Gun Control: Is It a Right or a Danger to Bear Arms? (Issues of Our Time)

Steven Otfinoski has written more than 150 books for young readers. Three of his nonfiction books have been chosen Books for the Teen Age by the New York Public Library. Steve is also a playwright and has his own theater company that brings one-person plays about American history to schools. Steve lives in Connecticut with his wife, who is a teacher. They have two children, two dogs, and a cat. When he's not writing he enjoys swimming, tennis, reading, and singing in his church choir.

The long-running Cornerstones of Freedom series takes topics and names with which young readers are familiar and puts them into context. Gun Control discusses why there is a controversy over the Second Amendment, explaining that, historically, the U.S. was kept safe by its local militias, which is why that phrase appears in the amendment. Otfinoski goes on to look at how the amendment evolved into the ideal held by the NRA and others of unfettered access to guns. Several notable gun tragedies are examined in relation to the issue. The series has a colorful, engaging design and uses plenty of photographs. A “Living History” section points out primary sources, and a map in each book pinpoints where important events happened. Grades 5-8. --Ilene Cooper