Take a photo of a barcode or cover
gabs_myfullbookshelf's review
4.0
This review (and others) can be found on My Full Bookshelf Reviews
A free copy of this book was received from the publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
I wasn't sure what exactly I would be getting into when I started Counting to D. I'd never read about a book where the main character was dyslexic, (or if I did, I don't remember, in which case it must have not been very good) and I was a bit nervous. But I took a chance, and I was pleasantly surprised on how much I liked it.
First off, you can tell just by reading that the author knows a lot about dyslexia. I wasn't surprised at all when I learned that Ms. Scott has dyslexia, because the book really gets into Sam's struggles, and I don't know if someone who hadn't had experience with this could have captured it half as well.
Sam didn't have the voice of a stereotypical teenage girl. That's probably what I liked best about her. Yes, she goes through things that a lot of teenagers will relate too, even those that don't have dyslexia, but in YA lit there seems to be this bubbly, perky teenage voice that gets used a lot for female main characters, and that's not really how it is with Sam.
Also, like I mentioned before, Sam deals with stuff in addition to her dyslexia, like friend troubles and her father leaving. This succeeds in making the book even more believable, because a lot of teenagers understand what she's going through.
I love that the secondary characters had a lot of depth too. For example, Kaitlyn, one of Sam's friends, at first seems like that typical mean girl that shows up in pretty much every high school realistic fiction book ever printed, (okay, exaggeration...but most of the time, there's a character like that) but underneath we find out that she's a real person who just has some problems, and she and Sam end up being really great friends. Another example is Sam's crush Nate, who isn't the typical uber-hot jock. He's got issues of his own, he's emo...he's not the norm as far as crushes go, but I really liked his character.
Would I recommend this? Yep! Definitely. If you like realistic fiction, this is great. It deals with real issues, but it's also simply the story of a girl navigating her way through high school. I really enjoyed it.
A free copy of this book was received from the publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
I wasn't sure what exactly I would be getting into when I started Counting to D. I'd never read about a book where the main character was dyslexic, (or if I did, I don't remember, in which case it must have not been very good) and I was a bit nervous. But I took a chance, and I was pleasantly surprised on how much I liked it.
First off, you can tell just by reading that the author knows a lot about dyslexia. I wasn't surprised at all when I learned that Ms. Scott has dyslexia, because the book really gets into Sam's struggles, and I don't know if someone who hadn't had experience with this could have captured it half as well.
Sam didn't have the voice of a stereotypical teenage girl. That's probably what I liked best about her. Yes, she goes through things that a lot of teenagers will relate too, even those that don't have dyslexia, but in YA lit there seems to be this bubbly, perky teenage voice that gets used a lot for female main characters, and that's not really how it is with Sam.
Also, like I mentioned before, Sam deals with stuff in addition to her dyslexia, like friend troubles and her father leaving. This succeeds in making the book even more believable, because a lot of teenagers understand what she's going through.
I love that the secondary characters had a lot of depth too. For example, Kaitlyn, one of Sam's friends, at first seems like that typical mean girl that shows up in pretty much every high school realistic fiction book ever printed, (okay, exaggeration...but most of the time, there's a character like that) but underneath we find out that she's a real person who just has some problems, and she and Sam end up being really great friends. Another example is Sam's crush Nate, who isn't the typical uber-hot jock. He's got issues of his own, he's emo...he's not the norm as far as crushes go, but I really liked his character.
Would I recommend this? Yep! Definitely. If you like realistic fiction, this is great. It deals with real issues, but it's also simply the story of a girl navigating her way through high school. I really enjoyed it.
paperbackd's review
4.0
Fifteen-year-old Samantha Wilson is a paradox by any normal American teenager’s standards: she’s the brainiest kid in her school… and she’s also illiterate. That’s what it means to be dyslexic and a maths genius. But Sam’s had enough of not fitting in. When she and her mother move to a new city, Sam decides to hide her illiteracy from her classmates.
Counting to D is a refreshingly original novel for young teens which offers an invaluable life message: to look beyond the labels we brand ourselves with. Scott encourages her reader not just to re-imagine disability, but also to look past even the most mundane high school stereotypes: the mean popular girl, the dumb jock, the brainiac nerd. Scott’s main cast of characters weren’t all likeable but they were all complex regardless of their social standing, or personal skills and setbacks.
Counting to D isn’t subtle in delivering its message, and the exposition occasionally feels forced. As a European reader, some parts of the story also went over my head - I don’t know much about the American schooling system, and Sam is understandably focused on her grades and her classes - but the story itself is a quick, compelling read and the subject matter makes it perfect for reluctant readers.
The real strength of the novel is its protagonist, Samantha Wilson. As a dyslexic author, Scott clearly understands how important disability representation is, and how to write Sam and her disability with care and respect. Sam is a dyslexic maths genius, but she never becomes the inspirational poster child of so many other stories which feature disabled characters. The story focuses entirely on her - her struggles, her strengths, and her journey towards self-acceptance. The narrative touches upon dyslexia, autism, and attention deficit disorder, all of which are explained for readers unfamiliar with them, and never once does Scott fall back on harmful stereotypes or tropes. I would definitely recommend Counting to D for American young readers.
Many thanks to MindBuck Media for providing a copy of Counting to D in exchange for an honest review.
