Counting by 7's, Holly Goldberg Sloan. A wonderful story of Willow Chance and her search for a new home, after her parents are killed in a car accident. She is on her way home after getting ice cream with her school counselor, Dell Duke, her new found friend, Mai and Mai's older brother, Quang-ha when they notice emergency vehicles in her driveway. Willow's world is immediately shattered.

Upon receiving the only perfect test score on the school state test, her teacher assumed she cheated and refers her to the school counselor, Dell Duke. Willow is actually a genius, but her interest in the natural world and counting by sevens comes to an abrupt halt after the death of her parents. Pattie, Mai and Quang-ha Nguyen, allow her to stay with them temporarily. Quang-ha finds her a nuisance, but Pattie and Mae warm to her instantly, as does Dell. Each character, including Jairo, the taxi driver, rally around Willow, forming a quirky and unconventional, family relationship. The day finally arrives; however, when Lenora Cole, the social worker, calls to tell her she has a court date for her to be placed with a foster family. The ending will delight readers, leaving warm fuzzies through and through.