Book Review: Counting by 7s

With all the driving this summer, I had the chance to listen to several books on CD. One of them was a middle school book, Counting by 7s.

The main character, Willow Chance, is a 12-year-old genius who is obsessed with plants and medical conditions. This makes her stand out as somewhat of a freak. In fact, her parents try to give her a new start by sending her to a middle school where she would interact with all new students. When the students are given the state proficiency test, Willow not only finishes it in 17 minutes, but has a perfect score. She is labeled as cheater and sent to counseling with Dell Duke, an inept but well meaning person. During her sessions she crosses paths with a Vietnamese brother and sister and impresses the girl, Mai, by speaking Vietnamese with her, just one of the languages Willow has taught herself.

When both of Willow’s parents are killed in an accident, Mai claims Willow as an old family friend and takes her to the garage they call home across from her mother’s nail salon.  And this begins an  unusual journey that brings unlikely people together—Willow, an adopted African American 12-year-old;  Pattie, Quang-ha and Mai Nguyen, the Vietnamese family; Dell Duke, the counselor who classifies the students he counsels into groups named The Strange, Misfits, Oddballs, and Lone Wolves (but later has to create new categories as he gets to know Willow, Quang-ha and even himself better); and cab driver Jairo Hernandez.

Pattie moves her family from the garage to Dell Dukes apartment in order to make social services believe she has the ability to care for Willow. This brings about a series of changes that throws everyone’s life into upheaval at times.

But as Willow’s life intersects other's, people are changed, and although there’s not a happily-ever-after, there’s a good-enough ending for all of them.

There are some spots that are a bit contrived or where coincidence played too much a part, and there are some parts of Willow’s grief that may not be too realistic, but it’s a good read nonetheless, and a change from the ever popular fantasy or dystopian genre.

The story is told in narrative from each person’s point of view from Pattie to Quang-ha, Mai, Dell,to Jairo, and Willow. It is a bit confusing to be jumping from head to head, but perhaps this is something that is easier to follow in the book than on CD. It’s an unusual style, but it works for this story.

This book is a secular book and has no Christian content about dealing with grief or the hope of Heaven. 

If you know of Christian books in which the main character faces the loss of someone close to him/her, please share it in the comments section below.

Interview with Jean Ann Williams

Trailer for Just Claire

About Just Claire

How did you choose the title? My main character no longer likes anyone calling her by her full name, ClaireLee. She told her dad, “Call me just Claire.”

How would you describe the book to someone in a text message? One daughter determined to find her place.

Who is your main character and what problem does she face? ClaireLee must take charge of her siblings after her mother becomes ill after childbirth. As a result, ClaireLee loses her freedom as well as her identity in the family.

What might draw someone to your character? ClaireLee is a down-to-earth, feisty teen who struggles over circumstances out of her control.

What prompted you to write this book? My own mother suffered from depression. When I was a younger teen, I longed to read a story similar to my life.

What did you bring to the book from your own life? What it feels like to wake up one day and find your mother has become emotionally cut off from you and your family. Therefore, my mother was unable to discuss the basic issues about life.

What makes your book stand out from other books like it? My book is not only clean, but reviewers are calling it inspirational. And it does have a hopeful ending.

What is one thing you learned from writing this book? I was able to forgive my own mother for the times she acted out in bad behavior. Also, I learned how to write a novel with this book.

About You

When you were young, what did you want to be when you grew up? A horse jockey, because I love horses and like to feel the wind in my face.

Do you still want to be that? J No, but for three decades, I rode a Harley Davidson motorcycle with my husband and enjoyed the wind in my face.

When did you know you wanted to be an author? When I was a teen writing poetry.

Did anything unusual happen on your journey to becoming an author? Yes, my son died by suicide halfway through finishing Just Claire. I lost my creativity to write anything new for years, but I could work on Just Claire. I guess Claire helped me through the first stages of the grieving process.

What books have influenced you most? Oh, I’d say the Nancy Drew mystery series, Elizabeth Barrett Browning poems, especially “How Do I Love Thee?” and The Little House books by Laura Ingalls Wilder.

What book have you read the most times and why? I read Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder about twelve times. First I read and reread it myself and then I read it several times to my children. After my children grew up, I read it again to myself more than once, because the simplistic life of Laura’s helped me during difficult times.

What are three unusual things about you your readers might not know?

•  I bow hunt big game 
• I milk a goat (she produces one gallon daily)
• I have a few chickens who like hugs. So, I hug them. J

What’s the most adventurous thing you’ve ever done? Climbed a rock cliff which became slippery at the halfway mark, and I got stuck. I couldn’t go down because I discovered my fear of heights on this day, and I became dizzy. I prayed, then, and waited. As my eyes wandered upward, I spotted tuffs of grass within reach. I yanked on a bunch of blades. It held. I grabbed hold of the clumps and, like grab holds to a ladder, those clumps got me to the top. I didn’t plan this adventure, and God’s creation assisted me to safety.

Do you have life philosophy? Yes, never, ever give up on a task you believe God has called you to do. It took eighteen years before I finished Just Claire, and it published at the twenty year mark.

