A Review of Diamond Willow

By Helen Frost

* Note: This blog fulfills a course requirement at TWU.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Frost, Helen. Diamond Willow. Canada: Douglas & McIntyre Ltd. 2008. ISBN: 0374317768

PLOT SUMMARY

Diamond Willow is a young Alaskan girl of Athabascan (on her mother’s side) and European (her father) descent. Diamond does not have many friends and is most comfortable and fulfilled when she is sledding using her father’s dogs or going to her grandparent’s house to visit. Printz Honor Book author Helen Frost crafts a story using a free-verse poetry style printed in the shape of diamonds that tells the tale of this 12 year-old girl that wants to be accepted by others and also wants her parents to notice that she is growing up. She takes out sledding on her own and suffers a terrible crash that results in blinding her dad’s favorite dog, Roxy. After her mishap, Diamond wants to ensure that the dog lives out her life cared for and not euthanized.  Frost speaks to readers through Diamond’s voice and uses the diamond-shaped prose that was inspired by marks Frost saw on a diamond willow stick, where no two diamond of poetry are shaped the same. Each shape provides a hidden message marked by bold letters in each poem. For example, in one poem, the hidden message is “Maybe, being happy, makes you happy.” The emotional poetry ends with the words “Me, these dogs, this snow, the spruce hen flying just ahead of us. This is happiness. I see.” This is a beautifully written book.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Award-winning children’s author and poet, Helen Frost weaves another enthralling tale of a young 12 year-old Alaskan girl coming of age. Her poetry is free-verse and is presented to the reader in different diamond shaped verse inspired from marks Frost saw on a diamond willow stick. The story is immaculately weaved together to reveal an emotional tale of a young girl filled with passion. This story teaches compassion, particularly for animals. The poetry is not rhythmic, but it does evoke emotion and imagery. There are no illustrations, but it is not necessary because of the author’s use of language to evoke imagery. Each poem has bold letters that have a message for the reader. Diamond is growing up. She likes a boy. Her friends come to her aid as she endures the feel of failure in the accident that left her dad’s favorite dog, Roxy. This book of poetry is inspiring and compassionate. Rated appropriate for 5^th – 8^th grade readers.

REVIEW EXCERPTS

 2009 Bank Street - Best Children's Book of the Year.

Willow relates her story in one-page poems, each of which contains a hidden message printed in darker type. At key intervals, the narrative is continued in the voices of her ancestors, who take the form of animal spirits—Red Fox, Spruce Hen, Mouse, Chickadee, Lynx—and her sled dogs. School Library Journal – “Frost casts a subtle spell through innovative storytelling. Her poems offer pensive imagery and glimpses of character, and strong emotion.” 

Booklist – “Set in a remote part of Alaska, this story in easy-to-read verse blends exciting survival adventure with a contemporary girl’s discovery of family roots and secrets. Frost, who spent years teaching in Alaska, blends the young teen’s viewpoint with a strong sense of place and culture. The casual diamond shape of the poems reflects how precious jewels of wisdom can grow around painful scars. Willow’s bond with Roxy is the heart of the tale.”

CONNECTIONS

Read other Helen Frost works:

·         Frost, Helen. Hidden. ISBN: 0374382212 

·         Frost, Helen. Salt: A Story of Friendship in a Time of War. ISBN: 0374363870

·         Frost, Helen. Crossing Stones. ISBN: 0374316538

And others

Ø  The book is wonderful for teaching compassion and a love for animals.