Book Review by Allie Davis
MLIS 5603 Literature for Children and Young Adults
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Frost, Helen. 2008. Diamond Willow. New York: Frances Foster Books, 2008. ISBN 0374317763
POEM CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Diamond Willow is a verse novel told mainly through the first-person perspective of Willow, an Athabascan teenager from Old Fork, Alaska. As this is a verse novel told mostly in shape poems, there is no rhythm, and very little rhyme is present. There are two main types of character dialogue. Willow's words are told in varying types of diamond-shaped concrete poems . Through these shape poems, we learn her innermost feelings and in an almost redaction-poetry style, the reader learns her most personal thoughts as a hidden meaning. The other characters also speak through first-person dialogue, but their words are written in traditional narrative paragraphs.
Since the novel is in verse-style, few instances of sound devices occur. In the places that do happen to exist, it seems more as language that would occur naturally through regular conversation. A great example of this natural language is found on page 50 when there is a stream-of-conscience conversation in which Willow's thoughts run rampant. Repetitive alliteration happens within her thoughts, "We got a fire going; we melted snow./ We boiled water, and checked Roxy's eyes./ We changed her bandage. We kept her warm./ We cooked a pot of salmon stew, gave plenty/ to the dogs. Now we can eat some stew/ ourselves." There are also a few examples where onomatopoeia add to the dialogue.
Most of Willow's story is straightforward, literal language. However, depending on the interpretation of the reader, the first-person narrative of the other characters can be considered either personification or reincarnation. The animals who are guarding Willow are given human characteristics. They can talk, think, and reason. However, these could also be interpreted literally as Willow's ancestors who are reincarnated to stay with her in animal form.
Diamond Willow is quite detailed and imagery is created the abundance of details the writer provides as the story unfolds. Through the imagery and details in the story, Willow becomes a character all readers can relate to: the teenage upset with her parents and wants more freedom, who is scared but refused to admit it and then feels extreme guilt when her actions lead to some adverse consequences. The emotions that are stimulated while reading the novel are tied directly to the universal theme of human compassion and love that animals bring into our lives. This theme is beautifully displayed in both the differing diamond shapes and the inner feelings Frost masterfully weaves into them.
Overall, the story works together to create a sound example of verse novel poetry, and the inclusion of an introduction by the author at the beginning helps pave the way to a deeper understanding of story elements. Astute readers should pick up on the hidden messages and the differing perspectives easily, but younger readers will appreciate the added help getting started.
AWARDS
· · Bank Street - Best Children's Book of the Year - 2009
· Illinois Rebecca Caudill YR Choice Award ML
· Texas Lone Star Reading List - 2009-10
· GA Picture Storybook Award ML
· Lion and the Unicorn Award for Excellence in North American Poetry Honor Book
· Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award,
· Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year,
· North Carolina Children's Book Award Master List,
· Iowa Children's Choice Award Master List
· An Indie Next Kids' List Great Read
· Vermont Dorothy Canfield Fisher Award Master List,
· Michigan Mitten Award
· Georgia Children's Book Award Master List (University of GA)
· CCBC Choice (Univ. of WI)
· Best Books of Indiana: Children/Young Adult Category
· Louisiana YR Choice Book Award Master List
· Hawaii Nene Book Award Master List
· Capitol Choices Noteworthy Titles for Children and Teens
http://us.macmillan.com/diamondwillow/helenfrost/9780312603830/
REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
· Horn Book Guide, "The first-person, present-tense narrative is typeset in diamond shapes; bold-faced words at the heart of each diamond hold an additional nugget of meaning."© 2010.· School Library Journal, “In the print version, readers immediately recognize Willow's narration because of the diamond-shaped free verse poems. Within each poem, Frost has cleverly hidden a second poem, with words in boldface type, that underscores the salient point of Willow's thoughts.." © 2010
· Voice of Youth Advocates "...Likewise this lyrical gem of a story reveals the inner beauty of a seemingly ordinary Athabascan girl. 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.-Marla K. Unruh. Willow, a part Athabascan Indian who lives in Alaska, is a typical girl. When she conscripts her best friend, Kaylie, into a wild adventure to save her favorite dog, the story transforms into a thrilling outdoor escapade that will entrance the reader. This delightful novel is a must-read." - Colby Smith, Teen Reviewer ©
· 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. Middle-schooler Willow's dad is Anglo, and her mother is Athabascan. The girl longs to spend more time with her traditional Indian grandparents even though she knows she will miss computers and other things that are a part of her life..." © 2008.
CONNECTIONS
Use as an introduction to a dogs, Iditarod Race, Alaska, Native Americans, popularity, teen years, family life, friendship.
- Introduce poetic forms, including concrete poetry.
- Students can write their own diamond shaped poems with hidden messages.
- Have a wood lathe demonstration or wood-working demonstration.
- Research the Iditarod Race.
Gather similar Alaskan books to read such as:
· Levinson, Nancy Smiler. If You Lived in Alaskan Territory. ISBN 0590744496· Brown, Tricia. Iditarod. ISBN 1439642370
· Coghill, John B. Growing up in Alaska. ISBN 0982301715
Gather more Helen Frost titles to read such as:
Link to author, Helen Frost: http://helenfrost.net/
· Applesauce Weather. ISBN 9780763675769
· Among a Thousand Fireflies. ISBN 9780763676421· Applesauce Weather. ISBN 9780763675769
· Hidden. ASIN: B01K95NMTG
· When My Sister Started Kissing (March, 2017). ISBN 0374303037
Gather other Texas Lone Star Award titles to read such as:
· Carter, Aimee. Simon Thorn and the Wolf's Den. ISBN 1619637065
· Davies, Linda. Longbow Girl. ISBN 0545853451
· Henry, April. The Girl I Used to Be. ISBN 1627793321
· Reynolds, Jason. Ghost. ISBN 1481450158
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