Counting by 7s Audiobook By Holly Goldberg Sloan cover art

Counting by 7s

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Counting by 7s

By: Holly Goldberg Sloan
Narrated by: Robin Miles
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A New York Times best seller.

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 12-year-old genius, obsessed with nature and diagnosing medical conditions, who finds it comforting to count by sevens. 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 audiobook 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 listen to.

©2013 Holly Goldberg Sloan (P)2013 Penguin Audio Difficult Discussions Growing Up & Facts of Life Literature & Fiction Social & Life Skills Heartfelt Funny Inspiring

Critic reviews

“Willow's story is one of renewal, and her journey of rebuilding the ties that unite people as a family will stay in readers' hearts long after the last page.” (School Library Journal, starred review)

“A graceful, meaningful tale featuring a cast of charming, well-rounded characters who learn sweet—but never cloying—lessons about resourcefulness, community, and true resilience in the face of loss.” (Booklist starred review)

“What sets this novel apart from the average orphan-finds-a-home book is its lack of sentimentality, its truly multicultural cast (Willow describes herself as a “person of color”; Mai and Quang-ha are of mixed Vietnamese, African American, and Mexican ancestry), and its tone.... Poignant.” (The Horn Book starred review)

Featured Article: The top 100 kids books of all time


Listening to a story is the first way that we’re introduced to books as kids. And while our parents and grandparents (and babysitters and siblings!) are no doubt wonderful narrators who left indelible marks on our bookish hearts, the performances featured on this list elevate these stories to new heights. Representing listens for kids ages 0-12, and featuring animals, magical creatures, awkward middle schoolers, and more, our kids essentials will help you rediscover the magic of childhood.

Featured Article The top 100 kids books of all time
Heartwarming Story • Inspiring Characters • Emotional Journey • Beautiful Relationships • Perfect Pronunciation
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Very great book, made me inspired to work on life and enjoy the little things. I recommend this book to people who might be having a hard time, just to let them know people just like you are out there in the world as well and you will get through it, just like Willow Chance did.

Counting by 7’s review.

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Counting by 7's was an remarkable story, it is amazing what young children like Willow can over come throughout their young lives.

Celeste

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Willow is a very special girl. I haven’t been this moved by a book in a long time. So much hope from so much sadness.

Very moving!

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Willow’s unique perspective and progression from insularity to creating her own family is heartwarmingly satisfying.

Characters are vivid

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Awesome,and interesting,and weird in a good way,informing,and one ☝of the characters are smarter than me.🐅🐱🐈🐢💐🌸💮🏵🌹🌺🌻🌼🌷😊😀😃

Counting by 7's

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I loved this book so much!! I recommended this book to my mother, father, and boyfriend and they all loved it as well! I’ve read it twice now and it’s one of my favorite books of all time. Its a difficult book to explain without spoiling anything but well worth a read. I can best describe it as simply an amazing book. It is very intriguing and really gets you thinking and is well worth a read. :)

AMAZING!! 😍🙌🏼

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Very inspiring how a community of strangers can come together to love someone and each other. All strangers, now a family.

Lovely

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This book has an essential charm, is well written and combines honesty with the strength of human values. It is in the category of “kill a mockingbird” and “wonder”. The world viewed from the eyes of a child should be required reading

Wonderful!

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Willow has overcome many challenges showing she is not only smart but strong mentally and physically!

One of the best books 📚 I have resd

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Starts sad then brilliantly evolves into imaginative, soul soothing self awareness and personal growth for seven strangers.

Soul soothing brilliance

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