Counting By 7s Analysis

In the book counting by 7s, by Holly Goldberg Sloan, one of the big themes is that everyone changes, for better or worse. This big theme is supported by the incredibly constant, lifelike character development. A part of this theme about everyone changing is that one person can have a big impact on others.
Dell, the middle school guidance counselor, changes a lot. His outlook on life and his motivations are much different by the end of the book. In the beginning, he is a total slob; he is unorganized, bossed around by stubborn high schoolers, and completely uncaring about the fact that he is out of shape. He is also a nervous guy, and panics whenever the spotlight is on him. Once, he tried working with the elderly: “On more than one occasion he was seen running from the activities room in a full-blown panic” (39). You can probably tell he is a bit less than an ideal guidance counselor. For instance, one time when Quang-ha (the younger brother of Willow’s friend Mai) was supposed to be having a guidance session, Dell left him with a coloring book and pencil; only to return at the end of the appointment after buying himself a cat. How irresponsible can one be? When Pattie (Quang-ha’s mom), Mai, Quang-ha move into his apartment, they find an astonishing amount of plastic cups in a huge pile in his kitchen. It takes Willow, Mai, and Pattie about a week to clean out his apartment! This demonstrates how much of a slob he is and how unqualified he seems to be as a guidance counselor. Near the end, he tries to get a hold of his life. For example, he decides that he
This is clear because there are a lot of characters that are changing, and Willow’s influence causes them to do so. The book helps us remember that we can have a big impact on the people around us, and that we can help others live better