Counting by 7s

This is the first middle-grade book I’ve read that was so compelling I couldn’t put it down. My boys were also enthralled with it and they both gave it an enthusiastic thumbs up. My eight-year old is highly sensitive about death and tragedy so the fact that he liked it even though Willow’s parents die is pretty amazing. He said he liked it because he could relate to Willow. I think most kids will find something about Willow to relate to even if they aren’t a super genius like she is. I loved Willow. I liked her observations about life and people. I thought all of the characters were wonderful even though they all had their flaws. Dell, the school counselor is horribly inept which I found to be a unique twist on this type of story. Normally, I would expect that the school counselor would be the hero, helping Willow cope with the loss of her parents. Instead, Willow is the one helping him. That’s a running theme in this story – Willow gets support from a variety of people but she teaches them all things too. It’s a two-way street. I really appreciated the fact that there were several characters of color in this book, including Willow herself. It’s nice to see diversity in any book but especially in one for children. This book was a selection for the Intergenerational Book Club my sons and I belong too. Ideas for theme related snacks included seven-layer dip and seven-layer cake. The book club is through the Unitarian Universalist church that my family attends. UUs have seven principles that we strive to live by so part of our discussion included which of the seven principles are represented in the book. (If you look at the principles on the UUA’s website you’ll probably notice that they seem pretty wordy for middle-grade kids to understand. We have more simplified versions of the them that the kids learn in Sunday school.) Anyway, I’m not trying to proselytize – I just thought it was neat that they tied into our discussion so well because there are seven of them. Counting by 7s is a powerful story about family, community and the power of love. Highly recommended for kids of all ages.

Counting by 7s is a beautifully written story about loss, resilience, and finding family in unexpected places—deeply moving and full of hope.

Counting by 7s will appeal to readers from middle schoolers up to adults. The story entangles six unique characters, all with their own quirkiness, and brings them all together. The story is sad, funny, heart warming, and eye opening. The reading was simple, but the message, powerful.

I really enjoyed this book. It would be excellent for young readers or old. The characters have real depth and the story is touching. I highly recommend it.

I had no clue what this back was about.. .sad. .happy.. mystery or another genre. But holy cow, this book touched my heart. I read it on Kindle. But now I have to have it in my collection. Inspiring, interesting, and a tear seeker. This book warmed my heart. Thank u for this awesome book that I'll never forget!

My son, 11, finished this book and immediately told me I needed to read it. He told me he loved it and that I would too. I have never read a book that gets inside the heads of so many disparate people, but especially one that gets inside a “loser” adult man who could easily have been the villain of this story and makes you love him. In a MIDDLE GRADE NOVEL! This book should be required reading for its empathic value alone. But it goes further. It is beautifully written while being easy to comprehend. I filled pages of my commonplace with sentences I want never to forget. The first-person narrator portions are from a character who is completely believable (even if situations are 1 in a million) and perfectly naive, a blend of I Capture the Castle and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime. The story was hopeful and motivating in ways I think The Five People You Meet In Heaven and The Alchemist we’re promised to be. I admit, my favorite book is always the last one I read, but I read this book in a day and I want to read it all over again.

Based on reviews posted at Amazon, my 13 year old daughter and I bought this magnificent volume. Its lucid, adroit and fast-moving narrative amazed and challenged us at every turn. The story, told from the varying perspectives of its central characters, artfully and movingly tells the tale of loss and redemption for each of them, centered around the transformative and shattering loss Willow suffers in the opening pages. In some respects, this is not an easy book to read - it does not soften the horrors of traumatic loss - but it is ultimately redemptive in ways that will not be entirely obvious until the final pages. Along the way are woven strands of growth and good fortune in the face of withering adversity as the characters negotiate their often painful pathways to wholeness. You can't help but get drawn into their stories and to hope for better outcomes in their lives. The author inserts numerous charming and interesting details to illuminate the paths that carry the characters forward. From the many accurate and defining notes about plant biology to the impulsive creation of a stained glass sky light from broken bottles, these miniatures feel authentic and "just right" - almost complete short stories on their own. As a modern parable for negotiating change and personal growth in the face of adversity (who doesn't experience that challenge at some level), this is an excellent book that I highly recommend.

But the ending was sad overall it was a very good book though!!! P.S: I count by sevens too!!! Love it

Muy bonito. Una niña adoptada, muy inteligente pero algo desubicada en su ambiente escolar, sufre una experiencia horrible y a su alrededor se teje una "red" de ayuda improbable pero exitosa. Se plantea como un libro para adolescentes y lo compré para mi hijo de 12 pero trasciende generaciones. Los personajes están tratados con mucha agudeza y cariño. Me ha encantado. El envío, como casi siempre, muy satisfactorio.

Although initially the style of writing was not appealing, I became entranced with Willow's depth of interpretation of her world.

Intriguing story with a wide range of emotions, quirky characters and thought-provoking themes. This story draws you in and keeps you engaged until the last page. Would make a heartwarming movie!

Amazing Book. The core of emotions it takes you through is so overwhelming. The plot develops very smoothly around our beloved 'Willow Chance' and it's delightful how everyone finds his/her way caring for one single person.... In love with this book <3 <3 Totally enjoyed the journey through this one.... :)

Schönes Buch, öffnet einem das Herz