Book Review – DIAMOND WILLOW
1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Frost, Helen. 2008. DIAMOND WILLOW. New York, NY: Frances Foster Books. ISBN 978-0312603830
2. PLOT SUMMARY
Diamond Willow is a tween girl growing up in the fictional rural town of Old Fork, Alaska. She is an introverted girl, preferring the company of dogs over “sneak-up-on-you boys”. The one friend she does have (Kaylie) is starting to show more interest in boys, driving her to spend more time with her dog, Roxy. Willow is desperate to show her parents that she is growing up and decides to take the sled home by herself on a visit to her grandparent’s house. Unfortunately, she has an accident due to going too fast and Roxy is badly injured. After making it home, mom helps Willow while dad tries to see what can be done for the poor dog. The girl is shocked to discover that Roxy may be put to sleep. Willow decides to take Roxy back to her grandparent’s house to recover. She is sure they can help! On the way, Willow, her friend Kaylie, and the dogs get lost without the help of her lead dog. Willow’s ancestors (in the form of animals) watch over her and help her reach their destination. Mom and Dad come to the grandparent’s house and everyone shares what they love about Roxy. Grandpa surprises everyone when he mentions “the other baby”! Diamond, Willow’s twin sister, tragically died only a few days after she was born due to a birth defect. Her spirit lives on in the dog, Roxy. Everyone decides to cancel the veterinarian’s appointment and keep Roxy, who eventually pulls a sled again (“seeing isn’t as important as you think”). By the story’s end, Willow finds happiness running with a sled and six dogs. Through interesting character development, she has matured during the course of the book.
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
This is a smart, touching story about growing up that can warm the coldest of hearts! It is presented as a novel in verse, with each terse line featuring carefully chosen words telling the tale. One interesting idea is how Willow’s thoughts are presented in the shape of a diamond, while her ancestor’s thoughts and views are shared in traditional text. The words in all of the selections are minimal and chosen very carefully. Another unique concept is how the girl’s pages have hidden message with bolded words such as “this gets scary sometimes and I love it” when she is describing a fast sled run with her beloved dogs. Willow’s transformation from a sad, lonely, insecure girl into something new makes for an interesting journey that many young readers will understand and sympathize with. The author shows great insight into how some girls of this age think and feel. The author’s note at the beginning foreshadows the symbolism of the scarred diamond willow sticks and how it is important to the story. “The scars, and the diamonds that form around them, give diamond willow its beauty”. The painful experiences Willow goes through forge a beautiful young lady with joy in her heart. This book packs a strong emotional punch.
4. REVIEW EXCERPTS
Reviewed in SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “This complex and elegant novel will resonate with readers who savor powerful drama and multifaceted characters.”
Reviewed in 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.”
5. CONNECTIONS
* More novels in verse by Helen Frost:
Frost, Helen. HIDDEN. ISBN 978-0374382216
Frost, Helen. KEESHA’S HOUSE. ISBN 0374400121
* This book would be a great starting point for a conversation with children about feeling “invisible” to the world around you.
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