BOOK NAME: Diamond Willow
AUTHOR: Helen Frost

If you can think of a unique setting for a book, I am sure that one you would think of is an Alaskan setting. Diamond Willow takes place in Alaska and if that isn’t unique enough, on each page the words are set in a diamond shape and a few of the words are highlighted to make another sentence. It is hard to explain but when you see the pages of the book, trust me it will all make sense. At first, it can be a little strange to read in this manner. But once you get used to it you may find yourself enjoying this unique manner of storytelling.

As you would expect, a story taking place in Alaska offers everything you could want in a book such as action, adventure and mystery. This book is a daring tale where the main character, 12 year old Willow, is desperate for independence from her parents. She is an aspiring musher (someone who trains and handles dogs for a sled team). Willow would love more than anything to mush the dogs out to her grandparents by herself, but her parents won’t allow it. Roxy, the lead dog in the team, has to help guide Willow through the challenges she faces not only in the wilderness, but in herself as well.

With the help of others, Willow grows tremendously in this book. She comes to realize that you can’t do everything on your own and with the help of friends (whether it be human or canine), you can accomplish what you want the most and more. I think that everyone who reads this book can relate to it because there are many cool aspects to this story, especially the dogs. I can tell you these sled dogs are nothing like my little Chihuahua, Sophie! This is one of those really good books that if you reread it, you will find out something new each time.