. . "African Americans Juvenile fiction." . . "JUVENILE FICTION / Historical / United States / Civil War Period (1850-1877)." . . "JUVENILE FICTION / Historical / United States / 19th Century." . . "African American families Juvenile fiction." . . "JUVENILE FICTION / People & Places / United States / African American." . . . . . . . . . . . "Dust jackets (Bindings)" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . "Ellen's broom"@en . "Ellen's broom" . . . . . . "History" . . . . "\"During Reconstruction, a young girl learns a new meaning for freedom when her parents legally marry for the first time\"--"@en . . "\"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\"--"@en . . . . . "Picture books" . "Picture books for children" . "Fiction"@en . . "Fiction" . . . . . . "Ellen has always known that the broom hanging on her family's cabin wall is a special symbol of her parents' wedding during slave days, so she proudly carries it to the courthouse when the marriage becomes legal." . . "Juvenile works"@en . "Juvenile works" . . . "Slavery Juvenile fiction." . . "Reconstruction (U.S. history, 1865-1877) Juvenile fiction." . . "United States" . . "Brooms and brushes Juvenile fiction." . . "Marriage Juvenile fiction." . . "African Americans Marriage customs and rites Juvenile fiction." . .