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Monday, August 26, 2013

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday: Counting By 7s + Arc Giveaway

To find out more about Marvelous Middle Grade Monday, click here. 

Title Counting By 7s
Author: Holly Goldberg Sloan (link)
Genre:  Contemporary

Pub Date: August 2013


(Arc giveaway info below)

Goodreads Synopsis:  Willow Chance is a twelve-year-old genius, obsessed with nature and diagnosing medical conditions, who finds it comforting to count by 7s. 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 book 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 read.


First Line: We sit together outside the Fosters Freeze at a sea-green, metal picnic table.

This story was chosen as one of five editor buzz books at BEA this year. And it's not hard to see why. From the start, the quirky, oddball voice grabs hold and doesn't let go through the very end. There were moments where I laughed out loud on one page, only to dab my eyes on the next. And I found myself reading full passages aloud to anyone caught in the same room as me while I devoured this book. Full of heart, humor, and characters that are both remarkable yet true to life, Counting By 7s has the makings of an insta-classic.

Why You'll Love Willow: Willow's deadpan delivery and unique world view completely enchanted me. Her voice makes the story hilarious and bittersweet all at the same time. Serious, super-smart, and spunky, Willow has a way of connecting people in subtle yet poignant ways that pay off in the end.

Counting By 7s Topics & Themes: family, community, overcoming tragedy, death, growing, counseling, gardening, geniuses, oddballs, school, making a difference, adoption, multiculturalism.

Galley Giveaway!
You must read this book! And to help spread the joy, I'm passing along an arc from BEA. Leave a comment below with your Twitter handle or contact info to enter. +1 Entry if you RT my post on Twitter. I'll pick a winner using random.org after Sunday, 9/1.

Want to find more marvelous middle grade books? Check out my past picks, as well as these MMGM bloggers who have more recommendations every Monday!  

26 comments:

  1. I think I have to read this book. It sounds terrific. I tweeted your link (https://twitter.com/rosihollinbeck/status/372002880275755009). My best contact is rosihollinbeck (at) yahoo (dot) com. Thanks for the review and for running the giveaway.

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    1. Definitely worthwhile! And thanks for tweeting.

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  3. Sounds like a really great concept and I love the cover. I've read some excellent middle grade books in the past month, I feel like this would fit right in. Contact: @davidiocy

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    1. Agree about the cover. Modern and beautiful!!

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  4. Okay. I will read this book! In fact may have to get it and read it today (ebook). Love love the sound of it!

    If I win the arc I will be sure to share it forward with some of my middle grade readers at the library!

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    1. Would love to know a kid's perspective on the plot and characters :)

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  5. Hey, I tweeted, debamarshall !

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  6. I remember people raving about this book. I'm glad it didn't disappoint and that you loved the voice so much.
    On my tbr list it goes. Thanks for the feature. :)

    ~Akoss

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  7. I loved this one! You don't have to include me in your giveaway since I already have a copy, but I agree with your review - it was fantastic!

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    1. Glad you loved it as much as I did :)

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  8. Sounds like one I need to check out! Thanks for sharing.

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  9. Ooo, I'd love to read this book! You make it sound irresistible. And I retweeted your tweet. Thanks for the giveaway. I'm @JoanneRFritz.

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  10. Hey, I'm in for a giveaway! I love books with quirky voices. Email me at aippersbach at shaw dot com.

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  11. This really sounds like a good one. I haven't read this, but would love to. My email is wvsmarties at yahoo.com
    Thanks for the review and the giveaway. Janet

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    1. You bet! And got you added. Thx much.

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  12. This book sounds (and looks!) great! Thanks for spotlighting it. I read I'll Be There and loved it - please enter me for the giveaway.
    And I retweeted (I'm @sophiesinter) :)
    Lea Sophie

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    1. Hi Lea - thanks for stopping by, and thanks for the RT! Haven't read that one yet. Must check it out!!

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  13. This sounds like a great book that is going on my to-read list right now! My email is jenberger75 at yahoo dot com. I also retweeted - @j_rumberger. Thanks for the giveaway! :)

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    1. You got it - and thanks again for the RT!

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  14. Ok...just let me start with~this sounds amazing!I am looking forward to this book.

    Dcs1librarian@yahoo.com

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    1. It is! I was happy dancing like your cute icon after I read it :)

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