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Fault Lines in the Constitution (Third Edition): The Framers, Their Fights, and the Flaws that Affect Us Today
Many of the political issues we struggle with today have their roots in the US Constitution. This book explores 21 of the fault lines that were created in 1787 and are still causing problems today.
"Should be read by every single adult who lives in America.” —Laurie Halse Anderson
This revised edition of an essential book on the U. S. Constitution offers insight for everyone grappling with today's most urgent political issues. Many of us take certain features in our system for granted, even when we complain about them. But in fact, they are the result of bitter haggling in an overheated room in 1787—and we’re still experiencing the ramifications.
Fault Lines in the Constitution takes readers back to the creation of this historic document and discusses the original intent and worldview of the Framers, when and how problems arose after the fact, and possible solutions for those problems, inspired by both constitutions of US states and other countries. Each chapter begins with a story—all but one of them true—that connects directly back to a section of the document that forms the basis of our society and government.
Written by an award-winning middle grade author and a constitutional law scholar, this new edition has been revised to reflect political and social changes leading up to and following the 2024 national election, this new edition will include updated content throughout, two new chapters on Impeachment and Secession, and significant expansion of the chapters on Emergency Powers and Term Limits.
"Should be read by every single adult who lives in America.” —Laurie Halse Anderson
This revised edition of an essential book on the U. S. Constitution offers insight for everyone grappling with today's most urgent political issues. Many of us take certain features in our system for granted, even when we complain about them. But in fact, they are the result of bitter haggling in an overheated room in 1787—and we’re still experiencing the ramifications.
Fault Lines in the Constitution takes readers back to the creation of this historic document and discusses the original intent and worldview of the Framers, when and how problems arose after the fact, and possible solutions for those problems, inspired by both constitutions of US states and other countries. Each chapter begins with a story—all but one of them true—that connects directly back to a section of the document that forms the basis of our society and government.
Written by an award-winning middle grade author and a constitutional law scholar, this new edition has been revised to reflect political and social changes leading up to and following the 2024 national election, this new edition will include updated content throughout, two new chapters on Impeachment and Secession, and significant expansion of the chapters on Emergency Powers and Term Limits.
320 pages, Hardcover
Published July 22, 2025
14 people want to read
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
September 2, 2025
4.5 stars for me.
Cynthia and Sanford Levinson, a noted children's author and a constitutional scholar, have created a fascinating nonfiction book for young people--useful to readers of any age--that considers how the constitution was shaped, factors that continue to push its evolution, processes that guide our governance and laws, stumbling blocks toward progress, and how we can improve our guiding principles as our nation's needs continue to grow.
Cynthia has extensive experience authoring about big issues and making them feel accessible and understandable (she's a former teacher and educational policy consultant), such as Who Owns the Moon? and We've Got a Job. Teaming up with Sanford, a legal scholar, professor, and author of several books about the Constitution, has resulted in the valuable, needed book Fault Lines in the Constitution.
Designed for young people, Fault Lines is illuminating for anyone looking to get up to speed on the Framers' considerations, why the Constitution was shaped the way it was, its evolution, the possibilities and barriers in place regarding changing it, our current, growing needs, and how all of this affects our day-to-day leadership, rights, and lives.
Is a book for young people about the Constitution possibly the extent of the scope of my own current abilities to understand the ins and outs of all of this? Possibly, yes. Do the Levinsons' clear content along with the engaging book design (with graphics, examples from the past and present day, and plain language around challenges and opportunities) make for informative, entertaining, important reading? Yes. And does grasping the information contained in Fault Lines feel more relevant and essential than ever, as the current administration--and its unelected influencers--challenge and disregard the power of the Constitution and its impact on our lives in large-scale, destructive, and often terrifying ways? Definitely.
By explaining decisions formed in 1787 and how they impact us today, the Levinsons lay out the ins and outs of voters' rights, the Electoral College, gerrymandering, representation across states, vetoes, term limits, pardons, succession, emergency powers, and amendments. Fault Lines considers what might need to develop in order to best serve and reflect the realities of our present-day nation, finishing with a grade for each aspect of the Constitution and a tone of empowerment for change.
Note that this is a new edition of this title that reflects relevant factors and events through early 2025.
For more Bossy nonfiction book reviews and love, please check out the books at this link.
To see my full review on Bossy Bookworm, or to find out about Bossy reviews and Greedy Reading Lists as soon as they're posted, please see Fault Lines in the Constitution.
Find hundreds of reviews and lots of roundups of my favorite books on the blog: Bossy Bookworm
Follow me on Instagram! @bossybookwormblog
Or Facebook! Bossy Bookworm
Cynthia and Sanford Levinson, a noted children's author and a constitutional scholar, have created a fascinating nonfiction book for young people--useful to readers of any age--that considers how the constitution was shaped, factors that continue to push its evolution, processes that guide our governance and laws, stumbling blocks toward progress, and how we can improve our guiding principles as our nation's needs continue to grow.
Cynthia has extensive experience authoring about big issues and making them feel accessible and understandable (she's a former teacher and educational policy consultant), such as Who Owns the Moon? and We've Got a Job. Teaming up with Sanford, a legal scholar, professor, and author of several books about the Constitution, has resulted in the valuable, needed book Fault Lines in the Constitution.
Designed for young people, Fault Lines is illuminating for anyone looking to get up to speed on the Framers' considerations, why the Constitution was shaped the way it was, its evolution, the possibilities and barriers in place regarding changing it, our current, growing needs, and how all of this affects our day-to-day leadership, rights, and lives.
Is a book for young people about the Constitution possibly the extent of the scope of my own current abilities to understand the ins and outs of all of this? Possibly, yes. Do the Levinsons' clear content along with the engaging book design (with graphics, examples from the past and present day, and plain language around challenges and opportunities) make for informative, entertaining, important reading? Yes. And does grasping the information contained in Fault Lines feel more relevant and essential than ever, as the current administration--and its unelected influencers--challenge and disregard the power of the Constitution and its impact on our lives in large-scale, destructive, and often terrifying ways? Definitely.
By explaining decisions formed in 1787 and how they impact us today, the Levinsons lay out the ins and outs of voters' rights, the Electoral College, gerrymandering, representation across states, vetoes, term limits, pardons, succession, emergency powers, and amendments. Fault Lines considers what might need to develop in order to best serve and reflect the realities of our present-day nation, finishing with a grade for each aspect of the Constitution and a tone of empowerment for change.
Note that this is a new edition of this title that reflects relevant factors and events through early 2025.
For more Bossy nonfiction book reviews and love, please check out the books at this link.
To see my full review on Bossy Bookworm, or to find out about Bossy reviews and Greedy Reading Lists as soon as they're posted, please see Fault Lines in the Constitution.
Find hundreds of reviews and lots of roundups of my favorite books on the blog: Bossy Bookworm
Follow me on Instagram! @bossybookwormblog
Or Facebook! Bossy Bookworm
Displaying 1 of 1 review