It is a collection of eighteen semi-autobiographical stories from Almond's childhood in North East England.

A Booktrust review of Counting Stars wrote "This evocative collection of short stories gives a clear insight into the experiences which lie behind David Almond's novels..".

[1] A starred review by Publishers Weekly called it an "evocative collection of autobiographical vignettes",[2] and Kirkus Reviews concluded "Some of his experiences are shocking, some uplifting, obliquely amusing, even magical; this is not light or easy reading, but few who tackle it will come away unmoved.

"[3] Booklist wrote "As with his other books, some of Almond's best writing combines the fragile and the grotesque, especially in the exquisite stories about the coming of the circus and the carnival.

"[4] and the School Library Journal although finding "The chronological and cultural gap that separates Almond's youth from that of modern children is so palpable in these stories that many readers will feel overwhelmed and perhaps even discouraged."