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For Immediate ReleaseDate: December 4, 2024

Author and Fulbright Scholar Allison Matulli to Appear on Tobago Updates News for an Exclusive Interview and Disney 2025 Book Cover Reveal

Tobago, December 2024 – Globally recognized author and Fulbright Scholar Allison Matulli will appear on Tobago Updates News for an exclusive interview and the much-anticipated reveal of her first of two upcoming Disney books. Her first title, I AM BECAUSE WE ARE, celebrates the Ubuntu philosophy of interconnection and shared humanity, which is deeply rooted in African traditions and values.

As an advocate for free speech and education, Allison Matulli is known for weaving powerful messages into her writing and lessons in the classroom at Florida International University, Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice. With a legal background, a graduate of the renowned Howard University School of Law, and a career dedicated to global education, she has inspired countless readers worldwide. Matulli’s commitment to storytelling as a tool for social change is reflected in her work, resonating with readers of all ages.

Reflecting on the Ubuntu philosophy, Matulli shared, “I AM BECAUSE WE ARE is more than a book; it is a call to embrace the interconnectedness of our shared humanity.” She cited Nelson Mandela’s profound words:
“Ubuntu does not mean that people should not enrich themselves. The question therefore is: Are you going to do so in order to enable the community around you to be able to improve?”

Matulli extended heartfelt thanks to Lilly, her literary agent from Full Circle Literary Agency, and Sylvie Frank, her editor at Disney Publishing, for their unwavering support. “Lilly and Sylvie have been instrumental in bringing my vision to life. I am incredibly grateful for their expertise and belief in this project.”

Catch the full interview on Tobago Updates News to hear Allison Matulli discuss the creative process behind I AM BECAUSE WE ARE, her passion for storytelling, and the first ever reveal of her 2025 Disney book cover.

For updates, visit Tobago Updates News, Disney Publishing, and Full Circle Literary Agency.

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About Allison Matulli:

Allison Matulli is the first ever Global Fulbright Scholar at Florida International University, author, and global educator who champions free speech and cultural understanding through her writing. Her first book, Your Freedom, Your Power: A Kid’s Guide to the First Amendment reflects her mission to inspire children by her belief in the transformative power of education and her passion for fostering dialogue across communities.

For inquiries, please contact: 

Camila Ávila: camila@thelittlelawyers.com

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Magali Zoghaib | Staff Writer 

The Maurice A. Ferré Institute for Civic Leadership hosted another successful event of their Black Women in Law series featuring Allison Matulli. 

Matulli, an author, professor at the Criminology and Criminal Justice department at FIU, and former attorney spoke at length regarding her strong belief in considering ‘free speech’ rights a fundamental part of who we are as a person and the importance of understanding those rights from a young age. 

Read more…

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ON TOUR: Allison Matulli, author of YOUR FREEDOM, YOUR POWER 

An empowering, relevant guide to the First Amendment for middle grade readers! 

Book and tour information below 

The First Amendment grants kids and every other citizen five monster privileges: freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of assembly, and the right to petition the government. If the First Amendment is everywhere in their lives, shouldn’t kids know more about it? 

In YOUR FREEDOM, YOUR POWER (on sale now), young readers get a focused look at their freedoms and rights through the lens of the all-powerful ​First A​mendment. This book features interviews with changemakers like Mary Beth Tinker, Jerome Foster II, and Sydney Helfand, and each section addresses key questions like:  

• Do I have the right to protest at school?  
• Can I be punished at school for something I say on social media?  
• Why can’t I wear whatever I want?  
• Can I text whatever I want?  

YOUR FREEDOM, YOUR POWER shares the fascinating stories behind some of the most important legal cases and social movements that have affected kids’ lives and rights while answering key questions and explaining essential legal concepts every kid should know. 

The book also provides middle grade readers with a nonpartisan, unbiased look at the First Amendment that clearly explains the fundamentals of American politics and shows them the freedoms, protections, and consequences of this cornerstone of American life and politics. This empowering must-read will teach kids to speak up and stand up by breaking down this incredibly important law. A must-have for every bookshelf! 

Praise for YOUR FREEDOM, YOUR POWER 

“This offering’s subtitle includes the words ‘A Kid’s Guide,’ and here those words are especially apt….Students, parents, and teachers will appreciate the generous back matter and direct approach, and this works equally well as leisure reading for young activists, a homework helper, or a classroom supplement. Most important, this book empowers kids, telling them how to use their voices and defend their rights.”  —Booklist, starred review 

“Current, insightful, and savvy.”—Kirkus Reviews 

“Matulli and Castro-Malaspina break down the functions of the First Amendment in this handy guide to American politics. Through their conversational approach, the authors demystify the document to present a primer for young people.”—Publishers Weekly 

