61 pages • 2 hours read
416
Novel • Fiction
Bakersfield, California • Contemporary
2013
Middle grade
10-14 years
770L
In Counting by 7s by Holly Goldberg Sloan, 12-year-old Willow Chance, a highly gifted girl fascinated by plants and medicine, navigates life in Bakersfield, California. After her adoptive parents die in a car accident, she finds solace and a new family with her school counselor, Dell Duke, and her friends Mai and Quang-ha Nguyen. The story explores themes of family, growth, and healing. Willow experiences profound loss and the narrative includes the death of significant characters.
Bittersweet
Inspirational
Emotional
Heartwarming
Contemplative
88,376 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Counting by 7s by Holly Goldberg Sloan is widely praised for its heartfelt and inspiring narrative, centered on a unique protagonist. Readers appreciate its emotional depth and engaging characters. However, some find its plot developments somewhat predictable and the pacing uneven at times. Overall, it remains a touching story of resilience and the power of community.
A reader who enjoys Counting by 7s by Holly Goldberg Sloan is typically someone who appreciates heartfelt, character-driven stories about overcoming adversity. Fans of Sharon Draper's Out of My Mind or R.J. Palacio's Wonder will likely be drawn to the book's themes of resilience, self-discovery, and the importance of found family.
88,376 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
416
Novel • Fiction
Bakersfield, California • Contemporary
2013
Middle grade
10-14 years
770L
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