Thursday, August 28, 2014

Counting by 7s

Counting by 7s by Holly Goldberg Sloan

Summary: Twelve-year-old genius and outsider Willow Chance must figure out how to connect with other people and find a surrogate family for herself after her parents are killed in a car accident.

My Thoughts: This is a powerful story. I really felt for Willow. She is a genius and has difficulty fitting in with others and finding her way. All of this is compounded when her parents are tragically killed in a car accident.

*Summary taken from CIP data.

The Summer I Saved the World in 65 Days

The Summer I Saved the World in 65 Days by Michele Weber Hurwitz

Summary: Inspired by her late grandmother, thirteen-year-old Nina spends a summer secretly doing good deeds for her neighbors and enjoying the changes she brings about, even as she is dealing with changing friendships and family issues.

My Thoughts: This is a great feel good story for girls in middle school and approaching high school. It was satisfying to see how Nina's good deeds made a difference in her as well as those around her. At some points it was even comical with a busybody neighbor who demands that these events stop at one point!

*Summary taken from CIP data.