Genre 3: Poetry - Diamond Willow
Posted by Tamra S , Saturday, July 3, 2010 5:26 PM
Bibliographic Data
Frost, Helen. 2008. Diamond Willow. New York: Frances Foster Books.
Summary and Analysis
Frost's verse novel, Diamond Willow, is written in the main character's voice, which is twelve-year-old Willow. Set in a remote, fictional Alaskan town, Willow decides that she is old enough to take a 3-dog sled team out to her grandparent's house. Her parents reluctantly agree to let her go. Willow arrives safe at her grandparent's house, but on the way home she is reckless and her favorite dog, Roxy, suffers an injury. Guilt-ridden and desperate to save Roxy from euthanasia, Willow attempts to take Roxy to her grandparent's house because "It's the right thing to do," but runs into a little trouble on the way and discovers more than she ever expected about herself and her family.
This heart-tugging tale unfolds in the form of concrete shapes, those of diamonds, which was inspired by the diamond shapes found in the diamond willow's bark. Frost cleverly weaves in Willow's thoughts and feelings with messages revealed in bold-face words within each poem. Interjected throughout the story are ancestors of story characters, but they are in the form of animals observing and providing commentary on the circumstances, as well as providing a little assistance. The bond between Willow and Roxy is understood as Willow learns about her family's past.
The reader is drawn in quickly by Frost's smooth-reading sentences and Willow's perspective. Even in the form of a verse novel, character development and story elements are not lacking. The fast pace of the events and the link with Willow that the reader feels, make this novel a quick and satisfying read for upper elementary and middle school audiences.
Awards and Reviews
*School Library 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. (Marilyn Taniguchi, Beverly Hills Public Library, CA)
*Booklist: 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. Give this to fans of dog stories and to readers who liked Gary Paulsen’s Hatchet (1987). Grades 6-9. --Hazel Rochman
Reviews courtesy of: Amazon.com. Editorial Reviews. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/product-description/0374317763/ref=dp_proddesc_0?ie=UTF8&n=283155&s=books
Connections
*Discuss the symbolism of Willow's name and how she is like the diamond willow bark.
*Reread only the bold-face words from each page. Have a conversation about what these reveal about Willow.
*Map out the story elements and how Willow changes as a character throughout the novel.
*Research the willow bark: where does it grow, what family of trees is it in, what is it used for, and student generated questions.
*Other possible research topics: Junior Iditarod, dog sledding, survival in snowstorms, Alaska, Athabascan people of Alaska (which is Willow's mother's side of the family)
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