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9th out of 12 books
—
9 voters
Ellen's Broom
by
Kelly Starling Lyons (Goodreads Author),
Daniel Minter
A young girl learns a new meaning for freedom during the time of Reconstruction
Ellen always knew the broom resting above the hearth was special. Before it was legal for her mother and father to officially be married, the broom was what made them a family anyway. But now all former slaves who had already been married in their hearts could register as lawful husband and wif
...moreHardcover, 32 pages
Published
January 5th 2012
by Putnam Juvenile
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This book is rich and beautiful in both illustrations and content. I read this book to a young pre-school audience knowing they may not have the attention span yet. The kids were inquisitive with the idea of the broom and asked questions throughout the story. Great historical insight in regards to slavery.
Ellen’s Broom
Audience: I feel this book would best fit grades 1-3. The book is packed with colorful pictures. These grades would also best fit the book because it talks about family traditions and these students would be starting to learn about that topic.
Appeal: I believe that students will find this book very appealing because it covers a family tradition. Students in grades 1-3 are just starting to show an interest in things that involve their family tradition. Also the pictures in this stor...more
Audience: I feel this book would best fit grades 1-3. The book is packed with colorful pictures. These grades would also best fit the book because it talks about family traditions and these students would be starting to learn about that topic.
Appeal: I believe that students will find this book very appealing because it covers a family tradition. Students in grades 1-3 are just starting to show an interest in things that involve their family tradition. Also the pictures in this stor...more
The broom has always hung over her families' fireplace. Ellen has always known it's story. When her mama and papa were joined together they were still slaves. Slave marriages were solidified by "jumping the broom" to show that they were sweeping away the old life and leaping into a new one together. But this did not mean that slaves were legally married. If a master wanted to sell a father away from his children, he could.
In church, Ellen's family learns that all former slaves living together as...more
In church, Ellen's family learns that all former slaves living together as...more
A family heritage is something we should all treasure and embrace. The good and bad of our past is what makes us strong as we move forward into the next generation. Kelly Starling has done an excellent job in showing young readers the importance of family in Ellen's Broom.
Ellen sat in church with her family on a day that meant more than all the others. They were free. Slavery days were over. For Ellen's family this meant that in the eyes of the law she and her family would never have to be separ...more
Ellen sat in church with her family on a day that meant more than all the others. They were free. Slavery days were over. For Ellen's family this meant that in the eyes of the law she and her family would never have to be separ...more
Ellen is fully aware of the significance of the broom that hangs on her family's wall since it signifies her parents' marriage. Prior to Reconstruction, slaves were not allowed to marry, and jumping the broom was their way of honoring their commitment to each other. Now that the laws have changed, her parents and their neighbors travel to the local courthouse to officially register thir union. Ellen brings along the broom and decorates it with flowers and vows to jump the broom when the time com...more
May 01, 2013
Brianna Smith
added it
Ellen's Broom shows a lot about slave history in a way that we don't typically learn about. I love that it tells us how slaves would classify themselves as married, when it wasn't legal for them yet. To solidify your marriage then, they had the tradition of having a celebration and jumping over a broom. In the story, Ellen had known about this tradition of the broom, so when her parents were finally legally getting married, she brings the broom for her parents to jump once again. I love this boo...more
I received an advanced copy of this book from the author for review.
Ellen’s Broom is a delightful book about how a broom that was once used during the time of slavery for marriage becomes a tradition. Readers will journey with Ellen as she carries the broom her parents once jumped over during slavery to bind the family, to a courthouse where her parents will be officially married.
Kelly has a wonderful and delightful way of creating characters that connects with young readers. And that connection...more
Ellen’s Broom is a delightful book about how a broom that was once used during the time of slavery for marriage becomes a tradition. Readers will journey with Ellen as she carries the broom her parents once jumped over during slavery to bind the family, to a courthouse where her parents will be officially married.
Kelly has a wonderful and delightful way of creating characters that connects with young readers. And that connection...more
This is a 2013 Coretta Scott King Award Illustrator Honor book. It's marvelous. The book tells about Ellen and her parents, former slaves whose marriage is legally recognized during Reconstruction. Ellen wants the official ceremony to include the broom that her parents jumped over to recognize their loving union as slaves. At first, her parents resist, because of their painful memories, but then they realize it's important to teach their daughter by incorporating all the aspects of their history...more
Read for Youth Librarian Book Group
One of the things I loved about being a history major was finding out little details from the past. The author seems to have the same enjoyment because this book is based on a little bit of history she found: a list of former slave couples who were finally able to really marry once they were free. In this book, Ellen tells the story of her parents who were first married by jumping the broom, but after freedom were able to walk to the courthouse and make it offi...more
One of the things I loved about being a history major was finding out little details from the past. The author seems to have the same enjoyment because this book is based on a little bit of history she found: a list of former slave couples who were finally able to really marry once they were free. In this book, Ellen tells the story of her parents who were first married by jumping the broom, but after freedom were able to walk to the courthouse and make it offi...more
This story has a great moral that shows the importance of acceptance and to grow from the past. As Ellen's parents go to the courthouse to make their marriage official (as marriages between slaves were not originally accepted under law) they decided to bring their wedding broom with them. This symbolized the joining of the past with the future and creating something beautiful out of a troublesome past. Also, students would really benefit from the historical qualities of this story. Overall, I en...more
This was a very enlightening book. I guess I knew that slaves weren't allowed to be legally married, but I just didn't process it as such. I knew about the jumping of the broom but I didn't know that former slaves who had jumped the broom were allowed to go to the court house and be legally married in the eyes of the law after slavery was abolished in the US. This is a sweet little story and also a Coretta Scott King Award. "Non-Violent Social change, Peace, brotherhood, Honor"
Slave marriages were not protected by law and husbands and wives could be separated and sold at any time. For many slaves, who were married in secret, "jumping the broom" was the only wedding ceremony they had.
