Counting By 7’s-Blog IX-Amy Rose

1. This is a very serious text that helps and allows readers to either relate or understand loss and poverty.

2. I lost my father at a young age. I was in the fourth grade. I was able to relate to the main character and this allowed me to think about which students would want or need to read this book. I was reminded of A Walk Two Moons By Sharon Creech. Counting By 7’s message to me was be who you are and love what you do, life may send you struggles. But what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger!

3. The books underlying assumptions of children is that children are powerful. The main character keeps adults in the story on their toes and usually put them in their place with medical research to back her. I share this idea with the novel, children have a raw un-jaded power about them. They have an honest resolve and challenge whatever they feel passionately about.

4. This book is definitely realistic, it does not cover up real struggles some families fave. Underemployment, poverty, and the power of knowledge. These realistic aspects are very believable, being from and underprivileged family I could relate to Willow’s foster family. I did not expect such a heavy plot, but this did not affect the way I approached the novel.

5. As I said earlier I was reminded of Sharon Creech’s novels often dealing with struggle, death, and coming into maturity. It supports those who need a solid novel to relate to during a time of struggle.

6. Counting By 7’s is something students who are not facing struggle should read because as human beings we must be able to relate and understand the struggle some face on the daily. Fostering compassion and respect for others who may seem “different” is a trait some must learn because it does not come natural. This novel could help those students who are privileged with a perspective into struggle and over coming a big set back. Here are some of my favorite quotes to support my thoughts.

“For someone grieving, moving forward is the challenge. Because after extreme loss, you want to go back.”

“[T]he deepest form of pain comes out as silence.”

“It’s possible that all labels are curses. Unless they are on cleaning products.”