Our Basic Freedoms

The freedom to practice religion without government interference predates the founding of the United States. The Puritans and other religions came to the New World partly so they could openly worship without persecution. While persecution certainly still existed, this idea became a big part of the First Amendment to the Constitution. This detailed volume introduces readers to the right to freedom of religion through historical context, challenges to that right, and Supreme Court rulings on cases dealing with freedom of religion. The main content is unbiased and written in clear language appropriate for readers exploring this important topic.

The First Amendment is of great importance to Americans because it contains five main civil rights that citizens are guaranteed. These, including the freedom to petition, are the rights most often challenged in Supreme Court cases. Readers learn what freedom of petition entails through the historical context of the Bill of Rights and cases brought before the Supreme Court. Historical images and full-color photographs complement the main content, and fact boxes and sidebars give readers deeper explanations and perspective about this civil right.

The press had been called the "fourth estate," and in history has served as an important check on the US government's power. As new technology allows who is the "press" to grow and become less certain, the right to freedom of the press is sure to continue being challenged. This book prepares readers to understand future challenges by introducing this important part of the First Amendment. Including detailed historical context on both the right to freedom of the press and the press itself, the unbiased main content supplements the social studies curriculum with clear, relevant information.

Sometimes, citizens believe having freedom of speech means they can say anything with no consequences. But over time, laws and Supreme Court rulings have limited the full "freedom" of this right to exclude hate speech and other potentially harmful expressions. Through examples, historical context, and clear explanations, readers learn the full extent of their freedom of speech. Modern court cases, particularly those having to do with students, show the relevance of this right in readers' lives. Fact boxes, sidebars, historical images, and full-color photographs add even more information about the history of the Bill of Rights and the First Amendment.

Americans' right to freedom of assembly has been interpreted over the years to mean the right to peacefully protest. From Vietnam War protests to the Occupy Wall Street movement, protests invoking this right have shown time and again when citizens want change. Modern examples and historical context are used to introduce middle school readers to this civil right. The main content includes landmark Supreme Court cases, information on the Civil Rights movement, and background on the Bill of Rights as a whole. This book is an excellent companion to classroom learning about the First Amendment.

The Second Amendment remains a controversial one today. Broadly worded within the Bill of Rights, its meaning has been challenged by numerous Supreme Court cases and continues to be challenged frequently in the court of public opinion. This book presents an unbiased look at the meaning and history of the right to bear arms. Through age-appropriate language and relevant examples, the main content shows readers how difficult interpreting civil rights can be and aids them in sorting out their own views. Fact boxes and sidebars add further explanations and perspectives appropriate for readers learning about this timely topic.