Counting by 7s

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.

"Holly Goldberg Sloan writes about belonging in a way I've never quite seen in any other book. This is a gorgeous, funny, and heartwarming novel that I'll never forget."--John Corey Whaley, author of Where Things Come Back

"Willow Chance subtly drew me into her head and her life, so much so that I was holding my breath for her by the end. Holly Goldberg Sloan has created distinct characters who will stay with you long after you finish the book."--Sharon Creech, Newbery Award-winning author of Walk Two Moons

"In achingly beautiful prose, Holly Goldberg Sloan has written a delightful tale of transformation that's a celebration of life in all its wondrous, hilarious and confounding glory. Counting by 7s is a triumph."--Maria Semple, author of Where'd You Go, Bernadette


Author: Holly Goldberg Sloan
Publisher: Rocky Pond Books
Published: 08/29/2013
Pages: 384
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 1.10lbs
Size: 8.40h x 5.90w x 1.40d
ISBN: 9780803738553
Audience: Ages 9-12

Accelerated Reader:
Reading Level: 5.6
Point Value: 10
Interest Level: Middle Grade
Quiz #/Name: 160220 / Counting by 7s


Award: Nutmeg Book Award - Nominee
Award: Bluebonnet Awards - Nominee
Award: E.B. White Read Aloud Award - Honor Book
Award: Kentucky Bluegrass Award - Nominee
Award: Black-Eyed Susan Award - Nominee
Award: Capitol Choices: Noteworthy Books for Children and Teens - Recommended
Award: Great Stone Face Book Award - Nominee
Award: Isinglass Teen Read Award - Nominee
Award: Keystone to Reading Book Award - Nominee
Award: Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children's Book Award - Nominee
Award: Buckeye Children's Book Award - Nominee
Award: Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award - Nominee
Award: Rhode Island Teen Book Award - Nominee
Award: Grand Canyon Reader Award - Nominee
Award: Georgia Children's Book Award - Nominee
Award: Rebecca Caudill Young Readers Book Award - Nominee
Award: Beehive Awards - Nominee
Award: North Carolina Children's Book Award - Nominee
Award: Colorado Children's Book Award - Nominee
Award: Evergreen Young Adult Book Award - Nominee
Award: Golden Sower Award - Nominee
Award: Mark Twain Readers Award - Nominee
Award: Charlie May Simon Children's Book Award - Nominee
Award: Iowa Teen Award - Nominee
Award: Land of Enchantment Book Award - Nominee
Award: Maud Hart Lovelace Book Award - Nominee
Award: Sunshine State Young Reader's Award - Nominee
Award: Virginia Readers Choice Award - Nominee
Award: Volunteer State Book Awards - Nominee
Award: William Allen White Childens Book Award - Nominee
Award: Young Reader's Choice Award - Nominee
Award: Louisiana Young Readers' Choice Award - Nominee
Award: Delaware Diamonds Award - Nominee
Award: South Carolina Childrens, Junior and Young Adult Book Award - Nominee
Award: Massachusetts Children's Book Award - Nominee


Review Citation(s):
Publishers Weekly 07/08/2013
Kirkus Reviews 07/15/2013
Booklist 08/01/2013 pg. 72
Bulletin of Ctr for Child Bks 09/01/2013 - Book Of Special Distinction
School Library Journal 09/01/2013 pg. 148
Shelf Awareness 08/30/2013
Horn Book Magazine 09/01/2013 pg. 111
SLJ's Best Books 12/01/2013 pg. 38
Hornbook Guide to Children 01/01/2014 pg. 126 - Outstanding, Noteworthy In Style

About the Author
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.