Great Debates

The United States Constitution announced to the world that, in America, all people were created equal. But even then, some people were "more equal" than others. The long struggle to put all Americans on an equal footing has defined the moral character of our nation for two centuries. The Fight for Freedom traces the history of the Civil Rights, Women's Rights, and Gay Rights movements, stopping at key moments along the way to check in on the Great Debates that made Americans think hard about what their country really stands for. Young readers will discover that, although the arguments may have changed, the central question of discrimination is still very much in play. In that way, The Fight for Freedom helps them make connections and experience history in a living, breathing way. Aligns with Common Core Language Arts Anchor Standards for Reading Informational Text and Speaking and Listening. Text contains critical thinking components in regards to social issues and history.

Among the basic principles upon which America is based is the freedom of each person to worship as he or she pleases. That has made the United States a magnet for religious refugees for more than two centuries. However, it has done little to eliminate conflict and controversy over religious differences. "Church and State" examines the influence of religion on government-and government on religion-stopping at key moments along the way to examine the great debates in a nation founded on the idea of keeping them apart. Young readers will discover that the arguments taking place today are amazingly similar to the ones that have fanned the flames of passion for generations. "Church and State" engages young readers and provides them with the context and history needed to join the debate on these issues...and ultimately issues the challenge to Find Your Voice. Aligns with Common Core Language Arts Anchor Standards for Reading Informational Text and Speaking and Listening. Text contains critical thinking components in regards to social issues and history.

America has been called a nation of guns. Given that there are as many firearms as people in the United States comes as no surprise. Yet of all the issues that divide Americans, none drives them farther apart than the balance between gun rights and gun control. "Lethal Weapons" looks at the history of guns in the U.S., stopping at key moments along the way to examine the great debates that have altered the course of national policy on the right to bear arms. Young readers will discover that the arguments over gun control today are remarkably similar to the social, political, and economic questions that have sparked controversy for more than a century. "Lethal Weapons" engages young readers and provides them with the context and history needed to join the debate on these issues...and ultimately issues the challenge to Find Your Voice. Aligns with Common Core Language Arts Anchor Standards for Reading Informational Text and Speaking and Listening. Text contains critical thinking components in regards to social issues and history.

America has been called a country of immigrants. Yet the country has rarely welcomed them with open arms. Newcomers have been encountering fear, suspicion, and misunderstanding for more than 200 years. "New Americans" tells the story of immigration in the United States, stopping at key moments along the way to examine the great debates that have altered the course of national policy and changed the face of a nation. Young readers will discover that the push and pull over immigration policy today is astonishingly similar to the social and political questions that have sparked controversy since the 1700s. "New Americans" engages young readers and provides them with the context and history needed to join the debate on these issues...and ultimately issues the challenge to Find Your Voice. Aligns with Common Core Language Arts Anchor Standards for Reading Informational Text and Speaking and Listening. Text contains critical thinking components in regards to social issues and history.

Few issues are more hotly contested-both here and abroad-than the role of the United States armed forces. Do we fight for freedom? Are we the world police? What makes a problem half a world away a matter of national security? Our Military explores the shifting role of the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines through more than two centuries of conflict, stopping at key moments along the way to check in on the Great Debates that have altered the course of world history. Young readers will discover that disagreements over the size, strength, purpose, and cost of our armed forces are nothing new. They have sparked controversy since the Revolutionary War. Our Military engages young readers and provides them with the context and history needed to join the debate on these issues... and ultimately issues the challenge to Find Your Voice. Aligns with Common Core Language Arts Anchor Standards for Reading Informational Text and Speaking and Listening. Text contains critical thinking components in regards to social issues and history.