Publisher: EB Elliott Books
Rating: 4 stars | ★★★★✰
Review cross-posted to Paperback'd
Counting to D is a refreshingly original novel for young teens which offers an invaluable life message: to look beyond the labels we brand ourselves with. Scott encourages her reader not just to re-imagine disability, but also to look past even the most mundane high school stereotypes: the mean popular girl, the dumb jock, the brainiac nerd. Scott’s main cast of characters weren’t all likeable but they were all complex regardless of their social standing, or personal skills and setbacks.
Counting to D isn’t subtle in delivering its message, and the exposition occasionally feels forced. As a European reader, some parts of the story also went over my head - I don’t know much about the American schooling system, and Sam is understandably focused on her grades and her classes - but the story itself is a quick, compelling read and the subject matter makes it perfect for reluctant readers.
The real strength of the novel is its protagonist, Samantha Wilson. As a dyslexic author, Scott clearly understands how important disability representation is, and how to write Sam and her disability with care and respect. Sam is a dyslexic maths genius, but she never becomes the inspirational poster child of so many other stories which feature disabled characters. The story focuses entirely on her - her struggles, her strengths, and her journey towards self-acceptance. The narrative touches upon dyslexia, autism, and attention deficit disorder, all of which are explained for readers unfamiliar with them, and never once does Scott fall back on harmful stereotypes or tropes. I would definitely recommend Counting to D for American young readers.
Many thanks to MindBuck Media for providing a copy of Counting to D in exchange for an honest review.
Publisher: EB Elliott Books
Rating: 4 stars | ★★★★✰
Review cross-posted to Paperback'd
hayley_mariep's review
2.0
I didn't love this book. I found it very forgettable, I didn't feel anything for any of the characters, they all seemed quite two dimensional to me. I had to force my way through it sadly.
I recieved this book in exchange for a review. My opinion is in no way affected by the author or publisher.
I recieved this book in exchange for a review. My opinion is in no way affected by the author or publisher.
missriki's review
3.0
This was a charming book. Sam is a delightful whiz kid who excels in mathematics and uses her attachment to numbers as a coping mechanism when life throws her a curve. The kids at school don’t know quite what to think of this girl who smokes them in every class yet cannot read. As she tries to fit in with her new group of friends she experiences a little bit of every reaction, from awe and amazement to outright jealousy. Soon she finds that there is more to excelling in school than being good at coursework as she is accepted into a small group of unlikely friends. Even after being relegated to the Special Ed class Sam finds joy in her surroundings and learns to make the best of her situation.
There is a sweet romance in the book that unfolds gradually and charmed the socks off of me. Nate is a wonderful love interest for Sam and I loved how even though he is obviously attracted to Sam physically, he loves her more for her intelligence. They are intellectual equals and that is the best basis for romance. Their relationship grows serious throughout the book, but still stays light.
Some of the lines in COUNTING TO D are laugh out loud funny. The exchanges between Sam and the Brain Trust are great with a lighthearted banter. For example:
Miles : “Are you a real girl or only a pretend girl like Lissa?”
Sam : "I have a uterus. Is that real enough?"
COUNTING TO D is a delightful book about growing up and finding your place in a world that doesn’t always seem fair. Sam proves that it’s okay to be different and that nurturing your own true talents and strengths produces great rewards.
There is a sweet romance in the book that unfolds gradually and charmed the socks off of me. Nate is a wonderful love interest for Sam and I loved how even though he is obviously attracted to Sam physically, he loves her more for her intelligence. They are intellectual equals and that is the best basis for romance. Their relationship grows serious throughout the book, but still stays light.
Some of the lines in COUNTING TO D are laugh out loud funny. The exchanges between Sam and the Brain Trust are great with a lighthearted banter. For example:
Miles : “Are you a real girl or only a pretend girl like Lissa?”
Sam : "I have a uterus. Is that real enough?"
COUNTING TO D is a delightful book about growing up and finding your place in a world that doesn’t always seem fair. Sam proves that it’s okay to be different and that nurturing your own true talents and strengths produces great rewards.
lpcoolgirl's review
5.0
This was a really great book, and I really enjoyed reading about her life! It was great to read!
ginafly's review
5.0
An empathetic read full of insights into the inner lives of "smart kids" and "challenged kids" alike. Recommended for kids, parents, and educators.
ewoo670's review
4.0
This charming novel covered the journey of an extremely intelligent but also severely dyslexic girl as she transfers to a new school and is thrown out of her comfort zone. Written by a dyslexic author, this novel gave me new insight to the life and coping mechanisms of dyslexic teens, and was enjoyable to read.
3.5/5 stars
3.5/5 stars
marcia_94's review against another edition
5.0
Awesome!
This book was great and it helped me understand dyslexia a lot more. Prior to reading I didn't know much about this condition but now I've got a better idea of what dyslexia is and how people can deal with it in a way that makes their lives easier and not feeling marginalised. Loved the story and I wish there was a sequel! I'd really like to know what happens to Sam and Nate.
Overall I think this is a great book for both dyslexic people and those who have a relationship with a person with reading issues.
Also, I'd like to congratulate the author for writing such an amazing story being dyslexic herself.
This book was great and it helped me understand dyslexia a lot more. Prior to reading I didn't know much about this condition but now I've got a better idea of what dyslexia is and how people can deal with it in a way that makes their lives easier and not feeling marginalised. Loved the story and I wish there was a sequel! I'd really like to know what happens to Sam and Nate.
Overall I think this is a great book for both dyslexic people and those who have a relationship with a person with reading issues.
Also, I'd like to congratulate the author for writing such an amazing story being dyslexic herself.