BIBLIOGRAPY
Frost, Helen. 2008. DIAMOND WILLOW. New York. Frances Foster Books. ISBN 0374317763
PLOT SUMMARY
This unique story features a 12 year old girl, Diamond Willow, who is part Athabascan, a native tribe from Alaska which is where the story is located takes place. Diamond is normal young girl who feels frustration toward her parents for not recognizing she is growing up and frustration toward her best friend for spending more time with her instead of with a boy she likes. In an attempt to prove to her family that she has abilities and that she is growing up she takes her Dad's mush team out on her own to her grandparents she runs into trouble and learns more about her herself and discovers something startling about her family.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Helen Frost created an instant classic with story and character of Diamond Willow. Diamond is vulnerable, strong, normal, and special at the same time. This verse novel, with some prose, is written is an incredibly creative way where easch poem is shaped like a diamond that occurs on a branch of a Willow tree, for which Diamond is named after. Even more interesting is the special hidden messages in each diamond. The hidden message is centered in the middle of the diamond, bolded in black, and features the inner thoughts and insecurities of Diamond. Amazing jewels like, “I'm skinny and ordinary like a stick” and “Sometimes I feel like two people” demonstrates Diamond vulnerable character while other treasure like, “so what if We get grounded for This” and “I know I'm a little amazing” show Diamond true confidence and strength in herself. Helen Frost's Diamond Willow mixes drama and mystery to create a story that heralds themes of truth, love, and the importance of family.
REVIEW EXCERPTS
VOICE FOR YOUTH ADVOCATES review: “Each page of her narration is a poem in the shape of a diamond, with a few bolded words in the middle conveying a second message. The ancestors who watch over her in the form of forest animals speak in interspersed pages of prose. An engaging survival tale, it is also the story of a girl who finds within herself the grace to grow up.”
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL review: “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
This story will appeal to young female readers as well as readers that enjoy action and survivalist stories.
Other stories similar to DIAMOND WILLOW
Law, Ingrid. 2008. SAVVY. New York: Penguin Group. ISBN 0-8037-3306-2
Frost, Helen. 2003. KEESHA'S HOUSE. New York: Farrar, Straus,& Giroux. ISBN 0374340641
Frost, Helen. 2008. DIAMOND WILLOW. New York. Frances Foster Books. ISBN 0374317763
PLOT SUMMARY
This unique story features a 12 year old girl, Diamond Willow, who is part Athabascan, a native tribe from Alaska which is where the story is located takes place. Diamond is normal young girl who feels frustration toward her parents for not recognizing she is growing up and frustration toward her best friend for spending more time with her instead of with a boy she likes. In an attempt to prove to her family that she has abilities and that she is growing up she takes her Dad's mush team out on her own to her grandparents she runs into trouble and learns more about her herself and discovers something startling about her family.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Helen Frost created an instant classic with story and character of Diamond Willow. Diamond is vulnerable, strong, normal, and special at the same time. This verse novel, with some prose, is written is an incredibly creative way where easch poem is shaped like a diamond that occurs on a branch of a Willow tree, for which Diamond is named after. Even more interesting is the special hidden messages in each diamond. The hidden message is centered in the middle of the diamond, bolded in black, and features the inner thoughts and insecurities of Diamond. Amazing jewels like, “I'm skinny and ordinary like a stick” and “Sometimes I feel like two people” demonstrates Diamond vulnerable character while other treasure like, “so what if We get grounded for This” and “I know I'm a little amazing” show Diamond true confidence and strength in herself. Helen Frost's Diamond Willow mixes drama and mystery to create a story that heralds themes of truth, love, and the importance of family.
REVIEW EXCERPTS
VOICE FOR YOUTH ADVOCATES review: “Each page of her narration is a poem in the shape of a diamond, with a few bolded words in the middle conveying a second message. The ancestors who watch over her in the form of forest animals speak in interspersed pages of prose. An engaging survival tale, it is also the story of a girl who finds within herself the grace to grow up.”
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL review: “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
This story will appeal to young female readers as well as readers that enjoy action and survivalist stories.
Other stories similar to DIAMOND WILLOW
Law, Ingrid. 2008. SAVVY. New York: Penguin Group. ISBN 0-8037-3306-2
Frost, Helen. 2003. KEESHA'S HOUSE. New York: Farrar, Straus,& Giroux. ISBN 0374340641
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