Diamond Willow - Book Review

This post was written as a Master's course assignment for Texas Woman's University.

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Frost, Helen. 2008. New York, NY: Frances Foster Books: Farrar, Straus and Giroux. ISBN 9780374317768

2. PLOT SUMMARY

This story centers around the main character, Diamond Willow, whose parents named her after the tree of the same name. Willow defines herself as an ordinary 12 year old invisible girl, a middle child in a "middle-size town" in Alaska. Headstrong and defiant, Willow embarks on a mission that endangers herself, her best friend, and her family sledding dogs, all with the intentions of doing the right thing to amend a tragic mistake that she has caused. Will she find her way in the thickening snow storm, or has this one decision caused her entire life to change? Within her name lies the greatest mysterious secret of all.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Helen Frost's masterful work in this verse novel demonstrates depth, beauty in observation, and an astonishing array of emotions. Each page displays a diamond shaped poem, and within each diamond a few words appear in bold font, forming an additional, poignant thought. The diamonds change shape and size, depending on the amount of text on the page. Some appear rounded and soft, like a double-sided teardrop. Others are sharp and pointy, like a warning sign. The bold words highlighted within each diamond add an additional emotional layer, an ongoing internal dialog from Willow as she struggles to prove herself as a young person growing up quickly.

Cameo pages appear in the story, breaking up the diamonds and taking the shape of normal text, but the characters are far from normal. The ancient ancestors of Willow and other characters, now in the shape of animals, watch over all of them as a form of "guardian angels" and offer guidance at times. For instance, John, Willow's great-great grandfather, the "Red Fox," keeps an eye on her as she sets off alone down the dog-sled trail.

Through the cameo pages of the ancient ancestors (Spruce Hen, Lynx, etc.), the author highlights the the theme of "everything in nature is connected." The lynx "left a few tracks for them to find this morning" at the fork in the road, giving the reader pause to think about such coincidences that occur in nature. Frost also uses metaphor to enhance the imagery of her poems: "Silence stalks around us like a cat." 

The story moves quickly and is full of surprises. The diamond text on the page adds an element of beauty to the lovely story.  The imagery of the Diamond Willow tree blended with Willow's history gives depth to the story and a feeling of completion.

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

Review from SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: "This complex and elegant novel will resonate with readers who savor powerful drama and multifaceted characters."

Review from 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."

5. CONNECTIONS

*See other verse novels by Helen Frost, such as CROSSING STONES,  ISBN 9780374316532.

*Readers may also enjoy other books about humans and their relationships with animals and nature, such as WHITE FANG, by Jack London, ISBN 9780439236195.