Ask students to examine the ethical nature of a character’s actions and choices in Counting by 7s. Have them set up a “report card” using a chart and include the following eight categories: respect, responsibility, cooperation, caring,
integrity, self-control, honesty, and effort. In addition, include a teacher’s comments section. In each category, give
the character a letter grade that you believe he/she deserves based on actions and choices made in the book. In
“comments,” use two specific pieces of evidence from the novel to explain/support the grade.

H”A graceful, meaningful tale featuring a cast of charming, well-rounded characters who learn sweet—but never cloying—

lessons about resourcefulness, community, and true resilience in the face of loss.”—Booklist, starred review

H”What sets this novel apart from the average orphan-finds-a-home book is its lack of sentimentality, its truly multicultural

cast (Willow describes herself as a ‘person of color’; Mai and Quang-ha are of mixed Vietnamese, African American, and

Mexican ancestry), and its tone. . . . Poignant.”—The Horn Book, starred review

H”Willow’s story is one of renewal, and her journey of rebuilding the ties that unite people as a family will stay in readers’