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    Counting by 7s
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    Counting by 7s
    Unavailable
    Counting by 7s
    Audiobook7 hours

    Counting by 7s

    Written by Holly Goldberg-Sloan

    Narrated by Robin Miles

    4.5/5

    ()

    Currently unavailable

    Currently unavailable

    About this audiobook

    A New York Times Bestseller

    In the tradition of Out of My Mind, Wonder, and Mockingbird, this is an intensely moving middle grade novel about being an outsider, coping with loss, and discovering the true meaning of family.

    Willow Chance is a twelve-year-old genius, obsessed with nature and diagnosing medical conditions, who finds it comforting to count by 7s. It has never been easy for her to connect with anyone other than her adoptive parents, but that hasn't kept her from leading a quietly happy life . . . until now.

    Suddenly Willow's world is tragically changed when her parents both die in a car crash, leaving her alone in a baffling world. The triumph of this book is that it is not a tragedy. This extraordinarily odd, but extraordinarily endearing, girl manages to push through her grief. Her journey to find a fascinatingly diverse and fully believable surrogate family is a joy and a revelation to read.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherPenguin Random House Audio
    Release dateAug 29, 2013
    ISBN9781101631225
    Unavailable
    Counting by 7s
    Author

    Holly Goldberg-Sloan

    Holly Goldberg Sloan, the acclaimed author of I'll Be There, has worked as an advertising copywriter and a writer and director of feature films. She lives in Santa Monica, California.

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    Reviews for Counting by 7s

    4.5/5

    567 ratings82 reviews

    What did you think?

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    Review must be at least 10 words

