ELLIE AND THE MARRIAGE LIST

A girl with Down syndrome fears that her older brother is getting married.

Ten-year-old Ellie Anderson loves hanging with her brother, 15-year-old Ben. But lately, he’s been too busy with work and soccer to pay her much attention. He becomes even more preoccupied when he starts hanging out with new neighbor Sara and inviting her to outings that should be special just for Ben and Ellie, like their nature hike and the upcoming Ability Center dance. Worse, Ellie’s best friend, Ling, informs her that Ben and Sara are getting married: Ling’s marriage list says so. The list names six steps toward marriage, including hand-holding and kissing—and Ben and Sara are working their way through those steps. Ellie and Ling hatch a scheme to stop Ben from reaching step six: marrying Sara and moving to Hawaii. But the plan only causes hurt feelings, just when Ellie and Ben need to band together to save Ellie’s beloved backyard willow from being cut down by their parents so their magician dad will have room to build a workshop. Artistic, mischievous, and empathetic, Ellie is delightfully nuanced; Rogers’ illustrations readily convey her many emotions. Seabolt matter-of-factly portrays Ellie’s challenges, such as speech difficulties and “spaghetti noodle” muscles, and readers will root for her as she discovers her strengths and faces her fears. Ellie’s supportive family is heartening. Most characters read white; Ling is Chinese American.

A warm tale of family and friendship.