The United States of America is a complex nation. At various times in its nearly 250-year history, the country’s citizens have endured racism, poverty, and gun violence. They’ve been split apart and brought together by politics, news media, and ideas about what constitutes a basic human right. In this nonfiction series, early high schoolers will learn the history behind many social studies hot topics, including immigration, voting rights, and LGBTQ+ discrimination; how and why we continue to struggle today; and what’s being done to improve those challenging aspects of living in America. Each title includes real-life profiles of people who are living the featured topic, factual sidebars, a glossary, and an index. Fake news is nothing new. Since the earliest days of the United States, people have spread falsehoods and lies though word of mouth and every type of media, from newspapers and radio to propaganda films, television, and the Internet. This nonfiction social studies title for young adults examines the history of fake news and circular reasoning faced by Americans, including the rise of social media and current events such as COVID-19 and the “stolen election” of Donald Trump. Includes sidebars, a glossary, a timeline, and profiles of journalist Martha Roundtree and social psychology professor Sander van der Linden.