    • 4/5
      I previously read (and enjoyed immensely) the book that HGS co-wrote with Meg Wolitzer, but this middle-grade story didn't do much for me. I think it was meant to be quirky and hopeful in the face of tragedy, but the quirky didn't really work for me and that rather made the whole thing fall apart.
    • 4/5
      What I like best about this book is the characters. They were all unique, had their own voice, and likable. The book is a gem. The story is sad, but projects hope. There were so many one-liners that in most books would make me roll my eyes, but the author made it work. I'll be recommending this to lots of students this year! I'm so glad it's a Nebraska Golden Sower Nominee.
    • 3/5
      I like children’s books that have a different main character, aka not cookie cutter normal with a “typical” life. It seems like that’s happening more and more these days, but Willow is one of the more interesting characters I’ve encountered lately. Dell was a strange character because he was so unlikable to me, but overall the story was really intriguing and I wanted to know how everything would end. I read this because the 6th graders at school read it.
    • 4/5
      What a heart-warming little story this turned out to be. At first I found Willow to be quite precocious and annoying, but I did find myself liking her more as the book progressed. There were some wonderful, quirky characters who supported Willow in her time of need, but my favourites were Jairo, the taxi driver, and Quang-ha. Although the plot was contrived and predictable I loved how the author gradually transformed a misfit group of strangers into make-shift family. A lovely story.
    • 5/5
      This is a fast read with an interesting heroine, a fun plot, some sadness, but a happy ending. I liked the characters in this book -- every single one of them -- and each was distinct with a personality that made sense given their history. These are people whose future I would love to follow (but can't). The progression of events do contain some moral/ethical lessons but very gently stated. Yet another of the books written for young adults but very satisfying to this woman long past "young."
    • 5/5
      So heartbreaking. The happily ever after ending was a bit saccharine for me, but on the whole, the book was wonderful and enjoyable.
    • 4/5
      Very good read. Surprised me several times. If you've ever felt weird or out of place you'll love the young heroine.
    • 5/5
      Brilliant. Heart-breaking and hopeful. Full of wonderful characters.
    • 5/5
      This was a very interesting and enjoyable book for any older elementary or middle school child. The story follows Willow Chance and her journey as her life is drastically changed. On her journey, the once lonely outsider comes to acquire a close network of friends that become her new family. I thought this book was very good. It kept me engaged with this eccentric character. While the characters were well written, the writing style was even more impressive. While reading the book the author switches from first person narrative to third person which was different than what most books follow. For younger readers they may find this difficult but I think they will enjoy the different perspective of storytelling. Another great aspect of this story that I enjoyed was that the climax of the plot that occurred in the beginning of the book. I find that most stories take longer time for the story to reach this conflict which can leave the reader bored but this story kept me engage and rooting for the protagonist to find her happy ending. This story was about starting over and perseverance through tragedy.
    • 5/5
      Read this with my 11 year old son and loved it.
    • 4/5
      Oh Man--I wanted to like this book simply because after reading "Out of my Mind" and having so many kids love it, I wanted to give them something new. It was an interesting book and I did finish it, but there was just too much of it that was out there in fantasy land....First of all, Willow herself. We are never really sure what her problem is (autistic perhaps) other than she is a genius who has no social skills though for some reason there are people who like her and go out of their way for her. Other than the fact that she is an adopted orphan, and people feel sorry for her, I really don't get that since she really isn't that likeable, just brilliant. Even when her parents (whom she obviously adored) die we don't really get a picture of her real emotions about the whole thing. There is one place where she explains that she can finally cry but other than that, you don't really know what she is going through. Then there is Pattie the Vietnamese Mom. OK--I get it that she wants to help out Willow because she is her daughter's friend but to take over someone's apartment (and to have them let her do it to the point of where they are paying for all the new furniture?) I really don't understand how things like that can happen. Foster system/school counselor/school accusing her of cheating....well, enough said about our govt. system to know that this may or may not happen. College bookstores that give away $20,000? UmmmmmAnyway--enough spoilers. All in all, this is a good book and I really don't want to trash it but there was just so much stuff there that could never happen. Even in the end pages when the author tries to defend herself about the woman having enough money to buy her own building, OK I get that, but she doesn't address the issue that she threw some guy out of his apt. first....I wish that I could say I really really liked this book rather than it was OK and maybe someone else will enjoy it more than I did....
    • 4/5
      Loved this book! An easy read and enjoyable for 4th graders on up to adult.
    • 5/5
      Synopsis: Willow Chase is a genius, who finds it calming to count by 7s. She is forced to see social worker Dell Duke after she is accused of cheating. She meets Vietnamese student Mai and her brother Quang-Ha in Duke's office. When tragedy strikes, this motley crew helps Willow overcome her grief.Thoughts: I saw this on Linda's thread, and when my library had a BRAND NEW copy, I snagged it. I love brand new books from the library!! The book is comical, thoughtful, and heartwarming. The characters are very likeable and how they mesh together makes perfect sense.Great book!
    • 5/5
      This is a dad and excited book that will tell you about a little girls hard but fun life... Yes she might be a little weird but you'll love it?
    • 4/5
      A bright ten-year-old girl, with many problems, which she mostly solves, with help. This is a good story.
    • 3/5
      Sweet story about finding self and family, even after tragedy. There were some good parts, and then there were stretchess that seeemed to take forever to get through. Not sure my students will have the interest or stamina to make it to the end.
    • 3/5
      Given the number of accolades this book garnered, I was expecting something more. Its very cute and I laughed at how neatly it was all tied up at the end but I did not feel emotionally invested by any of it.
    • 5/5
      I loved this book. I hadn't read any YA for a while - I began to think it wasn't something I enjoyed anymore - but this book was terrific - and though it focuses on a 12 year old and teenagers - there wasn't anything about it that didn't appeal to me as reader who is much older and in a different stage of life. The characters are really well drawn - the story is fresh and the plot moves along. It is sweet and funny and I really felt pulled into to their world. I would recommend!
    • 4/5
      Another excellently told story about an outsider child that happens to begin with utter terrible disaster. Holly Goldberg Sloan is on my definite watch list.
    • 4/5
      "If you get lost, you might want to swim against the tide."

      A touching story of a 12-year old adopted girl whose quirky nature will warm your heart. I think most people can relate to Willow in some way as she tries to "fit in" yet be true to herself. The story explores how every child has a place to "fit in" although not always obvious at first. Willow is a beacon of strength and intellect far beyond her young years. She is confronted with many challenges that most adults would have difficulty comprehending.
    • 5/5
      One of the best books I've read all year, hand this to every student in your wake. I was riveted by Willow's unique voice and Dell Duke, perhaps the most grotesquely realistic guidance counselor written about to date, had me hooked.

      As I've said before, I'm a generous reviewer. But this 5 starred review, truly is, 5 stars.
    • 5/5
      I loved it!
    • 5/5
      I just couldn't put this book down, I just had to see what this group is going to do and accomplish next. The growth of the characters and their interaction with their group is fascinating and inspiring. Each character has so many sides, sometimes they portray a positive sometimes a negative but each reflects their commitment to Willow. Though this book is recommended for middle grade this is for any member of the family. Don't hesitate to read no matter your age everyone needs to read a heart-warming story of hope occasionally.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 4/5
      Just as Natasha did, I enjoyed the book enormously. I was totally enthralled and more than wiling to suspend my disbelief in order to enjoy the string of coincidences, good and bad, that were almost magical. It is a charming, humane, warm sort of book with the happy ending that implies.

