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/

MATHEMATICKLES!

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Franco, Betsy. 2003. Mathematickles!. Ill. by Steven Salerno. New York: Alladin Paperbacks. ISBN 0756967090.

PLOT SUMMARY

Mathematickles! is an individual poet compilation of mathematical brain teaser poems centered around the theme of the seasons.  A girl and her cat are characters present in the illustrations throughout the book though they are not mentioned in the poetry. The poetry, however, focuses on the changing of the seasons.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

This unconventional poetry book does not feature poems with rhythm, rhyme, or the elements of poetry to which most are accustom. However, these math puzzlers are a wonderful combination of poetic language and mathematical equations. Reluctant math students will not be intimidated by these simple puzzles presented with colorful, whimsical illustrations.  The central topic is the changing of the seasons, and this topic is presented through the poems, such as "feet-shoes+grass=barefoot", as well as through the vibrant watercolor illustrations.  As students read these creative puzzles, they will be exposed to language and math concepts presented in an artistic approach.

REVIEW EXERPTS

School Library Journal (October 01, 2004)- “These cleverly conceived and lively little poems teasingly blend words with mathematical concepts and symbols. Imaginative double-page, watercolor-and-gouache illustrations rev up the fun, season by season.”

Publishers Weekly (June 16, 2003)- “Franco plus Salerno add up to plenty of fun in this nimble brain teaser.”

 CONNECTIONS

• Have students write their own mathmatickle focusing on a season.  They can publish the poem on a cutout of something that represents the season such as a leaf or pumpkin for fall or a snowflake for winter.
• Use Franco’s teacher’s resource book Math Poetry: Linking Language and Math in a ISBN:  1596470720 to further explore the math and language integration.
  

  Fresh Way

  : Grades 2-5: Teacher Resource
• Use Franco’s book Unfolding Mathematics with Unit Origami to further explore the mathematics and art correlation.

REMEMBER THE BRIDGE: POEMS OF A PEOPLE

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Weatherford, Carole Boston. 2002. REMEMBER THE BRIDGE: POEMS OF A PEOPLE. New York: Philomel books. ISBN 0399237267.

PLOT SUMMARY

The book covers four hundred years of African American history though poems by Weatherford and etchings and photographs that she collected over time.  The poems focus on unknown heroes such as slaves, sharecroppers and cowboys as well as famous heroes like Martin Luther King, Jr., Rosa Parks, and Harriet Tubman.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Weatherford’s powerful words create imagery of persecution and perseverance.  It begins with the the capture of slaves in Africa, and ends with the powerful poem, The Bridge, encouraging all to know the past and affect the future.  The poems are accompanied by photographs and etching that Weatherford collected which enhance the power of her words.  Some poems like On the Auction Block remind the reader of a tragic past and evoke strong emotions when a baby is torn from his mother’s arms as she is sold away and “…tears bead up on her cheeks. Warm milk streams down her bare chest.”  This poem is accompanied by an etching were slaves are weeping next to the auction block as their families are torn away, as the plantation owners socialize and bid on their family members. 

Other poems celebrate African American heroes such as The Mother of the Movement (For Rosa Parks) which ends with “In her soil of her heart, the movement takes root, seeds of change blossom, then bear fruit.”  These rhythm of the poems creates a serious tone for these informative poems.  The photographs and etchings give students an authentic view into the past. The poems tell a story of a people that should be available in the library for all kids to discover

REVIEW EXERPTS

Booklist (February 15, 2002)- “The stories of basket weavers, family farmers, cowboys, Civil War soldiers, quilt makers, and cooks are celebrated along with those of more famous figures in African American history in this powerful collection of poems that implores readers to learn and remember the past.”

School Library Journal (January 01, 2002)- “…this celebratory, visually striking book will be appreciated in most collections.”

Kirkus Reviews (December 01, 2001)- “This is a collection for every library, offering all readers a bridge toward understanding and acceptance.”

CONNECTIONS

• Read aloud during Black History Month as students learn about famous African American heroes.

• Pair with books about heroes mentioned such as Caldecott Honor Book, Rosa by Nikki Giovanni, or the Caldecott Honor and Coretta Scott King Award winner Martin's Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by Doreen Rappaport.

• Have older children create their own photo essay with accompanying poems.