Counting by 7s

Willow Chance is an adopted twelve-year-old genius who can diagnose an inordinate number of medical conditions.

To ease her anxiety, she counts by sevens. After her adoptive parents die in a car accident, Willow’s neurodivergence doesn’t allow her to deal with the trauma in typical ways which surprise people around her. As other characters in this multiple-point-of-view story emerge and get to know Willow, they find her entirely endearing and would do anything for her. I found it satisfying to see how Willow processes through her grief in her own way.

This story is beautifully written, and I wanted to… show more.

This beautifully written book about Willow, an outsider who is dealing with the loss of her adoptive parents, is one of healing and hope. A diverse and multicultural cast of characters grace the pages of Sloan’s novel, with a resolution of renewal and found family for Willow. I love stories of found family with non-biological ties, and Counting by 7s is a good one for readers of all ages.

Yep, another orphan. Willow Chance is a twelve-year-old genius, obsessed with nature and diagnosing medical conditions, who finds it comforting to count by 7s. I love this book because it deals with the issue of grief in a way that is real but not so harsh that middle school kids can’t read it. The protagonist has creative ways of caring for herself while trying to find her forever family.

I read this book at least three times while writing my book, Parked, trying to crack its code: i.e. how could a book be so sad (the main character loses both parents on the same day) and, at the same time, so funny, strange, comforting, and familiar? There’s an unforgettable scene on a rooftop involving broken bottles. So so good.