Counting by 7s
Holly Goldberg Sloan (2013)
“A twelve-year-old genius loses everything and discovers that the family you build can be stronger than the one you were born into.”
Counting by 7s— Summary & Analysis
by Holly Goldberg Sloan · published 2013 · 378 pages · Contemporary
A user-friendly study guide for Counting by 7s by Holly Goldberg Sloan (2013): a high-level plot summary, full chapter-by-chapter analysis, theme breakdowns, character profiles, and 30 essay questions designed for middle-school readers. Unlike a stock summary, sumsumsum.com adds a diction analysis drawn from Holly Goldberg Sloan’s actual text, and reading-difficulty guidance (Easy, 1/10) so students, teachers, and lifelong readers know what they are walking into.
“A twelve-year-old genius loses everything and discovers that the family you build can be stronger than the one you were born into.”
Short Summary
Willow Chance is a twelve-year-old genius obsessed with nature, medical conditions, and the number seven. When both her adoptive parents are killed in a car accident, Willow — who has never fit in anywhere — must navigate the foster care system and the terrifying prospect of being truly alone. Through a Vietnamese nail salon owner, a troubled teenager, a disorganized school counselor, and a taxi driver, Willow discovers that the family you choose can be as real as the one you lost.
Detailed Summary
Willow Chance is a twelve-year-old adopted girl living in Bakersfield, California. She is a self-taught expert in botany, medical diagnosis, and Vietnamese, with an IQ that places her in the genius range. She counts by sevens to calm herself. She does not fit in at school. She does not fit in anywhe...
Chapter-by-Chapter Analysis
If you liked Counting by 7s, read next
Start with Wonder by R.J. Palacio — Both center outsider protagonists who transform their communities — Auggie through visibility, Willow through intelligence and vulnerability. Then try The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate — Another story of an exceptional individual trapped in a system not designed for them — Ivan in a mall, Willow in institutions that cannot accommodate her. Or pivot to When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead — A similarly brainy middle-grade protagonist navigating a world that doesn't quite fit — both novels trust young readers with complexity.