Diamond Willow by: Helen Frost

1. Bibliographic Data
Frost, Helen. Diamond Willow (Frances Foster Books). New York: Farrar, Straus And Giroux (Byr), 2008.

2. Plot Summary
Diamond Willow is about a girl named Willow who lives in Alaska with her mom, dad, sister, bestfriend Kaylie, and her sled dogs. After an unfortunate accident leaving her favorite dog Roxy blind, Willow decides to flee to her grandparents to save Roxy's life. Willow and Kaylie find themselves lost on their journey in the middle of a snow storm. After many animals intervene to save their lives, Willow makes it to her grandparents. Willow's parents are happy she is safe, and decide to bring Roxy back home because she means so much to them. Willow finds out about her twin that died when she was a few days old, and also finds out that her lost twin, Diamond, is now present in her dog Roxy. Willow and Roxy grow even closer, and develop a special bond that allows them to communicate. "I feel like I am flying with them, like my twin sister Diamond is alive inside me saying, Willow, this is happiness.

3. Critical Analysis
Diamond Willow is a touching story of a girl, her dog, and the discovery of her twin. Diamond Willow is a novel written in verse. Helen Frost, who lived in Alaska for sometime, designed this story around a diamond willow walking stick. Each paragraph is shaped into a diamond, and has little hidden messages in bold. This story sad at times, but turns out to be a happy ending. There are no illustrations in this novel, but Helen Frost's imagery allows the reading visualize the snow covered trails that Willow and Roxy follow. Diamond WIllow is a wonderful book about family and unexpected friendships.

4. Awards and Review Excerpt(s)
*Cybil Award, 2008
*Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award, 2009
*Mitten Award 2008
*Childrens Literature..."This is a strong, independent, and engaging female protagonist who struggles with the common issues around popularity, growing independence from family, and personal responsibility."

5. Connections
*Have the children name one of their favorite pets, and tell a favorite story about them.
*Have the children draw a picture of their favorite pet, and their favorite activity they share with them.
*Ask the children to describe what they would have done, or how they would have felt, if they were lost in the woods without their parents.

"Diamond Willow." Childrens Literature Reviews. ezproxy.twu.edu:2130/cgi-bin/member/search (accessed October 14, 2010).