Synopses & Reviews
Fans of E.B. White and Dick King-Smith will adore this heartwarming and funny animal adventure by the award-winning author of Counting by 7s
Mama has trained up her baby possums in the ways of their breed, and now its time for all of themeven little Appleblossomto make their way in the world. Appleblossom knows the rules: she must never be seen during the day, and she must avoid cars, humans, and the dreaded hairies (sometimes known as dogs). Even so, Appleblossom decides to spy on a human familyand accidentally falls down their chimney! The curious Appleblossom, her faithful brotherswho launch a hilarious rescue missionand even the little girl in the house have no idea how fascinating the big world can be. But they're about to find out!
With dynamic illustrations, a tight-knit family, and a glimpse at the world from a charming little marsupial's point of view, this cozy animal story is a perfect read-aloud and a classic in the making.
Review
Praise and Accolades for Counting by 7s:
* “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)
* “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)
* “Willow's story is one of renewal, and her journey of rebuilding the ties that unite people as a family will stay in readers' hearts long after the last page.”—School Library Journal (starred review)
* "A deeply original tale . . . Readers will rejoice." —BCCB (starred review)
New York Times Bestseller
E.B. White Read Aloud Award Honor
ALA Notable Book
YALSA Best Book for Young Adults
Booklist Best Fiction for Young Adults
Booklist Notable Children's Book
BCCB Blue Ribbon Book
School Library Journal Best Books of 2013
Horn Book Fanfare Title
NYPL 100 Books for Reading and Sharing
Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Young People
Teachers' Choices Reading List
Notable Children's Book in Language Arts
About the Author
Holly Goldberg Sloan was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan and spent her childhood living in Holland, Istanbul, Turkey, Washington DC, Berkeley, California and Eugene, Oregon. After graduating from Wellesley College and spending some time as an advertising copywriter, she began writing and directing family feature films, including Angels in the Outfield and Made in America. Counting by 7s, her first middle-grade novel, was a New York Times Bestseller. The mother of two sons, Holly lives with her husband in Santa Monica, California.