Farrar Straus and Giroux
(Frances Foster Books)
April 2008
Ages 9-12
I was drawn to Diamond Willow because of its creative structure. The novel is told in a series of concrete poems shaped like diamonds. Diamond Willow is a type of wood that grows in the northern woods, and is polished to be used for walking sticks and lamps and the like. The distinctly shaped scars create something striking and singular, much like this story, which is an ode to Alaska and sled dogs and the diamond willow.
Willow is growing up. She wants to be understood and trusted to do adult things. When her parents allow her to drive the family's prized sled dog, Roxie, to her grandparents' house, disaster strikes.
When she enlists her best friend (who has lately been paying more attention to a certain boy than Willow) in a plan to help the injured Roxie, they fight to survive the elements.
And then there are the animals in the forest, reincarnated ancestors, who watch over and protect Willow. Their contributions, in prose form, are the only departure from the diamond poems.
All this would have been enough for me to put the book down and say, "That was really good." Then Frost puts in such an unexpected plot twist I had to set the book down to thoroughly savor the surprise. Wow. And this book has been out since last April! I think it should have received more attention than it did. I highly recommend this novel--added bonus--you can read it in an evening. A pithy, sparkly read.
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