DIAMOND WILLOW

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Frost, Helen. 2008. DIAMOND WILLOW. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux. ISBN 0374317763.

PLOT SUMMARY

Willow is part Athabascan and lives in a small interior Alaskan town.  The main mode of transportation is by snow machine or dog sled.  Willow convinces her parents that she is responsible enough to take a sled to her grandparents alone.  On the way back a mistake on her part leads to a terrible accident and her lead dog, Roxy, is badly injured.  Willow is devastated to hear the veterinarian has said Roxy is blind and her parents have made the decision to euthanize her.  In an attempt to save Roxy, Willow and her best friend leave for her grandparents house, but are stuck in a terrible snow storm.  Willow’s ancestors, who are now animals, protect her along the way.  After the girls are safely home, Willow finds out the tragedy her family endured and her relationship with Roxy only grows stronger.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

The concept of this lyrical verse novel is a beautiful one.  The diamond willow is a branch that forms small reddish-brown diamonds when a branch is lost.  The branch must be sanded and polished to reveal the beauty beneath.  This imagery is parallel to the transformation Willow goes through as she learns of her family’s tragic past, and realizes that she is much stronger and more loved that she ever imagined.  The novel is written in diamond shaped poems of varying sizes, and embedded within each poem is a hidden message in bold print that conveys the true meaning of the poem.  For instance, when Willow describes why she loves dogs and their loyalty the hidden message is “people scare me”.  Many of the hidden messages reveal Willow’s insecurities that she hasn’t faced.  The novel is a very simple read with a compelling theme that is well suited for young adults.

REVIEW EXERPTS

Voice of Youth Advocates (October 01, 2008)- “Under its bark, the diamond willow is beautiful, with reddish-brown diamond shapes on a cream-colored shank. Likewise this lyrical gem of a story reveals the inner beauty of a seemingly ordinary Athabascan girl.”

School Library Journal (June 01, 2008)-  “Frost casts a subtle spell through innovative storytelling. Her poems offer pensive imagery and glimpses of character, and strong emotion. This complex and elegant novel will resonate with readers who savor powerful drama and multifaceted characters.”

 CONNECTIONS

• Have students write a diamond shaped poem with a hidden message inside.
• Tie in the topic of dog sledding by tracking the Iditarod on the official website http://www.iditarod.com/