Election 2000: A Lesson in Civics (United States Presidents)

Gr 1-3-The brief biography of President Bush covers the basics adequately for report writers. The format is inviting, and includes many clear, color and black-and-white photographs and charts. Election 2000 is more problematic. Divided into two sections, it first describes the election and the legal wrangling that followed. Care was taken to maintain an objective tone in describing all of the various lawsuits. Part II, "A Lesson in Civics," explains many terms children will have heard in election coverage. It offers a simple description of the electoral college; the role of primaries and caucuses; and how a bill becomes a law, highlighting the role of the president. Admittedly, the whole process involving various state and federal courts is complicated, but the narrative is just too cumbersome for the intended audience.