Counting by 7s

Willow is a 12-year-old girl who was adopted by her mom and dad and who befriends Mai and her counselor Dell. Willow doesn’t know much about her background other than that she is a… read analysis of Willow Chance

Dell is the school counselor who gets assigned to Willow, Mai, and Quang-ha. He is in his mid-thirties and didn’t initially set out to become a counselor. When Willow meets him, Dell… read analysis of Dell Duke

Dung, who changed her name to Pattie after immigrating from Vietnam to the United States, is the biological mother of Mai and Quang-ha, and she soon also becomes a mother figure to Willow… read analysis of Dung/Pattie

Jairo is a taxi driver who randomly encounters Willow as one of his customers, which ends up changing the whole trajectory of his life. Initially, Willow saves him by pointing out a potentially cancerous mole… read analysis of Jairo

Quang-ha is Mai’s brother and Pattie’s son. He seems to dislike Willow at first, particularly after she comes to live with his family, but he soon reveals that he is not as disagreeable… read analysis of Quang-ha

Willow’s mom, Roberta Chance, struggled to get pregnant for many years before finally beginning the long process of adopting Willow. She both encouraged Willow’s interests while also trying to help her fit in with… read analysis of Mom

Willow’s dad, James Chance, came from a working-class background and tried for many years with Willow’s mom to have a child. Later, they turned to adoption. Like Willow’s mom, Willow’s dad encouraged her interests… read analysis of Dad

Lenore is a social worker who is assigned Willow’s case. She does things by the book and follows regulations even when it’s clear that they’re not in Willow’s best interest. Although Lenore at times… read analysis of Lenore

Sadhu becomes Dell’s roommate after Dell has to move out of his old apartment to make space for Willow, Pattie, Quang-ha, and Mai. He differs from Dell in many ways… read analysis of Sadhu