Twelve-year-old Willow Chance is a genius. She also loves the number 7 and is obsessed with plants and medical conditions. Her adoptive parents love her more than anything. Willow feels the same way about them. They are different, but they fit together perfectly. When Willow's parents are killed in an accident everything changes. She has to leave the garden she has worked on for years, the place that has been her comfort zone and allowed her to grow. The two people who took care of Willow are gone. She's hoping to find a place where she belongs. Those who help her along her journey will never be the same. Will she find another place she feels comfortable? Will Willow be able to create a new garden? Is it possible for her to move on? Read this touching book about loss, change, and hope to find out!
Counting by 7s by Holly Goldberg Sloan is a book that took me by surprise! I read it in just over day because I was curious about what would happen to Willow and the people in her life. Willow's unique personality made her endearing. Willow is smart and caring. I like the way her brain organized things, and that she was so knowledgeable about plants and medicine. It would be fun to talk to her and see her green thumb in action. She cracked me up, and I liked the way 7 kept showing up in her life (it's one of my favorite numbers). I think anyone who has experienced a major loss will connect with this story. Although Willow had tragedy strike her life, the story was about her search for another place where she belongs, and about how she dealt with her grief. I recommend this book to anyone in fifth grade and up that is ready for an emotional story with characters that will make them think. It's been a while since I finished this book, and I'm still thinking about Willow. I can't wait to read another book by this author soon!
Has anyone else read Counting by 7s? Or have you read another book by Holly Goldberg Sloan? We’d love to hear your thoughts!
Happy reading!
~L
For other MMGM posts, please visit Greg Pattridge's blog.
Sounds like her caring attitude is what gets her through a difficult time.
ReplyDeleteAlex- It certainly helps! :) ~L
DeleteThis sounds like a wonderful book! Hugs, Valerie
ReplyDeleteValerie- It really is! :) ~L
DeleteI really like this book. I remember challenging my kids to count by 7s and 13s... because for some reason those numbers have a way of showing up in our lives, too.
ReplyDeleteSue- How interesting! 7s are one of the numbers that show up in my life too. Glad to hear you liked this book too! :) ~L
DeleteThat really sounds powerful, profound and relatable.
ReplyDeleteEC- You betcha! :) ~L
DeleteOh, I adore this book! I've lent it to a couple of people. It's so heartfelt and the characters so likable.
ReplyDeleteDonna- I am so happy to hear you love this one too. A great book to lend to others for sure. :) ~L
DeleteI haven't read it but it sounds like it would be a good book.
ReplyDeleteMary- I really liked it! :) ~L
DeleteI've read other good reviews of this book. It must be good if you're still thinking about it. Thanks for sharing it with us this week.
ReplyDeleteNatalie- It is a book that sticks with you for sure. Willow is a character I really connected to! If you read it, I hope you enjoy it too! :) ~L
DeleteMany thanks for sharing this book.
ReplyDeleteHoping 2022 has started well for you.
All the best Jan
You are welcome, Jan! :) ~L
DeletePoor Willow! Sounds like a great book!
ReplyDeleteValinora- It really is a great book. Love Willow! :) ~L
DeleteI've had this book on my TBR forever! I will have to read it one of these days. Thanks for reminding me. :)
ReplyDeleteMaria- I understand. There are lots of books I have on my TBR list that have been there for a while. I hope you get to this one soon! :) ~L
DeleteThis one is new to me. thanks for highlighting it.
ReplyDeleteCarol- You are welcome! Enjoy! :) ~L
DeleteThis sounds so good.
ReplyDeleteChristine- It really is! :) ~L
DeleteI have had this one on my list forever. I can't believe I haven't gotten to it. Your review has made me move it way up my list. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteRosi- I hope you enjoy it. I can't wait to hear your thoughts. :) ~L
DeleteI hadn't heard of this one, so thanks for posting about it!
ReplyDeleteLee- I think you will like this one! :) ~L
DeleteCounting sounds intriguing. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteSandra- Glad it sounds good to you!:) ~L
DeleteI've heard about this book, but haven't read it. I can't believe with the amount of loss Willow has dealt with. I'm intrigued and need to get a copy. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeletePatricia- I know! My heart goes out to Willow. I hope you enjoy this one as much as I did! :) ~L
DeleteBoth story and author are new to me - but this sounds fabulous!!
ReplyDeleteJemi- Happy to be able to introduce you to the book and author. :) ~L
DeleteI read this book many years ago, when I was very young—and I stayed up FAR later than I should have (especially at that age!) and finished the whole thing in a night! And your review makes me want to track a copy down and read it again, since I recall absolutely loving it when I read it at the time. Thanks so much for the wonderful review, Stephanie!
ReplyDeleteMax-
DeleteAwesome to hear you enjoyed this one when you read it! Staying up to finish is always a good sign. Hope if you read it again you like it just as much or more! :)
Despite the number 7 being unlucky for me I think I'd really enjoy this book as Willow sounds like such a spirited character.
ReplyDeleteFelicity- Sorry to hear that the number 7 is unlucky for you- but I think you would enjoy this book and Willow's reasons for finding the number important. :) ~L
DeleteHI DMS - sounds like an ideal read for many people ... I love # 13 ... and tend to avoid # 7 because it seems to be everyone's favourite! But that's just me - and the reviews here are encouraging for us to read - cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteHilary- I love that people have strong connections to certain numbers. It's so interesting. Glad you enjoyed the review. :) ~L
DeleteSounds like it could be a bit rough, but so good and worth it in the end.
ReplyDeleteShannon- Definitely some parts are a little tough- but you are right- worth it in the end. :) ~L
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