About the Authors 

Allison Matulli is a former attorney and educator, now Founder of The Little Lawyers, an organization promoting legal awareness for children. The mother of two and a certified American Montessori lead teacher, Allison is well aware that children are empowered when they have access to all the tools they need. Knowing their rights and respecting others’ rights must be among these instruments guiding children to be conscious citizens. Allison is an educational reform activist who consults with schools worldwide on how to provide those tools by introducing and teaching ​     ​educators and kids to address issues of race, systemic racism, prejudice, legal literacy, diversity, and inclusion. She continues to use her voice to speak up for children’s rights, whether as a keynote speaker on Tuesday Times (a round table sponsored by the New York Times) or as a contributing writer for journals such as Education Week. Allison holds a B.A. in Economics from St. Joseph’s University, a Master’s in Education from Endicott College and a J.D. from Howard University School of Law. She is based in Miami where she lives with her husband and two children, Santo Max and Eva Skye. You can learn more about Allison at www.thelittlelawyers.com. 
 

Clelia Castro-Malaspina is a former attorney who believes in making the law more accessible to kids. Also a former literary agent, she recently launched Mossy Pines Creative, a developmental editing company specializing in children’s books. She received her bachelor’s degrees in English and Communications from Boston College, her law degree from American University Washington College of Law and her Master’s in Publishing and Writing from Emerson College. She lives on Mercer Island, Washington, a suburb of Seattle, with her husband and two daughters. You can learn more about Clelia at www.mossypinescreative.com or on Instagram at @mossypinesclelia.  

                                          YOUR FREEDOM, YOUR POWER: A KID’S GUIDE TO THE FIRST AMENDMENT    

By Allison Matulli with Clelia Castro-Malaspina; Illustrated by Carmelle Kendall 

Running Press Kids; ages 10-13; Hardcover; $16.99 US; $22.99 CAN 

ISBN: 9780762478385; e-book ISBN: 9780762478392 

Publication Date: July 25, 2023 

BOOK TOUR INFORMATION

Author/teacher/Global Fulbright Scholar Allison Matulli will host an in-person reading, empowering activity for students, and book signing exclusively for 3 schools per city visit. Space is limited, so email to learn more. Responses will be sent as soon as dates are finalized on/by May 31, 2024.

Email us to learn more: help@thelittlelawyers.com

EMAIL US NOW & YOU WILL GET A FREE CURRICULUM GUIDE FOR YOUR FREEDOM, YOUR POWER!

Bulk and Premium Orders:  

YOUR FREEDOM, YOUR POWER is available for bulk or premium purchase direct from the publisher. For inquiries about costs and delivery, contact the special markets experts at customerservice@hbgusa.com or call 1-800-759-0190.   

 
For international queries, email internationalsales@hbgusa.com.  

In the USA and Canada books can be ordered from local booksellers, or from Porchlight or Bookpal among other retailers; contact your preferred bookseller ask for a B2B discount on multiple-copy orders. 

Book Publicity Inquiries: RP_Publicity@hbgusa.com 

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When I first walked into my classroom many years ago, I was not confronted with the same level of First Amendment issues faced by teachers today. In the age of technology meets the age of COVID-19, there is a silently brewing storm. Hence, the upcoming school year will be littered with historic firsts on how administrators, teachers, students and parents battle over how kids exercise their fundamental right to free speech. Before COVID, principals were already suspending students for things they did or said on social media. Teachers were already being asked by parents to supervise student-to-student online interaction. Parents were already reporting cyberbullying on an alarmingly explosive scale. But as digital technology overtakes physical in-person learning, are teachers, principals or schools equipped to deal with the growing ways kids are speaking out online? Or, since kids are not on campus, does that ball fall squarely on parents’ shoulders?

What are the major recent changes to the standard for students’ First Amendment rights?

Guess what? Those First Amendment rights of kids have been stretched more and more to deal with what kids are saying or posting online. In June 2020, a significant expansion occurred to which every teacher and administrator should open their eyes. A Pennsylvania high school got a jaw-dropping lesson in students’ First Amendment protections this summer when the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit granted summary judgment in favor of the student. In B.L. v. Mahanoy Area School District, the teen had posted on SnapChat “f##@ cheer,” among other heated language. The school responded by kicking her off the cheerleading team. As minors cannot bring lawsuits, with parental help, the teenager took her case to court. The Third Circuit federal court determined that school’s decision to remove her from the team violated her First Amendment rights. Basically, it all came down to where this whole SnapChat chitchat happened — OFF CAMPUS! In the tech-age, during which kids are connected to some device almost ALWAYS, that fact can be very blurry. However, the court found that fact to be an essential question — about how to differentiate between “off-campus” and “on-campus” speech.

See what happened at the Supreme Court level—-> in Your Freedom, Your Power [CLICK HERE TO ORDER].

Is this a legal evolution?

In a word —YES! It is what I call the frontier of legal evolution. It is changing now and it will continue to change at a rate exceeding all other fields of law, as technology not only repeatedly changes, but becomes part of our social norm for children. I didn’t get a cell phone until I was a teen. Today, kids are practically born with mobile phones in their infant hands and iPads in their toddler laps.  Let’s face it, digital learning is only growing, and potentially forever more, education will never be the same. More so, like it or not, kids are citizens too and they do have protections of the First Amendment.

