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Kelly Starling Lyons
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Ellen's Broom (Coretta Scott King Honor - Illustrator Honor Title) Hardcover – Picture Book, January 5, 2012

by Kelly Starling Lyons (Author), Daniel Minter (Illustrator)
4.9 4.9 out of 5 stars 20 ratings
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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 wife.

When Ellen and her family make the long trip to the courthouse dressed in their best, she brings the broom her parents had jumped so many years before. Even though freedom has come, Ellen knows the old traditions are important too. After Mama and Papa's names are recorded in the register, Ellen nearly bursts with pride as her parents jump the broom once again.

Ellen is a wonderfully endearing character whose love for her family is brought to life in Daniel Minter's rich and eye-catching block print illustrations.
Previous page
  1. Reading age
    5 - 8 years
  2. Print length
    32 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Grade level
    Kindergarten - 3
  5. Lexile measure
    AD610L
  6. Dimensions
    8.44 x 0.33 x 10.81 inches
  7. Publisher
    G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers
  8. Publication date
    January 5, 2012
  9. ISBN-10
    0399250034
  10. ISBN-13
    978-0399250033
  11. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Kelly Starling Lyons (www.kellystarlinglyons.com) lives in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Daniel Minter (www.danielminter.com) lives in Portland, Maine.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers; Illustrated edition (January 5, 2012)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 32 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0399250034
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0399250033
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 5 - 8 years
  • Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ AD610L
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ Kindergarten - 3
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 13.6 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8.44 x 0.33 x 10.81 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.9 4.9 out of 5 stars 20 ratings

About the author

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Kelly Starling Lyons

Kelly Starling Lyons

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Kelly Starling Lyons began her journey to become a children's book author in her hometown of Pittsburgh. She learned the art of storytelling from her mom who took her to productions at a children's theater, wrote plays and made up bedtime tales. Her grandparents, who showed their imagination through cooking and gardening, taught her to honor the magic of history and home. Surrounded by creativity, Lyons began to write.

She curled up near the radiator behind her bedroom door and allowed her pen to take her to other worlds. A canopy of trees transformed into a make-believe fortress, backyards hid treasure and tunnels to faraway lands, bridges that crossed the Monongahela, Allegheny and Ohio rivers spanned distance and time.

Now a children's book author and teaching artist, her mission is to center Black heroes, celebrate family, friendship and heritage and show all kids the storyteller they hold inside. Many of her books have won accolades including a Caldecott Honor for Going Down Home with Daddy, illustrated by Daniel Minter; Christopher Award for Tiara's Hat Parade, illustrated by Nicole Tadgell; a Geisel Honor for Ty's Travels: Zip, Zoom, illustrated by Nina Mata and Junior Library Guild selection for Dream Builder: The Story of Architect Philip Freelon, illustrated by Laura Freeman. Her latest picture book, My Hands Tell a Story, illustrated by Tonya Engel, earned two starred reviews.

Kelly also writes for chapter book readers. Her Jada Jones series has earned praise for celebrating an African-American girl who loves science, friends and family. The latest is Jada Jones: Nature Lover. In 2022, Kelly's Miles Lewis spin-off series debuted. The first book, Miles Lewis: King of the Ice, is a Junior Library Guild selection. Stay tuned for more easy readers, picture books and chapter books.

Find out more about Kelly at www.kellystarlinglyons.com. Thanks for your support.

Customer reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars
4.9 out of 5
20 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

nancy japlon
5.0 out of 5 stars Good service!
Reviewed in the United States on August 23, 2023
Verified Purchase
Great story, beautiful drawings!
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Mac_Cat
5.0 out of 5 stars Good early childhood reading
Reviewed in the United States on November 21, 2014
Verified Purchase
Good early childhood reading - rare multi-cultural themes
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heather dawson
5.0 out of 5 stars 2013 Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor
Reviewed in the United States on March 17, 2014
This story takes place in the reconstruction period after slavery had been abolished. Before this time Ellen’s parents were not allowed to marry, and so they like many others participated in ceremony where they jumped over the broom together into marriage. I really enjoyed this book and it would be a perfect pairing for teaching kids about this time period in American history. Even though the illustrations for this book were honored, I think the story itself is wonderful too. I think an appropriate age range for this book would be 5-7 years old.
2 people found this helpful
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Edmond H
5.0 out of 5 stars Jumping the Broom Still Going Strong
Reviewed in the United States on March 18, 2012
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. I highly  Ellen's Broom recommend it!
2 people found this helpful
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Madigan McGillicuddy
5.0 out of 5 stars Love this heartwarming story
Reviewed in the United States on May 15, 2012
I was really charmed by this antebellum story telling about the complex history of "jumping the broom" at African-American weddings. Ellen's parents are eager to put the past behind them when they are finally able to legally wed at a courthouse after slavery has ended. Ellen reclaims and transforms the tradition into something positive, by decorating the family broom with flowers. The book is illustrated with beautiful full-color linoleum woodcuts.
3 people found this helpful
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Donna Earnhardt
5.0 out of 5 stars My 10yo daughter LOVES this...
Reviewed in the United States on February 25, 2013
My daughter has read the story many, many times... and shared it with others. She takes it to poetry class, church and to family's houses so they can see her new book. The illustrations beautifully marry the text and characters to one another. Freedom begets freedom... and Ellen's Broom is a wonderful illustration of that!
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lmcq
5.0 out of 5 stars A unique and moving story!
Reviewed in the United States on March 19, 2012
A unique and moving story of a young African-American girl learning of her family's heritage. A wonderful story to share with all children and adults.
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Rosa Cline
3.0 out of 5 stars The story was a nice one but I think it left to much opened ...
Reviewed in the United States on September 18, 2014
This was an interesting book and it opened questions for myself, little long for a child. In the back of the book they do try and explain where the author got her idea of the story. The story was a nice one but I think it left to much opened for questions and 'why'... The author did a good job at introducing the 'broom' for a marriage but why or how did that get started? Why did the bride and groom jump over the broom what did that represent? So although I enjoyed this book am glad my granddaughter wasn't old enough to ask questions because she would have been asking me ones I wouldn't have had the answers for and not sure if I 'googled' it had gotten answers to it either
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