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Bibliography
Frost, Helen. Diamond Willow. New York, NY: Frances Foster Books. ISBN 9780374317768
Plot summary
After an accident involving her beloved sled dog, 12-year old Willow discovers truths about her family, herself, and her Alaskan community.
Critical Analysis
Set in an isolated Alaskan town, Helen Frost’s novel in verse centers on the growing up issues of Diamond Willow, a 12-year old girl of Anglo-Athabascan heritage. Each of the nearly 100 diamond-shaped concrete poems are written in Willow’s compellingly honest first-person narrative voice and contain words at the heart of each poem in bold print that reveal a hidden look at her real hopes and fears. The imagery found in Frost’s descriptions of the rugged Alaskan winter, the warmth of home, and the winsome sled dogs paint vivid mental pictures for the reader.
In an opening author note, Frost explains how when diamond willow bark is removed, one-of-a-kind reddish diamond shapes are revealed that mark the spot of a missing branch or other injury. This diamond willow symbolism appears in layer upon layer as the story unfolds, and Willow begins to discover family secrets and a strengthened sense of identity through the pain. The emotional connection between Willow and her blinded sled dog Roxy are the heart and soul of this feel-good story of powerful drama, fearsome adventure, and tender devotion. Older children and young adults will readily identify with Willow’s longings for friendship and her struggle to be seen as mature by her parents.
Reviews and Honors
· Kirkus excerpt: “Frost presents her story in a series of poems in Willow's voice, using a form inspired by the marks on a diamond willow stick; roughly diamond-shaped and no two exactly alike, each contains a ‘hidden message’….”
· School Library Journal excerpt: “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 06/15/08
· Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books starred 06/01/08
· Horn Book 07/01/08
· Voice of Youth Advocates (V.O.Y.A.) 10/01/08
· Wilson's Junior High School 01/09/10
Connections
· Share other dog stories. Younger readers can draw pictures of pets or favorite animals while older readers can write a responsive poem about a pet or favorite animal. Encourage older readers to discuss why people sometimes feel closer to animals than people.
Include the titles:
The Good Dog (Avi) ISBN
Cracker!: The Best Dog in Vietnam (Kadohata) ISBN 1-41690-638-X
My Life in Dog Years (Paulsen) ISBN 9780385325707
Togo! And Akiak: A Tale from the Iditarod (Blake) ISBN 9780399233814 and 9780399227981
Because of Winn-Dixie (DiCamillo) ISBN 9780763607760
· After reading Diamond Willow, read one of the following concrete poetry books and allow students to create their own concrete poems. Include the titles:
Meow Ruff: A Story In Concrete Poetry (Sidman) ISBN 9780618448944
A Poke in the I: A Collection of Concrete Poems (Janeczko) ISBN 9780763606619
Technically, It’s not My Fault: Concrete Poems (Grandits) ISBN 9780618428335
· Create a webquest on Alaskan sled dogs; include biographical information on Helen Frost.
