Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book. 1. If you were to create a garden inspired by Willow’s story, what would you plant, and why? 2. What do you think Willow’s life would be like 10 years after the events of the novel? Consider how her experiences might shape her education, career path, and relationships. 3. If you could add a chapter to the book, what would happen, and from whose perspective would you write it? Need more inspiration for your next meeting? <a href="https://www.supersummary.com/resources/#book-club-resources" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Browse all of our Book Club Resources</a>

Creative Engagement

Content Warning: This section of the guide contains discussion of illness and death. Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book. 1. What was your initial reaction to Willow’s unique personality traits and interests, particularly her fascination with the number seven, plants, and medical conditions? 2. How does Counting by 7s compare to other coming-of-age novels, like Holly Goldberg Sloan’s <a href="https://www.supersummary.com/short/summary/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Short</a> or <a href="https://www.supersummary.com/the-elephant-in-the-room/summary/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Elephant in the Room</a>? 3. Which character’s transformation throughout the novel did you find most compelling or surprising, and why?

General Impressions

Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism. 1. The narrative alternates between Willow’s first-person perspective and third-person omniscient narration. What effect does this shifting point of view have on your understanding of the characters and events? 2. How do the plant and garden metaphors track Willow’s emotional journey from grief to healing? 3. What might the number seven symbolize beyond Willow’s personal fascination? Consider how its significance evolves throughout the story. 4. The novel contains several instances of deception that are portrayed as justified or even necessary. What statement is the author making about truth and lies? 5. What does Dell’s transformation, particularly regarding his labeling system, suggest about the human capacity for growth? 6. Consider the moments when the color red features in the text. What meaning might the color carry in relation to the novel’s themes?

Literary Analysis

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences. 1. When have you experienced the duality Willow describes when she says “rewarding and heartbreaking often go hand in hand” (22)? 2. How do you define family in your own life, and how does this compare to the novel’s portrayal of chosen family? 3. Have you ever felt labeled or categorized in a way that didn’t capture your complexity, similar to Dell Duke’s system of categorizing students? 4. What resources or stories have helped you navigate a difficult time in your life? Consider Willow’s frustration at not finding helpful literature about losing a parent when she searches the library. 5. Willow’s garden serves as her sanctuary. What spaces or activities provide you with comfort and peace during challenging times? 6. When Willow loses her parents, she temporarily loses interest in counting by sevens and gardening. Did you find this depiction of grief relatable?

Personal Reflection and Connection

Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes. 1. How does the representation of characters of diverse ethnic backgrounds contribute to the overall theme of what constitutes a family? What role does the novel carve out for families in modern societies? 2. In what ways does the novel address socioeconomic differences and privilege through Willow’s observations of unhoused people, as well as through her own sudden displacement? 3. The educational system in the novel seems ill-equipped to handle students like Willow, similar to how schools struggle in novels like R. J. Palacio’s <a href="https://www.supersummary.com/wonder/summary/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Wonder</a>. What does the portrayal of Sequoia Middle School reveal about how society treats those who don’t fit conventional expectations?

Societal and Cultural Context

Middle School

Coping with Death

Disability

Diverse Voices (Middle Grade)

Relationships

Family

Fiction with Strong Female Protagonists

Race & Ethnicity

Jewish American Literature

Genres

Juvenile Literature

Realistic Fiction (Middle Grade)

STEM/STEAM Reads

Holly Goldberg Sloan

Middle grade

Novel

Fiction

Guide

Study Guide

Before You Read

Explore Counting by 7s reviews, reading age recommendations, and essential genre and thematic details before you start reading.

Before You Read Counting by 7s | SuperSummary

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Overview

Get ready to explore Counting by 7s and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.

Counting by 7s Summary and Study Guide

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Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapters 1-11

Counting by 7s Chapters 1-11 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 12-21

Counting by 7s Chapters 12-21 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 22-30

Counting by 7s Chapters 22-30 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 31-45

Counting by 7s Chapters 31-45 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 46-53

Counting by 7s Chapters 46-53 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 54-61

Counting by 7s Chapters 54-61 Summary & Analysis

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Character Analysis

Counting by 7s Character Analysis

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Themes

Counting by 7s Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Counting by 7s Symbols & Motifs

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Important Quotes

Counting by 7s Important Quotes with Page Numbers

Vocabulary

Counting by 7s Vocabulary

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Essay Topics

Counting by 7s Essay Topics

Quiz

Counting by 7s Quiz

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Book Club Questions

Counting by 7s Book Club Questions

Counting by 7s

Book Club Questions

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