POETRY #3

Book Review For:

 

 

Frost, Helen. 2008. DIAMOND WILLOW. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux. ISBN 9780374317768

            DIAMOND WILLOW is a verse novel about a lonely twelve-year-old Alaskan girl named Willow, who struggles to be more independent and prove her worth. She makes plenty of mistakes and learns more about herself while trying to save the life of her dog, Roxy. She inadvertently discovers a family secret and contributes toward the healing and renewed closeness of her family.

            On each page written from Willow’s point of view, the verse poetry is written in the shape of a diamond, with key words typed in bold near the center of the diamond to reveal a shortened synopsis of the entry or a clue as to what Willow is secretly thinking. The diamond shape is connected to how she got her name and the family “secret”. (I don’t want to give it all away!) Other chapters tie in more closely to her heritage and are written in prose from the viewpoints of her (and other characters’) deceased ancestors who currently reside in the form of an animal that observes or partakes of Willow’s adventures.

            Symbolism is spread throughout the story, like how it was a specific spruce tree that she camped under and provided her shelter and in sentences such as on page 65:

“All my doubts come circling in as soon as I’m alone. It’s like I’m a mouse and they’re hawks that have been watching, out of sight, and now they see their chance to swoop down on me.”

            The chosen language is highly poetic and vivid. “The THWACK of Grandpa’s ax”, “Grandma listens with her hands and ears and eyes”, and “clear pure brown, shining like the sun itself” are a few examples. Thus, it is a delightful read, almost like an intriguing puzzle.

 

            DIAMOND WILLOW has won numerous awards (Honors and Awards for DIAMOND WILLOW):

·         Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award in 2009

·         Mitten Award--Michigan Library Association in 2008

·         The Lion and the Unicorn Award for Excellence in North American Poetry - A 2009 Honor Book

·         Winner of Best Books of Indiana, Children and Young Adult Book in 2009

·         CCBC Choices List in 2009

            I would suggest educators follow this story with having children explore different shapes and styles of poetry. Social Studies lessons can tie in to the culture and heritage of Alaska, and artwork of sled teams could be studied.

References

 

"Honors and Awards for Diamond Willow." Helen Frost: Poet, playwright, children's writer., accessed October 9, 2013, http://www.helenfrost.net/item.php?postid=25.