On Our Book Shelf: Counting by Sevens

Willow Sloan is one amazing, brilliant twelve year-old -- a genius, in fact, although odd in her dress and behavior.  Having mastered a number of foreign languages, she now has made a study of horticulture, medical diseases, and many other subjects far beyond most kids her age.  Interested in everything, she was labeled "highly gifted" as early as kindergarten. She can speak intelligently about circadian rhythms, biorhythms, soil acidity, genome sequencing, the force of economic incentive in a consumer-driven society, eroding markets, the connection between poor oral hygiene and heart attacks, can diagnose myopia and psoriasis, as well as its treatment, and many other conditions -- all of which she has studiously researched.

She has been placed with a counselor, Dell Duke, because her English teacher suspects her of cheating on a standardized test given to all students in the state of California for which Willow received a perfect score in 17 minutes -- an unheard of feat. Dell is not much of a therapist -- he is slovenly, disorganized, unmotivated, lazy, and uncommitted.  But waiting for her appointment with him, Willow meets a spunky Vietnamese girl named Mai and Mai's brother Quang-ha who is there to see Dell because of delinquency and lack of motivation.  This chance encounter will affect Willow's life in unforeseen ways, as it will transform theirs and Dell's as well. 

This is a beautiful, deeply moving story of survival and hope following a heart-breaking tragedy involving Willow's parents. In addition, it demonstrates the untapped potential and possibility of those individuals labeled "losers," "oddballs," "misfits," "weirdos," and the like.  Moreover, this is a stirring, uplifting tale of humanity, beautifully rendered -- life-affirming and compassionate.  I recommend it highly for 12-16 year-olds and anyone else who enjoys tales about families -- for that is what will evolve for this odd mix of very intriguing characters.