COUNTING WOLVES

COUNTING WOLVES

By Michael F. Stewart

The Publish House

Published: Aug 14, 2017

COUNTING WOLVES description from  Goodreads.

I think Goodreads describes this book perfectly, “The Breakfast Club meets Grimm's Fairy Tales in the lair of an adolescent psych ward.”

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16…...59, 60, 61, 62, 63...95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100. The title, COUNTING WOLVES, is perfect for this book. I really can’t explain more without a spoiler, and I won’t do that. I do think you will agree with me after you have finished the book.

The characters have to be my favorite aspect of this book. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16…...59, 60, 61, 62, 63...95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100 in writing Milly, Stewart helps the reader feel her frustration by having the numbers 1-100 that she must count before each activity in the book. As the reader, you are ready to move on, but you must wait until she reaches 100. Your frustration rises as the counting continues again, again, again, and again. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16…...59, 60, 61, 62, 63...95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100 Each character is written in such detail, and they are so realistic. Yes, there is some adult topics and language but how can you realistically address life without the dialogue and actions being believable?  Not very many authors can pull off having so many mentally ill characters. They each have issues they need to overcome. I love how each character is a perfect stand-alone but works so much better in unison with one or more of the other characters. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16…...59, 60, 61, 62, 63...95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100  Each character contributes so much to the book. I found myself going through such a vast range of emotions. I believe I hit them all: pity, rage, sadness, joy, hatred, understanding, frustration… The character will find a special place in your heart-some at the bottom others right smack in the middle.

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16…...59, 60, 61, 62, 63...95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100 COUNTING WOLVES is another book that address mental health issues in young adults. There are so many issues addressed but each is handled with sensitivity and respect. I like how Stewart doesn’t just touch and go with some of the illnesses. He dives right in and exposes them for what they really are. I believe it will open some eyes as to what some young adults face. I think exposing young adults to situations like the ones covered in the book will help them understand mental illness and the people that suffer from them. It is time we stop sweeping mental illness under the rug!!

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16…...59, 60, 61, 62, 63...95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100 I believe that after you read COUNTING WOLVES you will be a changed person. I know I was! This book is now on my top books I have read list.