Book Review-

 

 

 

Bibliography:

Frost, H. (2015). HIDDEN. Square Fish.

 

 

Plot Summary:

When Wren Abbott and Darra Monson are eight years old, Darra's father steals a minivan. He doesn't know that Wren is hiding in the back. The hours and days that follow change the lives of both girls. Darra is left with a question that only Wren can answer. Wren has questions, too. Years later, in a chance encounter at camp, the girls face each other for the first time. They can finally learn the truth, if they're willing to reveal to each other the stories that they've hidden for so long. Told from alternating viewpoints, this novel-in-poems reveals the complexities of memory and the strength of a friendship that can overcome pain.

 

 

Critical Analysis:

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, not even realizing that it is written in non-traditional poetry form. The flow of the interchanging viewpoints was seamless and written in language that perfectly evokes the angst of the experiences it depicts. The text gives insightful commentary on adolescence, peer relationships, family drama, and inner dialogue. The language and dialogue of the poem lends itself to being analyzed on a deeper level. Frost is inventive and clever in her use of poetry and does a wonderful job of creating vivid mental pictures throughout this enthralling story. HIDDEN is an easy-going read and great choice when introducing poetry to middle school age students.

 

 

Review Excerpts:

2012 American Library Association Notable Books for Children Award Winner

VOYA review: “Many teen readers will identify with Wren and Darra and how events that happened to us when we were younger help shape the person we become.”

Booklist Review: “Like Frost's Printz Honor Book, Keesha's House (2003), this novel in verse stands out through its deliberate use of form to illuminate emotions and cleverly hide secrets in the text.”

 

 

Connections:

-Use HIDDEN by Helen Frost to teach students point of view and perspective by reading sections of the story and having students separate into groups to analyze each character’s perspective, Darra versus Wren.  

-Dig deeper into inferences and reveal to students the hidden code Frost left in Darra's sections of the book. The last word of each long line in Darra's sections offers more insight about her and her father.  

-Walk students through creating character sketches of Darra and Wren. This can be completed in small groups.

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