Counting by 7s Reading Comprehension Questions
by Holly Goldberg Sloan
Book Summary
The story is about Willow Chance, a very smart and unique girl who loves plants and the number 7. After a sudden tragedy, Willow is left alone. She finds an unexpected new family with her school counselor, a kind teenage girl named Mai, Mai's mother Pattie, and a friendly taxi driver. Together, they help Willow find a new home and a sense of belonging.
Reading Comprehension Questions
Use these 14 questions to check understanding and spark deeper thinking about Counting by 7s.
1.What did Willow Chance love to count by?
2.Who was Willow's school counselor?
3.Where did Willow first stay after her parents passed away?
4.What does it mean if Willow was a "unique" girl?
5.In the story, Willow was "obsessed" with the number 7. What does "obsessed" mean?
6.Pattie became Willow's "guardian." What is a guardian?
7.Why do you think Mai and Pattie invited Willow to stay with them?
8.How did Mr. Dell Duke change throughout the story because of Willow?
9.At the end of the story, why was it important for Willow to have a garden at her new home?
10.What is one main lesson the story "Counting by 7s" teaches us?
11.How does Willow show resilience in the story?
12.How can you tell that Willow started to feel more secure and happy by the end of the story?
13.If you were Willow, what would you miss most about your old life, and what would you be most excited about in your new life with Pattie and Mai?
14.The story shows that family can be people who are not related by blood. Who in your life makes you feel like family, even if they aren't your direct relatives?
Key Vocabulary
Important words from Counting by 7s to discuss with your child.
Discussion Prompts
Great conversation starters for parents and teachers reading Counting by 7s with children.
What was your favorite part of Counting by 7s? Why did it stand out to you?
If you could talk to any character from Counting by 7s, who would you choose and what would you ask them?
How did Counting by 7s make you feel? Can you describe a moment that surprised you?
Would you recommend Counting by 7s to a friend? What would you tell them about it?
What lesson or message do you think Holly Goldberg Sloan wanted young readers to learn from this story?
Frequently Asked Questions
What reading level is Counting by 7s?
Counting by 7s by Holly Goldberg Sloan is recommended for grades 2-4 readers with an AR level of 4.2. It's an excellent choice for building reading comprehension skills at this level.
What are good comprehension questions for Counting by 7s?
ReadBuddy provides 14 carefully crafted comprehension questions for Counting by 7s, covering literal comprehension, vocabulary, and inference skills. These questions help students engage deeply with the story.
How can I use Counting by 7s for reading practice?
Read the book together or independently, then use ReadBuddy's comprehension questions to check understanding. Focus on vocabulary words, discuss character motivations, and encourage your child to make connections to their own experiences.
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