Pictures of Hollis Woods by Patricia Reilly Giff
Audience: 9 and up
Rating: B
Synopsis:
Hollis Woods is tough. She has to be. She’s been bounced from one family to the next, living in six different houses before she turns 12. Mostly they’ve been awful, but there’s one family she loved and would have loved to belong to. Hollis tries not to think about that family; about how she messed everything up there and spoiled everyone’s chance at happiness. She’s with Josie now, and she loves her. But Josie’s older, and she’s forgetting things. It seems like Hollis may have to move again, but she’s so tired of leaving. Could running away be the way to stay together?
Chatter:
(Spoiler Alerts! ) Good suggestion, Brenna. I’ll admit it; I cheated when reading this book. About half way through, I started to worry that Steven had died in a truck crash on the Old Man’s mountain, so I started skipping ahead. I did read the whole book, just not in the right order. I read all of the conveniently italicized flashbacks first, then I went back and re-read the whole book. I just couldn’t concentrate on the plot with Josie until I knew how the other plot with the Regans would be resolved. Did anyone else do this?
I thought it was interesting that the author chose to tell the flashbacks through Hollis’s pictures. It was so easy to visualize her life through the vivid pictures she had drawn.
Hollis was an interesting and upsetting character. It’s hard to believe that a 12-year-old could feel that much responsibility for everything that happens around her. From Steven and the Old Man’s fights, to Josie’s well being, Hollis has believed when all the wrong people told her that she is trouble. It’s unfortunate that she wouldn’t believe Izzy, Steven, or the Old Man when they told her she wasn’t. I don’t believe that type of self-reproach disappears overnight, so it would have been interesting to read more about Hollis’s transition to the family.
Questions:
Since Hollis is so used to running away, do you think she’ll have a hard time settling down?
Which is your favorite of Hollis’s pictures?
Why do you think that Hollis fits in so well with the Regans when she struggled at the other homes?
Keep reading!
-Paige
Buy Pictures of Hollis Woods from Amazon
Brenna Says:
Why do you think that Hollis fits in so well with the Regans when she struggled at the other homes?
To answer your question, I think she fits in so well, because of Steven. Also, the mom always makes sure Hollis fits in.
Tom Says:
I just have to say that this book would have to be my all time favorite book, not so much for the story, which is great, but for the visual imagery. Giff does a phenomenal job of bring the eye of an artist to life in this wonderful novel. I also have to applaud the author for the way she creates mystery through the pictures that Hollis draws truly a brilliant novel.
To answer the picture question (which is a toughy, I might add) would have to be the one driving the truck because for me that is when Hollis begins to feel at home.
ishcaboobalaa Says:
ewwwwwwwwwwwww!!!!!!!
ishcaboobalaa Says:
this book was terrible if you are under the age of 1 million!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
Brenna Says:
I think that Hollis fits in so well with the Regans, because of the relationship of Steven and Hollis. Steven and Hollis would always get along, and appreciate each other for who they are. Steven thought that Hollis’s pictures made her unique, and different. Also, Hollis seemed that she was abused in the other homes, from being yelled out to not being allowed to have some freedom. But, with the Regans, they made her fit in, and feel as if they were always family. For example, at the end of the book the Regans were so glad to see Hollis safe and wanting to come back to them. Also, Hollis would always have visions of the fun times she had with the Regans, because the Regans made her have a fun, but relaxing time.
Who cares Says:
i strongly STRONGLY disliked this book. i couldnt even finish it!
SakuraGirl1997 Says:
I haven’t read this book yet? Is it good? Is it ok? Or is it boring?
SakuraGirl1997 Says:
I have to read this book for Middle School.