In their eagerness or need to be seen, heard, acknowledged, and/or to feel connected, kids are online at a record pace for a record amount of time. Unfortunately, kids are, too often then not, poorly prepared to comprehend what they do virtually could impact their entire future. As kids and parents, you may find yourself wondering —do kids even have First Amendment rights? The First Amendment is as American as apple pie. It is probably the law we all know best. It makes us bold with our voices. It gives us permission to speak up and stand strong for our principle, and sometimes, for the protection of our neighbors or even strangers. That is also part of the fabric of the American spirit. We will not be silenced, regardless of what side of the coin we land on regarding any issue. But, does that slice of apple pie — flavored with a bold, daring spirit — get fed equally to our children? Are the five freedoms covered in the First Amendment even extended to children? The answer is a firm YES!

All five freedoms and rights apply to students. These include the following:

(1) Freedom of religion,

(2) Freedom of speech, 

(3) Freedom of the press,

(4) Freedom to peaceably assemble, and

(5) The right to petition the government.

What does history teach us?

For decades, these freedoms have been a type of tug of war between kids and parents versus school faculty and administrators. Young people throughout history have tested how far their freedoms reach in schools throughout our nation. For this purpose, let’s stick with the freedom of speech, historically the most tested freedom of all, by both kids and adults. In American schools, this standard was first tested by a shy girl who challenged her own school back in the late 1960s. I recently interviewed Mary Beth Tinker for my book Your Freedom, Your Power, and what she had to say is powerful. As her case went all the way to the Supreme Court, it set the standard all schools have to adhere to when it comes to students’ First Amendment rights. First and foremost, the Supreme Court ruled that students not only had First Amendment rights, but their rights were still effective when they were in school.

In Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District, 393 U.S. 503 (1969), Supreme Court held that for school officials to justify censoring speech, they had to prove that the conduct that would “materially and substantially interfere with the requirements of appropriate discipline in the operation of the school.” This established a clearer line in the sand. In every day language, it expanded kids’ rights to free speech. Just because a school didn’t like what a kid had to say, protest about, or wear, doesn’t mean it is not protected by their First Amendment. From that point on, schools seeking to censor students or infringe on their First Amendment right to free speech had to “be able to show that [their] action was caused by something more than a mere desire to avoid the discomfort and unpleasantness that always accompany an unpopular viewpoint.”

What does that mean for today’s teachers?

Today, kids are being exposed more and more to new methods and ways to remotely interact in the world. However, the rules, laws and responsibility that go with these new methods of connecting and communicating and not being taught. Law is woven into every aspect of life, but it is neglected by schools to prepare both teachers and kids to fully understand the legal limits when it comes how they express themselves on the growing list of digital tools (i.e. apps, devices, etc). This is especially true when we look into First Amendment rights.

If you think it was hard before to determine school hours or on campus versus off campus or after school, imagine now. Truly speaking, this is a hurricane, and given the pandemic push to virtually learn to safeguard our health, the hurricane is only growing bigger, stronger and bolder. As a Florida resident, I do not use that analogy lightly but with care and percussion. Why? The law is changing, and kids/teachers/parents/administrators are not fully keeping up with these major legal twists and turns of this silent hurricane. The most massive and eye opening change that has to do with how schools are policing kids online, which ironically, kids are forced to do right now in order to even attend school.

This school year will be the first time, teachers kickoff the school year broadcasting from their basements, living rooms or make shift home-based classrooms. It will be the first time, parents get to witness the weight of teachers’ work, planning and classroom lessons absorbing their children’s day. It will also be the first time, that teachers, parents, administrators and children are forced to deal head-on with the true power of social media and how children are increasingly expressing themselves online. Hence, this historic school year will also be the first time that demands all educators universally understand how, if and/or when the First Amendment applies to students.

How do we handle this all here and now?

The social norm for children and adult has disappeared in 2020 COVID-19 pandemic. Hence, if the true goal shared is to protect our children, as parents and teachers, there must be a willingness to work together. As a parent, my message is for parents to be diligent and attentive about their children’s online actions and interactions. The school should not be responsible keep up with your children digital footprint when they are in your care. For teachers, my message is to keep an open avenue of conversation with parents. Partner together to make sure children are where they need to be, whether virtually, socially, mentally or emotionally. Our children are facing epic challenges, and if we unite, it will make a difference. If you hear anything from another parent, be immediate and appropriate in your response. As kids are increasingly exposed to online campuses and communication practices, the adults around them have to be willing to work hard together to make sure the kids are making health decisions as they employee their First Amendment rights.

Work and wisdom,

Allison Matulli, J.D. | M.Ed. | Ed.D. Candidate | Spicy Food Affectinado | Mom of 2

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