      But there was one flaw I couldn't overlook: Willow is a POC. She tells us, at least twice. And at least once she mentions her hair. And I never believed it for a moment because she never notices a single instance of racism. My sense of realism can't stretch that far into the magical.

      Library copy
    • 3/5
      I am a contrarian.

      Not about life. I'm not going to say the glass is half full. There is water in it. You're thirsty. Drink and stop analyzing.

      I am a contrarian when it comes to books.

      I'm turned off by quirk.

      By lack of punctuation.

      By single sentence paragraphs.

      By substituting writing style for characterization.

      Tell the story. Don't let the writing get in the way. Or the voice.

      Counting by 7s is a run-of-the-mill YA story. You know how it will end. Nothing will shock you. Though you will get choked up.

      Unless you have a heart of stone.

      The voice is quirky, though with correct punctuation.

      Single sentence paragraphs abound.

      If you like that kind of stuff, then this book is for you.

      If you don't, you can read it to pad your yearly reading goal. It's a fast read.

      Because of all those single sentence paragraphs.

      You won't regret reading it. You may even love it.

      You definitely won't forget it.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 5/5
      This is a great book! It is an extremely well-written story about a twelve-year-old girl who sees the world different from everyone else. She is a genius who has no interest in school but boundless desire to learn about the world around her, especially about health and plants. The chapter book takes the reader through Willow’s struggle to understand the world once it flips upside-down on her. However, the point of view is another wonderful part of this book. It tells the story from Willow’s first-person perspective, but it also gives a 3rd-person omniscient point of view of the other characters. The reader gains so much insight about the characters’ motives and is able to make connections that the characters can’t. The plot and reading level is more suitable for late-middle to early-high schoolers. It discusses many tough topics: health issues, death, adolescence, fitting in, family, future, and more. I think that a diverse population of people could read this book and learn something new while also finding something to relate to. “Every person has lots of ingredients to make them into what is always a one-of-a-kind creation.” The message of this book is that everyone has different apparent struggles, but not everyone’s true feelings or abilities are revealed until they are known at a deeper level.
    • 4/5
      Counting by 7s by Holly Goldberg Sloan is an appealing YA story about being a misfit, handling personal loss and grief, and ultimately finding the true meaning of family. It’s main character Willow Chance is someone who I will remember for a long time. She’s unique, interesting, and a full on genius who is obsessed with nature and diagnosing medical conditions, and who finds comfort in counting by 7s.Willow is an adopted child who feels she has the perfect family but all of that is ripped away when her parents are killed in a car crash. Willow has always had trouble fitting in with others but now even though coping with devastating grief she is able to connect to a diverse group of people who become her surrogate family.I found Counting by 7s to be a heartwarming story that shows that being different or classed as weird can be wonderful. The story of this gifted twelve year old was riveting. While the author kept her story in the realms of reality and was very creative with the complex issues that she tackled, it’s tidy ending clearly shows that this book is aimed at the younger set. I listened to an audio version read by Robin Miles whose voice made the story come alive. This was an excellent YA read.
    • 5/5
      Another audiobook! Well, I was away from home for two weeks which really gives me the time to listen to audiobooks either during the drive or at night before I fall asleep. I didn't even realize that this was a YA book until well into the book but don't let that stop you from reading or listening to this book. Willow Chance is a brilliant, unique 12 year old girl who loves to garden, recite medical facts and count to 7. She enters middle school and is put into a counseling group for cheating after she gets all the questions right on a test. Here, she meets some very unlikely friends. When her parents are killed in a car crash, these friends work together to help her put her life in order. She also makes quite a difference in their lives as well. This book was a wonderful surprise and I'm so glad that I listened to it. Highly recommended!

      1 person found this helpful

    • 3/5
      Narrated by Robin Miles. 12-year-old Willow is a genius, but a socially inept oddball whose only friends are her adoptive parents. When both parents die in an accident, Willow flounders, unable to take comfort in her usual interests and habits. But in her new normal, a motley set of characters--Del, a professionally indifferent school counselor; taxi driver Jairo; and the Nguyen family--end up touched in different ways by this eccentric girl and it is through them that Willow finds her way through sorrow. Miles presents in a voice nicely suited to this story of grief, with soothing and warm tones in sensitive moments and a light touch to express humor and hope.
    • 4/5
      Really good story about how a genius girl tries to pick up the pieces of her life and find a new family to live with after her parents are suddenly killed.