Diamond Willow

June 1, 2008
Gr 5-8-When a diamond willow's bark is removed, sanded, and polished, it reveals reddish brown diamonds, the dark center of which are the scars of missing branches. Frost has used this image to craft an intricate family story in diamond-shaped verse. In her small Alaskan town, 12-year-old Diamond Willow, named for the tree, prefers to be just "Willow" but muses that if her parents had called her "Diamond," "]would I have been one of those sparkly kinds of girls?" Instead she describes herself as an average, part-Athabascan girl with one good friend, who finds herself more comfortable around her family's sled dogs than with people. Her story takes a heartrending turn on a solo dogsled trip to visit her grandparents, and Willow is soon caught up in an intense adventure that leads to the discovery of a family secret. As she unravels the truth, Willow comes to understand the diamonds and scars that bind her family together. She also gains awareness of her own strength and place in her community. Willow relates her story in one-page poems, each of which contains a hidden message printed in darker type. At key intervals, the narrative is continued in the voices of her ancestors, who take the form of animal spiritsRed Fox, Spruce Hen, Mouse, Chickadee, Lynxand her sled dogs. 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."Marilyn Taniguchi, Beverly Hills Public Library, CA"

Copyright 2008 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

June 1, 2008
Set in a remote part of Alaska, this story in easy-to-read verse blends exciting survival adventure with a contemporary girls discovery of family roots and secrets. Middle-schooler Willows dad is Anglo, and her mother is Athabascan.The girllongs 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. When her beloved dog, Roxy, is blinded in an accident (partly Willows fault), and her parents want to putthe dogdown, Willow tries to take Roxy to Grandma and Grandpa. The two are caught in a raging blizzard, and Willowis saved by the spirits of her ancestors, who live on in the wild animals around her. Frost, whospent years teaching in Alaska, blends the young teens viewpoint with a strong sense of place and culture. The casual diamond shape of thepoems reflects howprecious jewels of wisdom can grow around painful scars. Willows bond with Roxy is the heart of the tale. Give this to fans of dogstories and to readers who liked Gary Paulsens Hatchet (1987).(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2008, American Library Association.)