Editorial Content for Counting to D

Samantha is basically a math genius, which is why, after moving to a new high school, she is quickly adopted into a clique of the smartest seniors on campus. Her new friends are brutally competitive and fiercely disdainful towards anyone lacking in intelligence. Luckily, they’re impressed by Sam’s highly ambitious course load and knack for math. The only problem with this situation is that Sam can’t read; at least not well. She has dyslexia, a fact that she’s determined to hide from students at her new school.

Sam’s secret doesn’t remain intact for long, however. She soon finds that she will not be able to excel in her English class, let alone her Spanish class, without some serious help. As she opens up about her dyslexia, Sam makes friends with a surprising medley of her fellow students including Eli, a mathematically-challenged jock, Kaitlyn, a girly and fashion-oriented member of the popular crowd, and Nate, a brooding but thoughtful poet.

I found this book to be truly interesting; it gave a fresh and entertaining perspective on a learning disability that is often overlooked.

Naturally, before Sam can truly appreciate her fresh start, she must first confront her past. Why did her father, a famous artist, leave her behind forever? How can she reconnect with her workaholic mom? Why is doing complex mental math the best way for her to cope? Will she ever learn to read more efficiently? Pick up a copy COUNTING TO D to find out!

I found this book to be truly interesting; it gave a fresh and entertaining perspective on a learning disability that is often overlooked. Honestly, I had never really thought much about dyslexia and how challenging the lives of dyslexics could be prior to reading COUNTING TO D. I now realize that dyslexia affects so much more than a person’s ability to read a textbook or spell correctly; it can severely impair one’s self confidence, and make one feel wrongfully inadequate.

Another intriguing aspect of the book was the seemingly contradictory life that Sam was living. She was a prodigy at math but needed the help of a special education teacher to practice reading. This exhibits a very important lesson --- just because someone has a learning disability it doesn’t mean they aren’t intelligent.

That COUNTING TO D was humorous also added to its appeal. Although I learned about a serious learning disability while reading the book, I wasn’t at all bogged down by technical terms or hard-to-understand concepts. Despite its emphasis on dyslexia, the novel also dealt with a variety of other issues that teenagers experience, including the pressures of school, choosing loyal friends, dating, depression and relationships with one’s parents. Plus, COUNTING TO D was downright entertaining! The main character, Sam, was flawed yet lovable, as were all of the characters in the book, creating a realistic and dynamic setting and plot.  Ultimately, COUNTING TO D was about loving oneself despite any imperfections one might possess.

Any teen that enjoys a lighthearted yet meaningful novel would enjoy COUNTING TO D. I would especially recommend this book to anyone who has struggled with school or who has felt the pressure to “fit in” in a new environment.