BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Frost, Helen. 2008. DIAMOND WILLOW. New York: Frances Foster Books. ISBN: 978-0-374-31776-8
REVIEW/CRITICAL ANALYSIS:
Blending a coming of age tale with Native American spirituality and tradition, Frost has created a journey for the reader to Alaska and into the life of a young girl. Diamond Willow is a verse novel without illustrations save the unique design of the paragraphs which reflect the pattern of gems. Frost relies on the power of her words and language patterns (literal and figurative) to pull the reader through the story. In each page, she provides the reader with a special message through bold words. This message delivers a powerful take on the character's true thoughts.
Willow is a young middle school girl in Alaska struggling for a place both at home and at school. She is "In/ the/ middle/ of my family/ in the middle of / a middle-size town/ in the middle of Alaska,/ you will find middle-size,/ middle-kid, me (p. 6)." Named after a unique tree found near her home which, when the bark is smoothed away, displays diamonds inside, Willow is struggling to find her own voice and her own uniqueness. With few friends and feeling stifled at home, Willow pours her love and affection into her family's sled dogs. Her father's favorite dog, Roxy, is Willow's closest companion.
Willow attempts to assert her independence by visiting (after receiving permission) her grandparents alone mushing there with a small team of dogs. Willow finds comfort and is encouraged on her trip: "Then she gives me the mittens she just finished, beaded/ flowers on her home-tanned moose skin, beaver fur/around the cuffs. She could sell them for a lot/ of money, and she's giving them to me/ when it's not even my birthday./ I put them on, put my/ hands on her face./ We both/ smile (p. 23)." After filling up on her grandparents' love and attention, she races home only to suffer an accident which severely injures Roxy.
When her parents are faced with the difficult decision of euthanizing Roxy after she is found to be blind, they do not discuss the situation with Willow out of love believing it will be easier for her to not be involved. Yet, this decision for silence is interpreted by Willow as demonstration of their blame and lack of confidence in her. In order to save Roxy, Willow solicits her only real friend from school, Kaylie, to spirit the dog away and to safety at her grandparents. Without the sure guidance of Roxy in the lead, Willow and Kaylie get lost and find themselves forced to take shelter in a snowstorm. Unbeknownst to the girls (and to Willow on her first journey) animals inhabited by the spirits of past loved ones watch over them and aid in keeping them safe. Ultimately all survive the trip, and the trauma of the events leads to the revealing of a shocking family secret.
Students, particularly those in middle school, will connect to the themes of this book about growing up and attempting to redefine/understand one's place in a family. Readers of all ages will be swept away to the snow covered fields of Alaska and find the observations of the spirit guide animals unique and enjoyable. At times the commentary of the animals is humorous and provide levity to the work; an example is from "Isaac, Willow's great-grandfather (Mouse)" who lives in Willow's home: "No one shrieks, A mouse! A mouse! and jumps up on a chair. (Why do they do that, anyway? They're so big and we're so small.) (p. 37)." Frost's presentation in the novel form will draw in many who may believe they do not enjoy poetry. However, the art of Frost's writing strikes a deep cord in readers as does more traditional forms of great poetry.
Blending the literary formats (novel and prose) creating signature illustrative images (in paragraph forms) along with the infusion of cultural lessons and timeless themes has created a special work by Frost. Deeper themes of family scars and secrets as well as looking inside of people for true beauty are soundly rooted in this work and will provide much material for contemplation for the reader. The diamond willow tree has jewels inside underneath the scars where branches lie; young Diamond Willow is a special girl in a special family when one looks underneath. Diamond Willow is a book to be treasured and shared with young people.
AWARDS/REVIEW EXCERPTS:
School Library Journal: "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)
Booklist: "easy-to-read verse blends exciting survival adventure with a contemporary girl’s discovery of family roots and secrets." (Hazel Rochman)
CONNECTIONS:
*read other books containing the culture of Native Americans like The Give Away: A Christmas Story in The Native American Tradition by Ray Buckley
*have students conduct research about sled dogs and related themes
*use one of McClure's "poetry talk" questions (Vardell, 2008, p. 133) to prompt discussions in older elementary middle school students; "Did the things in the poem ever happen to you? Tell about it?" is an appropriate fit although students may not recognize the connections they may have to the character initially
Vardell, Sylvia M. 2008. Children's Literature in Action: A Librarian's Guide. Westport, CT: Libraries Unlimited.
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