This year I read Counting by 7's by Holly Goldenberg Sloan. This book is realistic fiction because Willow's, the main character, parents die in a car accident, which can happen, and does happen at anytime, anyplace. Willow's guidance counselor drives her home from school, along with her friend Mai. When she pulls up to her house, she notices a police car sitting in her driveway, which made her nervous. The policeman question her guidance counselor, and what his relationship between them are. They take him aside, and Willow overhears their conversation. She hears the word "accident" and right then she knows, her parents are gone, and everything just starts to fade away. Willow wants to live with her friend, Mai, but she must get adopted, since she is under the age of 18. While they are in the process of adopting her, she stayed with them anyway. In the end, Mai and her family finally get the adoption rights, and they take Willow in, and they are finally a family.

         In my opinion, Counting by 7's  by far, the best book I've read this year. My reasonings are as followed. It is very relatable to kids that have lost their parents due to car accidents, or people that live without their parents. I like the choice of vocabulary because it's no to hard, but it's not to easy. Lastly, I like the plot that is given because it is things that I am actually interested in. In conclusion, I would recommend this book to anyone that is willing to keep reading, because it will definitely make you want to keep turning to the next page. The readers would also probably range from ages 11-13.

                                                                                                                                

Alyssa Binczak

Ms. Spicer

Periods 8/9