Thanks to NetGalley and Quill Tree Books for the digital copy of this book; I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This is a great companion to this author’s Exploring the White House: Inside America’s Most Famous Home (Amazon US), which I checked out of the library after picking up this ARC. I was familiar with the author’s adult non-fiction titles and have always admired the intense amount of research she puts into her work.

I’ve read a lot of books about all things relating to the founding of our nation, yet this middle grade book taught me a lot of interesting things about the capitol, otherwise known as The Hill (the story of how that name came to be is explored.) There’s plenty of interesting information for all ages, from the actual choosing of the site and contest for the design, to the work of the slaves who built the capitol. In fact, there’s a good amount of discussion about the inequalities that have always been a part of this nation and in the halls of Congress.

I liked the many pictures interspersed throughout the text, including some of the Statuary Hall figures, and some of the hideaways found in the capitol. There’s a whole section on the first representatives–first white woman, first black woman, first black man, first Asian American, etc., and there’s also a breakdown of the makeup of the Senate and House and how the representation does not reflect the population (still too many old white men in Congress.) My favorite parts were the stories from people who worked in the capitol over the years, including some people who worked there for over 50 years. There’s even a chapter on a few of the most important days in the capitol’s history, including September 11th and January 6th.

I’m not sure how many kids would pick up this book on their own unless they were doing a book report, or are a civics geek like me, but this is definitely a great resource for educators and should be in schools and libraries across the nation.

The US Capitol complex is a world onto itself. Even if you're visited the Capitol with a tour group and snapped photos, trust me, you've only seen a tiny fraction of what the site encompasses. Even better, not only does author Brower take us on a bit of a behind the scenes tour but we get a briefing on who is who and what is what and how it all came to be. I found it ironic to discover that the Statue of Freedom that we see so frequently pictured on distant shots of the Capitol was largely constructed by Philip Reid, a slave, one bought for some $700, who largely constructed that famous symbol of freedom. Indeed, much of the actual construction was done by slave labor. It's little details like this that help us understand the full story and understand the meaning of this building complex for so many.

I won't detail the contents as there is much to take in here. As a history buff/teacher, I loved reading the entire history of the site, ranging from why it's known as "The Hill" to how we probably got some of the terms we hear tossed around so often, such as lobbying and "drain the swamp". Yes, they're rooted in history. You'll also meet some of the more memorable people with ties to these hallowed halls as well as perhaps envision the building being used as a hospital during the Civil War. You'll get a feel for the Statuary Hall figures, learning who and why each is there. And, hey, do you know who was the first woman to lie in state in the Capitol after her death? Nope, not telling.

Of course, it's the glimpse of life out of the spotlight, what goes on along the miles and miles of hallways within the complex that held my attention. That's where not only the hard work of government takes place but much of the day-to-day work is done to maintain the building and its occupants. If memory serves, it said some 2000+ people work under what is known as the Architect of Capitol caring for the grounds and 78.4 million square feet of the facility. That includes everything from cleaning and dusting, daily chores, to keeping the electric and internet working at a peak, not to mention any number of what we'd probably consider day-to-day chores any home or business requires. Just on a grander scale. I mean, how often does something like this need a fresh coat of paint? The book will tell you, never fear. And, just think how often they have to change the nameplates on the office doors! There are also shops of a sort, not to mention one of the most incredible libraries in the nation. And, I'm only touching the surface of everything. History teachers, while written for children, you definitely need this book, and anyone of any age with an interest in how government actually works will find a great deal to like in this book. Thanks #HarperCollinsChildren'sBooks - #QuillTreeBooks for allowing me this early peek behind the scenes in a place that has always fascinated me for its history and symbolism to all.

This was such an interesting read. I loved learning about what goes on on the “Hill” and I think readers of all ages wanting to know more abt politics etc will gain something from reading this book.

This is a great companion to this author's Exploring the White House: Inside America's Most Famous Home (September 1st 2020), and I'll definitely be purchasing it, since we always take a tour of the Capitol when the 8th graders go to D.C. There was a ton of history, lots of fun facts, and a good attempt at acknowledging the racial iniquities that were part of this famous building. I especially enjoyed the discussion of some of the Statuary Hall figures; it even included my favorite, which is the statue of Harry S Truman, and had a lot of good information about Jeannette Rankin as well. (Who should have been picked to be on the $10 bill!)