Favorite verse? Without a doubt it’s Philippians 4:13, I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneths me.

What advice would you give a teen who wants to be a writer? Read how-to books on the craft of writing. While doing this, read, read, read great writing with great stories and write, write, write your own.

Jean Ann Williams, the oldest in a large family, enjoys digging into her fascinating childhood to create stories for children. Having written over 100 articles for children and adults, Just Claire is Jean Ann's first book and draws from some of her personal experiences to add a touch of authenticity to the story.

Jean Ann lives with her husband and an assortment of goats and chickens in Southern Oregon where she enjoys hiking through the woods and practicing archery.

From the 40 foot line

You can connect with the author on facebook Here

Or read her blog Here

Red, Green and Blue

Five words of a Christmas song keep going through my mind... "all is cheery and bright," and I wonder, what if for some people all isn't cheery and bright during this holiday season? Because, here's the thing, people have made Christmas into a big month long celebration complete with social gatherings, fattening food and gifts that can break your budget. The high expectations come with a lot of stress and pressure to be happy and engaged in all the activities.

For some people Christmas isn't red and green, it's blue.

But what if instead of red and green, things in your world are blue? No, not really blue, but you have a case of the blues. Or even depression, whether caused by the holidays or not. So while everyone else is having fun hanging out, shopping, and going to movies and parties, you're miserable and just want the season to be over so life can go back to normal. Know what? You're not alone.

If you have true depression, that's a medical condition. It's not you feeling sorry for yourself, and it's not in your mind. It doesn't mean you're not a good Christian or failing to trust God. You need to see a doctor to get help. There's nothing at all wrong with getting help or taking medicine. After all, God gave those doctors the brains to diagnose you and prescribe medicine. 

Depression is very real. It often needs medical treatment.

If you're just having a case of the blues, there are things you can do to make it better.

• Be realistic about the holidays. You may not have a storybook Christmas. Don't compare your Christmas to anyone else's. The day might not be magical. If your family doesn't get along during the rest of the year, chances are they aren't going to get along at Christmas either. Adding the stress of having too much to do and spending too much money along with feeling like you have to be happy and family situations can get ugly.  So if you're expecting miracles, you might be facing failed expectations. Not that God can't work a miracle in your family, but that takes willing hearts.
  
• Don't wear a mask. You might be at a party and all your friends are having a blast. You'd rather be at home watching TV. You're surrounded by people, yet you are lonelier than when you're actually alone. Be real about your feelings--maybe not during the party itself, but later when you have a chance to talk. Your true friends will get it. Make sure you have your support people in place. There's a story in the Bible about a crippled man who wanted to see Jesus. He couldn't get there on his own, so four friends each took a corner of his mat and carried him. Who has your corners? Avoid people and places that get you down. Stay away from negative influences. Ask for help if you need it. You might even want to join a support group. They let you share your feelings and know you aren't alone.
  
• Don't sweat the little stuff or let the stuff you can't control get you down. You can't make the weather cooperate with your plans, and you can't control other people's actions or reactions. But you can follow the same routines you always do, and you can take care of yourself. A lack of sleep, exercise and good nutrition will just make things worse. You may not feel like doing anything, but exercise will help reduce stress, so skate, bike, run or go to the gym. The weather has been warm enough this year to be outside more than normal.
  
• Grieve your losses. That might include a break up, a fight with a friend, the loss of a pet, the loss of a family member through death or divorce, the loss of a job or anything that was important to you. There is no timeline for grieving, so find a way to deal with the feelings whether it's been a few days or a few years.
  
• Some people suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder, a mood disorder that happens around the same time of year. Some people blame it on less sun while others have different explanations. If you find yourself feeling down every winter, you might want to do some research into it to find a solution that works for you.
  
• Focus on what's important. You know the Christmas story. The babe in a manger came to save the world and offer eternal life. That's what it's all about. Find a Bible and read the gospels--Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. They are Jesus' story. And his story makes a difference.
  
• Plan something for after the holidays. Some people who don't have the holiday blues suffer from post holiday blues. Either way, plan an activity or fun outing for after the season is over. Or set some goals. Learn to swim. Read a series of books. (Look back to the post about the 100 best teen books.) Learn American Sign Language. Join a club.   

Holiday blues and holiday depression are real. If you are suffering, talk to someone. If you're not, be sensitive to the feelings of those around you who might be. Find your own way to make this season cheery and bright.

What things give you joy during the holidays? Share your thoughts in the comment section.

Learn more:
Seasonal Affective Disorder
Preventing Holiday Depression
Myths and Facts About Depression
Teenage Depression

When All is Not Cheery and Bright

I saw this cartoon, and it hit me that in this holiday season when all is supposed to be cheery and bright, there are a lot of people who aren't looking forward to the season and who hope to just make it through. Depression can seem worse during times when we are expected to be festive, and the holidays may hold a depression of their own. I'll be talking more about that in an upcoming post.

The cartoon says "One awesome thing about Eeyore," but I think it really should say "One awesome thing about Eeyore's friends"