What is the theme in Willow by Julia Hoban?

The importance of literature is a major theme in the story. Since Willow grew up with academic parents, she has a strong relationship with books, just as her older brother has and her parents had. Almost all of the strong memories Willow has of her parents are elicited through her experiences with books. For example, Willow allows herself to bond with Guy over the book Tristes Tropiques because it was her father's favorite book, and in the end of the novel she gives her father's copy to him. Willow also has a volatile reaction when Guy asks her to help him find a copy of a list of books, one of which was penned by her father. Books not only affect Willow's relationship with Guy, but also her relationship with David. Willow desperately wants to bond with David after the accident, and one way she attempts to is by visiting the old bookstore they frequented as children with their father.