7
a.m.
Twenty
below zero,
ribbons of white
and green and purple
dancing in the blue-black sky.
Publisher: Frances Foster Books/Farrar, Straus and Giroux; 111 pages
a.m.
Twenty
below zero,
ribbons of white
and green and purple
dancing in the blue-black sky.
The CIP summary is hidden to prevent possible spoilers. If you'd like to read this brief summary, just highlight it using your cursor and it will magically appear in the following lines.
CIP Summary: In a remote area of Alaska, twelve-year-old Willow helps her father with their sled dogs when she is not at school, wishing whe were more popular, all the while unaware that the animals surrounding her carry the spirits of ancestors who care for her.Publisher: Frances Foster Books/Farrar, Straus and Giroux; 111 pages
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13 comments:
I have long been a fan of Helen Frost's books, and this title is no exception. Love is at the core of this book and is explored in a truly unique way.
Though I enjoy all of Frost's work, I didn't think I could ever like a Helen Frost book as much as Spinning Through the Universe. She's done it again, though. This one's so very different, and I love it so very much!
For me at least, it takes a special book to get me beyond the poetic format and into the story. Helen Frost truly uses the device as something that adds real depth in her work.
BTW, nice touch up there, Mary!
Thanks, Jen. :-)
Count me in the Helen Frost fan club. She makes Big poetry (with layers of meaning, where little words tell a full and complete story with a distinctive voice) seem so darn easy!
Willow rings so honest to me. As I was reading, I spent some time remembering my own 12 year old poetry. Full of so many questions that I was almost afraid to voice. I remember writing in code, just in case anyone ever read my super secret diary. That was so important.
Which might be why I turned every page of this book with such anticipation for the highlighted words.
This is a book that I want to share.
LOVED IT! I will definitely remember this one. It is beautifully done!
Beautiful, honest story. I loved finding the highlighted message in each page. I'm not a poetry fan but in this one the poetry format really enhanced the story. Very well done.
The verse novel is so trendy lately that when I first looked at this book, I thought "Oh no, not another one" but Helen Frost managed to use the verse novel format to enhance her story. I don't usually get emotionally attached to characters in a verse novel, but Willow and Roxy had my heart.
What a powerful story, on so many levels. I'm in total agreement with all of you, Diamond Willow is truly remarkable. Great literature has the potential to touch a reader deeply; this book does so in a way that's not overly emotional or graphic, but with beautiful simplicity.
What a deliciously clever book. I wouldn't mind seeing it as an honor book just for its uniqueness, although there are stories I have enjoyed more this year.
I really enjoyed this book. I heard Helen Frost speak about how she came up with the idea for the story and it made everything come to life for me. This is a very heart-warming book and a pleasure to read. I especially enjoyed the format of the text and the special sayings that were in the bold.
WoW. I loved this book! What a inventive and clever way to tell a story. This book will definitely capture the heart and mind of each of its readers. Helen Frost is a master of story telling.
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Helen Frost does it again. She is amazing in her form. I turned several kids on to this book and love using it to teach poetry (especially to kids who say, "I can't do this! Oh yeah, well,look at this!! No more complaining!") Plus, don't know why, but I am digging this whole Alaska setting--I have been drawn to books set there--I guess a mid-life
crisis!!??
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