Church & State

Gr 5–7—This series asks readers to consider contemporary and historical debates in America, from immigration to the use of firearms to the relationship between church and state. The authors craft both sides of their arguments with care. Chapters are introduced as questions, such as "Is the freedom of others worth fighting for?" The "Affirmative" and "Negative" sides of the debate are presented in boxes at the bottom of the page. Questions set apart in bold font throughout the texts encourage critical thinking. Unfortunately, the large summary boxes are distracting on pages that already contain graphics, texts, and photos. There should be a hierarchy of emphasis on the dated design elements; instead, every visual competes for attention. There is a dated textbook quality to the boxes with arrows that point up and down. These books are well written and carefully researched, but the clunky design could be a deal-breaker.