Diamond Willow

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Frost, Helen. 2008. DIAMOND WILLOW. New York: Frances Foster Books Farrar, Straus, and Giroux. ISBN 978-0-374-31776-8

PLOT/SUMMARY
This edge of your seat story is set in the interior of Alaska. Diamond Willow is about a young girl named Willow who lives in a small village in Alaska with her mom, dad, sister, best friend Kaylie, and her sled dogs. After an unfortunate accident leaving her favorite dog Roxy blind, Willow decides to flee to her grandparents to save Roxy's life. Willow and Kaylie find themselves lost on their journey in the middle of a snow storm. After many animals intervene to save their lives, Willow makes it to her grandparents. When Willow's parents finally find out about what the girls have gone through to save Roxy and their survival during the snow storm, they decide to bring Roxy back home. Willow finds out about that she had a twin sister who died when they were just a few days old. She also finds out that her sister, Diamond, is now her dog Roxy. Willow and Roxy grow even closer, and develop a special bond that allows them to communicate. "I feel like I am flying with them, like my twin sister Diamond is alive inside me saying, Willow, this is happiness."

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Helen Frost successfully manages to create a verse novel that is both captivating and touching. The novel begins with an author's note explaining that the majority of the story is written in diamond-shaped poems with hidden messages printed in darker ink inside each one. She told of how the willow tree creates beautiful diamond shapes out of the places where a branch had been injured and fell away. The main theme of this story shows how the unsuspecting situations in our lives can make us beautiful regardless.

The author uses a very simple conversational language when telling this story. The majority of the story is told from Willow's point of view using words and phrases that are appropriate for a young girl. However, each line holds importance written in bold darker text that gives the reader empathy for the main character.

Parts of the story are told by Willow's ancestors, who are now reincarnated into the animals that surround and watch over her. The author uses language that personifies each ancestor through the animal that they have become. The ancestors' parts are not written in the same diamond-shaped form as Willow's story. Their parts are written is regular verse as to show that they are on the outside of her life unable to communicate with her.

This story would be appropriate upper elementary students but needs much building of background knowledge so that students will have an understanding of the text. This text would be an excellent selection to introduce poetry to students who may feel that they do not like poetry. 

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

LIBRARY SCHOOL JOURNAL - "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."

BOOKLIST - "The casual diamond shape of the poems reflects how precious jewels of wisdom can grow around painful scars."

CONNECTIONS
*This book is a good model of how poems can be written to form pictures. Older students can create their own poem pictures with hidden messages.

*After reading this book, you can teach your students about dog sledding and tie-in with the Iditarod.

*This can be used in a unit with other stories about the bond and love between owners and their animals.


Other Engaging Books
Law, Ingrid. SAVVY. ISBN 0803733062
Gaiman, Neil. THE GRAVEYARD BOOK. ISBN 0060530928

London, Jack. WHITE FANG. ISBN 1580496741