom, Your Power: A Kid’s Guide to the First Amendment” is an excellent introduction to the topic. It breaks down the First Amendment into its five freedoms, defines each, then provides relevant examples. Matulli uses current examples, but does explain that those examples could be out of date because of changes in the legal landscape. There is a good explanation of the federal court system and how it works.

Though written for middle grade students, this book is suitable for high school students as well. Specialized legal vocabulary is included within the text and complicated court decisions are explained thoroughly. 

This book would be great to have in social studies and journalism classrooms at the middle school and high school levels. I would even recommend it for AP U.S. Government classes for students who are having a hard time breaking down required cases or understanding the federal court system.

“Your Freedom, Your Power” will be out in July 2023.

I received an advance review copy for free from NetGalley and Running Press Kids. I am leaving this review voluntarily.