In The Good Citizen, some of the most eminent contemporary thinkers take up the question of the future of American democracy in an age of globalization, growing civic apathy, corporate unaccountability, and purported fragmentation of the American common identity by identity politics.

“Respect—don’t know what it means to me.” Aretha Franklin could have said the same thing about good citizenship. Many of today’s youth don’t know what good citizenship means to them. Not enough emphasis is being placed on the role of civility in our modern society. Gone are the days when it was just as important to get good grades in citizenship as it was in the three Rs. Many of the behavior problems that plague our public school systems can be traced back to lack of knowledge about good citizenship. This little book is designed to help refocus our youth on learning and appreciating the value of good citizenship not just in school but also at home and everyplace else. Good Citizenship for Today offers behavioral options and alternative thought processes in a lighthearted, easy-to-understand way. When used with the accompanying incentive program, Good Citizenship for Today can be an effective tool for helping our youth become the good citizens that they deserve to be.

"Investigation has shown that the greatest number of violations of law in large cities are due not so much to disrespect for authority of the Law as to ignorance of the Law, especially of that part of the Law covered by local ordinances. It is far more important for the welfare of the state that a child should be made to realize his present obligations to the commonwealth than that he should know the qualifications of a United States Senator. The belief that a knowledge of things close at hand should be acquired first, and that such knowledge should be made to include the personal relations of the child to the Law, is rapidly becoming an educational principle...This book is planned to meet the needs of fourth year children, but in the hands of an intelligent teacher it can be used both in higher and in lower grades...It is hoped, therefore, that the book will be of real help to all teachers who aim to bring children to a realization of their best selves, and to all children who are capable of appreciating the worth of good citizenship." --From the Preface.

This next generation of U.S. citizens has the opportunity to shape the nation and the world. With knowledge of the foundations of citizenship and society, readers can make informed decisions and actively participate in their community and wider government. This book teaches readers about the civics concept of understanding citizenship through engaging text and colorful photographs. In this book, readers will learn about what citizenship means online. This nonfiction book is paired with the fiction book I Am a Digital Citizen (ISBN: 9781538365489). The instructional guide on the inside front and back covers provides: Vocabulary, Background knowledge, Text-dependent questions, Whole class activities, and Independent activities.