Why Is 'Counting By 7s' Considered A Middle-Grade Must-Read?

The lyrics of 'Counting Stars' by OneRepublic resonate with so many of us on different levels. It's like a journey through personal aspirations and the quest for happiness that goes beyond material possessions. The phrase 'I see this life like a swinging vine' suggests that life is unpredictable, with ups and downs that we just have to ride out. It captures that desire to break free from materialistic views, urging listeners to chase dreams even when the world feels heavy with expectations. When I hear 'I ain't never slowing down,' it makes me almost want to stand up and jump around! It feels like a celebration of perseverance, and I can totally relate. Life does throw some wild swings, and there are moments when you just have to keep pushing forward, no matter how tough things get. Plus, that line about 'counting stars' speaks to the importance of balancing the grind with appreciating the beauty around us. To me, it’s a reminder that true wealth lies in experiences, connections, and dreams—worth more than any dollar amount. This song ultimately encourages us to be brave enough to break free, make choices that align with our passions, and find joy in the little things. What a vibe!

Remixing a popular song like 'Counting Stars' by OneRepublic brings such a fresh twist to an already energetic track! Personally, I love how different artists can take the original and inject their own vibe into it. One remix that stands out to me is the Felix Jaehn remix. It takes the catchy chorus and adds a tropical house feel that makes you want to dance! The way it transforms the original's pop-rock essence into something more summery and light is just brilliant. Then there’s the remix by the DJ duo The Chainsmokers. They’re known for their signature style that blends elements of electronic and pop music. Their take on 'Counting Stars' balances the party atmosphere while maintaining the song's underlying motivational theme. I can totally imagine playing this at a summer festival, with everyone singing along to the chorus under the sun! Additionally, various YouTubers and independent producers have created their own versions that range from lo-fi chill beats to high-energy EDM mixes. It's fascinating to hear how each version can evoke different emotions or even serve different purposes—like studying or pumping yourself up for a workout. The remix culture allows us to experience familiar songs in such unique ways. Honestly, diving into those remixes has expanded my playlist significantly!

On slow mornings when the rug smells faintly of crayons and someone’s still in pajamas, I like to turn 'Ten in the Bed' into a tiny ritual of discovery. Start with the song and ten small toys or stuffed animals lined up on a blanket. I sing the verse once through and then pause to have the kids show me how many are left after one “rolls out.” That pause is gold: it’s where counting, hands-on subtraction, and prediction happen. After a few rounds, I ask different kids to be the counter, to place the toys on a ten-frame (or two five-frames) so they can see the pattern of “one less” each time. I vary the activity by using a dice or a spinner — sometimes two animals tumble out, and we practice saying “ten minus two equals eight” but in playful language: “Oh no, two tumbled! How many are still snuggling?” I also layer in movement: for older groups we count backwards from ten while doing jumping jacks, and for very young learners I let them press down a finger on a hand chart each verse. Beyond the counting itself, I tie it to drawing and emergent writing. Kids draw a bed and write numerals, or we make a class book called 'How Many Are Left?' with photos from our circle time. I watch for who can subitize on the ten-frame, who needs one-to-one correspondence practice, and who’s ready to write equations. It’s cozy, repeatable, and surprisingly revealing of a child’s number sense — plus no one minds singing the chorus again.

I recently went on a hunt for 'Counting on Grace' and found it pretty easily online. Amazon has both new and used copies, and you can often snag a good deal on the paperback version. If you prefer supporting local bookstores, check out Bookshop.org—they partner with indie shops and usually have it in stock. ThriftBooks is another great spot for affordable secondhand copies, and sometimes they even have rare editions. Libraries might carry it too if you just want to borrow. I love the feel of a physical book, but Kindle and Apple Books have digital versions if you're into e-readers. This book is such a hidden gem, so I hope you find it!

I've been a huge fan of historical fiction, and 'Counting on Grace' by Elizabeth Winthrop is one of those books that stuck with me. It’s a powerful story about child labor in the early 1900s, and I remember finishing it with a mix of emotions. I looked everywhere for a movie adaptation because the visuals would be stunning, but sadly, there isn’t one yet. The book’s vivid descriptions of the mill life and Grace’s struggles would translate so well to film. Maybe one day a director will pick it up—it’s got all the ingredients for a moving period drama. Until then, I’d recommend reading the book; it’s worth every page.

I remember reading 'Die kleine Raupe Nimmersatt' to my niece, and it’s incredible how something so simple can be so effective at teaching counting. The book doesn’t just throw numbers at kids—it weaves them into this adorable, hungry caterpillar’s journey. Every day, the caterpillar munches through a different amount of food, starting with one apple on Monday, two pears on Tuesday, and so on. The repetition is genius because it lets kids predict what comes next, reinforcing the sequence of numbers in a way that feels like a game. The bright, bold illustrations make it even more engaging—you can practically hear toddlers counting along with each page turn. What I love is how tactile the learning feels. Kids don’t just see the numbers; they connect them to real objects (even if those objects are whimsically large plums or slices of cake). By the time the caterpillar hits Saturday and devours a crazy mix of treats—one piece of chocolate cake, one ice cream cone, and so on—the counting feels like second nature. The holes in the pages where the caterpillar ‘eats’ through the food add this playful physicality that makes the abstract concept of numbers suddenly very concrete. It’s not just about memorizing; it’s about experiencing the rhythm of counting, bite by bite. The climax ties everything together beautifully. After all that counting, the caterpillar’s transformation into a butterfly feels like a reward for following along. It subtly teaches cause and effect too—each counted item led to this moment. I’ve seen kids flip back through the book just to count everything again, and that’s the magic of it. The story doesn’t lecture; it invites. And when a kid starts shouting ‘FIVE oranges!’ unprompted, you know the book’s done its job.

Counting Backwards' is this underrated gem that hooked me from the first chapter. The story revolves around three unforgettable characters who each carry their own emotional weight. First, there's Alex, this brooding artist with a past full of secrets—his sketches literally come to life, but at a cost. Then you have Mia, a runaway librarian who collects lost memories instead of books; her chapters feel like flipping through someone else's diary. The wildcard is Jax, a street performer with a pocket watch that counts backward whenever he lies. Their dynamics are messy and raw, especially when their abilities start intertwining in dangerous ways. What I love is how the author lets their flaws shine. Alex's arrogance isn't just glossed over; it ruins relationships. Mia's empathy becomes her Achilles' heel when she absorbs too much pain. And Jax? His humor masks a fear of his own truth. The book's climax forces them to confront how their gifts are also curses. It's one of those rare reads where the characters stick with you like old friends you can't fully figure out—I still catch myself wondering how they'd react to real-world problems.

'Counting by 7s' paints resilience as a quiet, organic force rooted in connection and curiosity. Willow Chance, the protagonist, isn’t some heroic figure shouting affirmations—she’s a kid who copes by burying herself in the rhythms of nature and numbers. When her world collapses, she doesn’t magically bounce back; she slowly rebuilds through small acts—planting a garden, bonding with unlikely friends, letting others care for her. The book shatters the myth that resilience means stoicism. Willow’s vulnerability is her strength; her willingness to ask for help becomes her lifeline. The supporting characters mirror this theme. Pattie, the nail salon owner, survives by stitching together a makeshift family. Mai and Quang-ha, despite their rough edges, show resilience through loyalty. Even Dell, the hapless counselor, grows by admitting his failures. The novel suggests resilience isn’t solitary—it’s a mosaic of imperfect people leaning on each other. Willow’s genius isn’t just her intellect but her ability to see patterns in chaos, turning grief into something that, if not healed, at least blooms anew.