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 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.
"Holly Goldberg Sloan writes about belonging in a way I've never quite
seen in any other book. This is a gorgeous, funny, and heartwarming
novel that I'll never forget."--John Corey Whaley, author of Where
Things Come Back
Willow Chance subtly drew me into her head and her life, so much so that
I was holding my breath for her by the end. Holly Goldberg Sloan has
created distinct characters who will stay with you long after you finish
the book.--Sharon Creech, Newbery Award-winning author of Walk Two
Moons
In achingly beautiful prose, Holly Goldberg Sloan has written a
delightful tale of transformation that's a celebration of life in all
its wondrous, hilarious and confounding glory. Counting by 7s is a
triumph.--Maria Semple, author of Where'd You Go, Bernadette
