Goldberg Sloan, Holly. Counting by 7s. New York: Dial Books for Young Readers, 2013

Sometimes a librarian is just too darn busy to get quickly to all of the books she wants to read. Certainly, I had been most eager to read Counting by 7s by Holly Goldberg Sloan. Thank goodness for book talks that force me to prioritize.

I loved this book, the story of Willow Chance, her parents, and all of people who come together to save her when she is in desperate need of saving. Willow is a unique girl. Extremely intelligent - about gardening, medical issues, literature, and math, but not as strong in relating to the people around her. Her parents encourage her and protect her, all the while working to help her find a place in her world. When they are killed in an unexpected accident, Willow finds herself quite unable to function. The most unlikely group gathers - willing and unwilling - to shelter her. Dell, her school assigned counselor, is fascinated, but unprepared for the way is world is about to be turned upside down. Mae, Willow’s only friend, finds the maturity and fortitude to keep her from becoming a part of the social services system. Mai’s mother Pattie, perhaps a bit less willing, is drawn to Willow’s grief, unable to let her go. Mia’s brother Quang-Ha, very unwilling, becomes a better person in becoming a part of Willow’s world. Her cab driver Jairo, who thinks of Willow as his own angel, steps in at the best of times. The story of Willow’s rescue is difficult to summarize simply, but the story is worth the read.

I appreciate many things about the book. We love to categorize books, and this title is cataloged as YA. Due to the chapters that tell the story through the perspective of both the young and not so young characters, I would find myself recommending this to adult readers. The journey, specifically of Dell, is one to which many of us can relate. I love the nuggets of wisdom that Willow shares. For one of many examples, she notes, “I admire that in a person. The ability to keep your mouth shut is usually a sign of intelligence.
Introspection requires you to think and analyze.
It’s hard to do that when you are blabbing away.”

I love the intelligence of this child, evident in the way the reader gets to see her mind work. After the death of her parents, she is asked by a stranger where they are? Her response :

“A world lost,

a world unsuspected

beckons to new places

and no whiteness (lost) is so white as the

memory of whiteness.”

And then I add:

“William Carlos Williams. “The Descent.”

She knows the work of William Carlos Williams and when to use it. I love how so many different threads come together in a beautiful way to create this work. Many times, I caught myself nearly crying in my crazy busy library where movies are being filmed and props for spirit week are being made and kids are desperately trying to earn their reading counts book. I sat, or stood, in the middle of it all nearly weeping at the beauty of this book. One time is the first time she really laughs after her loss. She notes, “I didn’t realize until recently that emotions could be so contagious.
I now know why comedians are important in culture.” Another time is when she begins to think in 7s again, counting the most important people in her life and the lessons she has learned.

I will be book talking this title within the week to an 8th grade group, mostly because of Willow’s age, 12. I am including it in a slide entitled, “Some Kids I Love.” I think, too, that I will be talking to my older readers as well, especially those who dream of writing some day, what a lovely example. And adults, I have some adults who will love this.

So it took me awhile to get to this title, but I am sure glad I finally did!