The book Counting by 7’s by Holly Goldberg Sloan, was a sad but very page-turning novel. The main character was a girl named Willow Chase. Willow’s parents were killed in a car accident. She thought that when she started school, it would be a fresh new year. Willow had trouble making friends.

Willow was very smart and when she took her State Proficiency test, and finished in 17 minutes and got a perfect score. Everyone had thought she cheated, but she didn't. Willow was sent down to a counselor who she became friends with and which led to her first best friend, Mai Nguyen.



Willow was very smart and fascinated by plants. She loved gardens and all sorts of plants. She knew all about them. After Willow’s parents died, her whole life changed. She did not want to be in a foster home, she wanted to live with Mai’s family. She and Mai’s family become great friends, also with the counselor.

Willow’s favorite number was 7. She could always count by 7’s. When her life changed, she couldn't count by 7’s.