Social Studies

Did you know that we vote on the presidential election in November because it's right after harvest time, but before brutal winter weather? There's all kinds of interesting details behind when and how people vote. People vote in a few different ways. Most often, voters go to a polling place to cast their ballot. There, voters may cast their ballot on a piece of paper or electronically. Paper votes are counted by hand, whereas electronic votes are tallied in real time. In other cases, people register to receive an absentee ballot. This means they can send their vote in to be counted through the mail. The information in this book provides readers with an idea of what their adult lives will require in terms of civic duties. Colorful photographs provide readers with close textual correlations.

Thanksgiving is a uniquely American holiday. Rich with history, this book focuses on traditions and feasts that have been practiced for hundreds of years. Young learners may wonder, what exactly are we celebrating, and why? When did these traditions begin? In this informative book, readers will learn about the origins of Thanksgiving and the many ways people celebrate it across the country today. Eye-catching photographs enhance the text and a supportive picture glossary helps develop growing vocabularies.

Memorial Day is an important and special holiday, but some people forget why we celebrate it. On the last Monday of May each year, people around the country gather and remember the men and women who've died while serving in the U.S. military. This educational book encourages readers to reflect on the sacrifices military personnel make to protect our country. This book also touches upon the more lighthearted side of the holiday and the different types of celebrations that people have each year. Featuring full-color photographs and accessible text, this book is sure to engage beginning readers.

Independence Day is a holiday known for the many ways in which people choose to celebrate, parades, cookouts and, of course, fireworks. To many, the holiday is known simply as the Fourth of July. Some readers may not know the reasons we celebrate this holiday. What is the significance of celebrating on this specific date? What exactly happened on July 4, 1776? With accessible vocabulary and eye-catching photographs, this book will teach readers about the history behind the holiday, and the different ways that families across the country celebrate Independence Day.

Who was Christopher Columbus, and why do we honor his achievements today? Columbus' accidental discovery of the Americas is what many mark as the beginning of the Age of Exploration. From the moment the Old World met the New World, the destiny of the Americas would be forever changed. Readers will get the chance to understand who Christopher Columbus was and why his discovery was so important. Had Columbus and his men never arrived in the Americas, the country we live in would be an entirely different place. Colorful photographs and a picture glossary make this book accessible and fun for young learners.

The United States may be a relatively young country, but in just over 240 years of independence, the United States has had more than 40 presidents. Being president isn't an easy job, so every year we take a day to celebrate and honor the presidents of past and present. This informative book teaches readers more about the history of the role of president of the United States and highlights particularly influential presidents of the past. Colorful images help readers explore how different families like to celebrate Presidents' Day.

For almost 100 years, the United States has set aside a special day to honor its veterans. This holiday is a chance for the rest of the country to appreciate and remember all the military personnel, both alive and dead, that have fought to protect the United States from domestic and foreign threats. Readers will learn that it's important to recognize and be thankful for our nation's veterans. These people are willing to sacrifice their well-being for the sake of the entire country. This book features eye-catching photographs, accessible language perfect beginning readers, and a picture glossary to help develop expanding vocabularies.

Each year, Martin Luther King Jr. Day serves as a reminder of the life and work of one of America's greatest civil rights activists. In this informative book, readers will learn about the importance of the civil rights movement and why we celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Full-color photographs accompany the text. This essential book features accessible language that is ideal for children in the early stages of learning to read.

Each year, the first Monday in September marks the celebration of Labor Day. This special holiday has been around since the 19th century, when the labor movement pushed for better workers' rights. Labor Day is also a way to honor and thank all the hard work that the American people put into their jobs every day. This book explores the history of the holiday and the different ways families celebrate Labor Day. Accessible text and closely correlating photographs make this book perfect for young readers. A picture glossary helps readers expand their vocabulary.

