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suzannedix's review against another edition
5.0
Absolutely extraordinary. The shape poems add to the uniqueness but it is the plot itself that is so engrossing.
Warning: have a tissue box at the ready! Grades 6 and up with universal appeal.
Roxy and Willow will stay with me for a long long time.
Warning: have a tissue box at the ready! Grades 6 and up with universal appeal.
Roxy and Willow will stay with me for a long long time.
book_nut's review against another edition
5.0
A beautiful (to look at and to read), simple, powerful story of love, nature, and a girl coming into her own. Made me cry (and that's saying a lot!).
jurotondi's review against another edition
4.0
This book was really creative. I love how they used diamond poems to tell the story. I thought that it wouldn't be very easy to understand, since I'm not the best at deciphering poems, but the story behind this book was really good. I enjoyed it and would recommend it to anyone who is a fan of poetry.
sunflowerjess's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
A sweet, poignant story of a young Alaskan girl, her sled dogs, and her family. I thought this book was exceptionally well-written, with a little bit of mystery, plot twists, and lots of heart. I love it too because it reminded me of growing up in Alaska and visiting my grandparents each year. I also appreciate that the author includes some fantastic writing prompts and questions at the end of the book.
tami_provencher's review against another edition
3.0
Diamond Willow tells the story of twelve-year-old Willow who lives in Old Fork (a fictional town), Alaska. She feels as if she doesn't belong at school. She wants to be noticed and have friends but is, at the same time, terrified of being with other people. This fear makes it hard for others to get to know her well enough to develop friendships.
Like so many of us who feel lonely or invisible, Willow loves dogs. She is able to talk to them and not worry about judgement for how she feels or what she says. She also derives strength from the love she feels so clearly from her grandparents. Her parents, older brother and younger sister are also loving, but everybody who has had a special grandparent knows that a grandparent's love is deep and abiding--and easy to both give and receive. Life with our immediate families can be complicated; grandparents provide that steady anchor of love while we navigate the journey of growing up.
Willow convinces her parents to allow her to mush the dogsled to her grandparents' house alone for the first time. On her return trip she has an accident that results in serious, potentially tragic and fatal consequences for her and her lead dog, Roxy.
The author explains to the reader in a brief introductory note that a Diamond Willow is a tree that grows in northern climates. When it's wood is polished it reveals reddish-brown diamond (shapes) with a dark center. The diamond shapes form when a branch is injured or breaks off; the dark center is the scar from the missing branch. This remarkable tree is, of course, a metaphor for the entire story, as Willow begins to see her own scars as well as her own unique beauty and talents.
Ms. Frost tells Willow's story mostly in series of diamond-shaped poems. (There are asides sprinkled throughout told by Willow's ancestors who have returned to life as animals.) The diamond shape on each page further weaves the metaphor of the Diamond Willow throughout the words themselves.
I appreciated Willow's poignant twelve-year-old voice as well as the realistic details of the dog teams and mushing. (Although not an expert, by any means, I know professional mushers and have attended the Bear Grease which is a dogsled race in Northern Minnesota.) Rhythmically, visually, in plot and character this book is extraordinary.
Like so many of us who feel lonely or invisible, Willow loves dogs. She is able to talk to them and not worry about judgement for how she feels or what she says. She also derives strength from the love she feels so clearly from her grandparents. Her parents, older brother and younger sister are also loving, but everybody who has had a special grandparent knows that a grandparent's love is deep and abiding--and easy to both give and receive. Life with our immediate families can be complicated; grandparents provide that steady anchor of love while we navigate the journey of growing up.
Willow convinces her parents to allow her to mush the dogsled to her grandparents' house alone for the first time. On her return trip she has an accident that results in serious, potentially tragic and fatal consequences for her and her lead dog, Roxy.
The author explains to the reader in a brief introductory note that a Diamond Willow is a tree that grows in northern climates. When it's wood is polished it reveals reddish-brown diamond (shapes) with a dark center. The diamond shapes form when a branch is injured or breaks off; the dark center is the scar from the missing branch. This remarkable tree is, of course, a metaphor for the entire story, as Willow begins to see her own scars as well as her own unique beauty and talents.
Ms. Frost tells Willow's story mostly in series of diamond-shaped poems. (There are asides sprinkled throughout told by Willow's ancestors who have returned to life as animals.) The diamond shape on each page further weaves the metaphor of the Diamond Willow throughout the words themselves.
I appreciated Willow's poignant twelve-year-old voice as well as the realistic details of the dog teams and mushing. (Although not an expert, by any means, I know professional mushers and have attended the Bear Grease which is a dogsled race in Northern Minnesota.) Rhythmically, visually, in plot and character this book is extraordinary.
whathappenedtoagoodbook's review against another edition
3.0
This book was a required book for an event and it was okay i loved how Helen Frost wrote but i couldn't understand whether to read just the bold words or the whole stanza.
caryleliza's review against another edition
4.0
What a lovely story. I want to read all of Helen Frost's books now! Hidden was great, too.
libscote's review
4.0
BIS Book Award 2009-2010
I really liked the diamond poem structure in this book, as well as the way certain words were bolding to emphasize how Willow was feeling.
I really liked the diamond poem structure in this book, as well as the way certain words were bolding to emphasize how Willow was feeling.
natalienestor9195's review
4.0
I purchased this book for my 9 year old daughter. She hasn’t read it yet - so I can’t speak to age appropriateness yet.
I listened to it via audiobooks and it’s a compelling, bittersweet story. However, I recommend reading the printed version as the presentation is creative. The narrative is formatted into Diamond shapes. You can’t hear that through Audible.
I listened to it via audiobooks and it’s a compelling, bittersweet story. However, I recommend reading the printed version as the presentation is creative. The narrative is formatted into Diamond shapes. You can’t hear that through Audible.