Kindergarten - 3
2013 Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor.
Junior Library Guild Selection.
2013 Bank Street Best Children's Books of the Year.
2013 Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People.

A story about what it meant to formerly enslaved Americans to be able to form legally protected marriages, told at an age-appropriate level.

The broom resting above the hearth takes on special meaning to Ellen, when it is announced that former slaves can now have unions legally recognized. A Reconstruction tale. Author’s Note.

During slavery, Ellen's parents could only marry using the very broom, that was now mounted on their wall. They jumped over it to have a new life together. Ellen always knew that the broom resting above the hearth was special. Ellen doesn't know how special until it's announced that all former slaves living as husband and wife can now legally have their unions recognized. ( )

When I picked out the book, I did not realize it would be about the marriage broom. I thought this was a heartwarming story and very thoughtful. It gave me a sense that there were happy times when slavery finally ended and new struggles were about to still happen. Ellen was gracious and kind to all the parts of the story, but especially to the part of upholding a family tradition or heirloom even though times had changed. ( )