All U.S. citizens, regardless of age, race, sex, and nation of origin, have the right to vote. White male landowners used to be the only people able to vote in the United States. Women, people of color, and immigrants didn't always have the right to vote. As a result, all eligible people should have an appreciation for their right to vote and exercise that right as often as they can. The United States is a democratic country, meaning that its citizens have the power to control who occupies public offices. This book explores what compels people to vote. Colorful photographs aid readers in making close textual connections.

Citizens of the United States have the freedom to choose who they vote for. Voters can choose from a number of candidates. Most people belong to a political party and they often choose to vote for the candidate belonging to their political party. However, sometimes people choose to vote for a person regardless of their political affiliation. This book explores how people choose a candidate to vote for and why that choice matters. Relevant images aid readers in making textual connections.

Respect for the opinions and beliefs of others is not only a critical component of democracy but also of everyday life. Using easy-to-understand concepts such as the "golden rule," or treating others as one would want to be treated, this book shows students that respecting others and engaging in reciprocity, even when we disagree, is important and necessary. The ability to "disagree agreeably" is increasingly important in the current political and societal atmosphere. Introducing students to this concept early can make a real difference in how they interact with others now and later in life. "The books' style fo Spanish will resonate with a wide audience, and the link to suggested reading will catalyze students to learn more about their favorite civics topics. Verdict: An essential addition to any social studies collection. This series touches on relevant current events and topics.

Fairness is an increasingly discussed issue in U.S. society today. With growing inequality around the world, a discussion of what is fair is vital to understanding democracy and the kind of culture we want to have. In this critical examination of what constitutes "fairness," students learn the difference between "fair" and "equal" and that sometimes what is fair is not always equal for everyone. While it may be true that "life isn't always fair," a more fair society makes for a healthier democracy. "The books' style fo Spanish will resonate with a wide audience, and the link to suggested reading will catalyze students to learn more about their favorite civics topics. Verdict: An essential addition to any social studies collection. This series touches on relevant current events and topics.

Equality is a contentious issue in our society today. This is why it's important for students to be given information related to equality so they can come to reasonable conclusions of their own. Using age-appropriate language, this book discusses equality in a number of different forms and touches upon why equality is so important in a democracy. The text also explores how extreme equality, like most extremes, could be a bad and unrealistic idea. Readers will gain enough information to understand and think about this complex idea for themselves. "The books' style fo Spanish will resonate with a wide audience, and the link to suggested reading will catalyze students to learn more about their favorite civics topics. Verdict: An essential addition to any social studies collection. This series touches on relevant current events and topics.

Individual freedom is the backbone of our democratic system, but it's often misinterpreted as "doing whatever you want." This book takes an in-depth look at how individual freedoms are critical to a vibrant and functioning democracy. The text also highlights how some decisions made in government end up meaning more freedom for some but less for others. Students are shown the difference between freedom to do things and freedom from the actions of others. Readers will also learn how some of the freedoms we take for granted are critical to the way our society works. "The books' style fo Spanish will resonate with a wide audience, and the link to suggested reading will catalyze students to learn more about their favorite civics topics. Verdict: An essential addition to any social studies collection. This series touches on relevant current events and topics.

Majority rule is important in any well-functioning democracy. Students will be introduced to the concept using everyday examples that may also be applied to society more broadly. This book examines how majority rule can turn into the "tyranny of the majority" and why the minority should be protected. In addition, readers are shown that the majority decision is not always appropriate and that having a minority opinion is always important. After reading this book, students will understand the importance that majority rule holds in a democratic society while putting it in the proper context of respect for others' opinions, even if the majority disagrees. "The books' style fo Spanish will resonate with a wide audience, and the link to suggested reading will catalyze students to learn more about their favorite civics topics. Verdict: An essential addition to any social studies collection. This series touches on relevant current events and topics.

Voting is the expression of one's opinion or choice. This means voting can be anything from making a choice about what to eat for breakfast or who should be the next president of the United States of America. In the United States, people vote by casting a secret ballot. There are many situations that require people's votes in the United States. Citizens vote for people to hold public office in the local, state, and federal governments. This book explores what voting is through accessible language. Dynamic photographs of a wide range of people help readers make connections to the text.