During Reconstruction, former slaves were allowed to register their marriages legally for the first time.
In the author's note, Kelly Starling Lyons describes the historical connections to Ellen's Broom and her own family's experiences.
During Reconstruction, former slaves were allowed to register their marriages legally for the first time.
In the author's note, Kelly Starling Lyons describes the historical connections to Ellen's Broom and her own family's experiences.
Sharing the Jumping the Broom tradition in her book Kelly Daniel Minter's tells the story of a young girl learning about the tradition after her family has recently been freed from slavery. Minter provides linoleum block prints which are fresh and detailed. The author's note give a starting off point for a discussion on efforts of freed slaves to marry legally in the United States. This book is available for check out at the Gadsden County Public Library.
This book talks about the way things there were in the past on segregation. It focused on the fact that black couples couldn't actually get married by the law. They were married in their own eyes only. It came to pass that the law allowed them to get married and every family in town can actually get their certificate that showed they are married in the eyes of the law.
A great book to add to my diversity collection.
A great book to add to my diversity collection.
After slavery ended, Ellen’s parents’ marriage would finally be recognized by law. Until then, no slave marriages were seen as legal. The broom had always hung over the fireplace mantel in their home and all of the children knew the story of their parents jumping the broom and becoming man and wife. When the family set off to make the marriage legal, all four children came along and Ellen was honored to carry the broom. As their parents were about to be married, Ellen and her sister ran outside...more
Prior to 1866, slave marriages were not acknowledged as formal unions, and it was not uncommon for slaveholders to separate husbands from wives and parents from children. In this warm southern tale set during the Reconstruction era, a young African-American girl celebrates an important, exciting milestone in racial equality: the official recognition of her parents' marriage in the eyes of the law.
African American couples still jump the broom at their wedding ceremonies today. I'm sure young people wonder about it and reading Ellen's Broom is a great way to introduce the tradition to them. It is a very warm and loving story that can open up a lot of conversation among children and parents. Her author's note gives an important look into Lyons' motivation and research.
Another book I bought at the SCBWI-C Fall conference this year. Worth every dollar I paid for it! My 10yo has read the book at least 4 times. Mrs. Lyons has written this with a lyrical, unique voice. The illustrator mirrors that with his folk-art type images that bring out the beauty of the story unfolding. Highly recommend.
I love that this book covers how blacks had to wait until someone to make it legal for families who had been living together for years to keep doing so, just like the white people. I'm not sure, but i think this is one of those rhyming historical moments.
Illustrations are colorful and cheery.
Illustrations are colorful and cheery.
2013 Coretta Scott King Illustration Honor Award. Tells of the tradition of getting married by jumping the broom when slaves were not allowed to get legally married. Also what it meant when a couple could finally have a legal ceremony. Lush illustrations.
"Ellen's Broom" is a very sweet children's picture book with a beautiful message and a history lesson to boot. At 46 years of age, I actually learned something from a children's book, and I feel humbled by it. The illutrations are beautifully done, and the story is upbeat and informative. Thank you GoodReads for this First Reads win.
Coretta Scott King Honor Book for Illustration. Lovely story about a former slave family whose marriage became legal after Emancipation. Their little daughter brings along the broom, which was there all along.
Heartwarming story incorporates painful historic realities of maintaining family units despite coping with slavery. Scratchboard style art is dramatic and effective, well-suited to the story. Author's note is helpful.
A fresh slice of history. An author's note provides more historical information & a personal connection to the story; lists experts consulted. (Including one of my professors from library school! :) )
This book is beautifully written and illustrated. The author brilliantly speaks to both adults and children, with one voice. The story is touching and brings a sense of humanity to our history.
Story of an slave family now able to be married by law, more than jumping over the broom. The daughter Ellen shares the broom with flowers as a bouquet on the day at the courthouse.
Beautiful celebration of freedom, civil rights, and family traditions. Great to share with any grade to begin deep discussions... Thorough author note at the end.
A fictional story based on true experiences. The book talks about African-american family post slavery who seeks to have their marriage legally recognized.
Lovely! An antebellum story telling about the history of "jumping the broom" at African-American weddings. Beautiful full-color linoleum woodcuts.
Well researched story and beautiful illustrations (linoleum block prints) make for a nice addition to black history literature.
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Kelly Starling Lyons is a children's book author whose mission is to transform moments, memories and history into stories of discovery. Her books include chapter book, NEATE: Eddie's Ordeal (Just Us Books, 2004), and picture book, One Million Men and Me (Just Us Books, 2007). She has two forthcoming picture books with Penguin/G.P. Putnam's Sons. Ellen's Broom, illustrated by Daniel Minter, will de...more
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