Pictures of Hollis Woods facts for kids
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| Author | Patricia Reilly Giff |
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| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Realistic fiction |
| Publisher | [Random House Children's Books] |
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Publication date
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2002 |
| Media type | |
| Pages | 166 |
| ISBN | 9780440415787 |
Pictures of Hollis Woods is a heartwarming young adult novel written by Patricia Reilly Giff, published in 2002. This book tells the story of a young girl's journey to find a place where she truly belongs. It explores themes of family, belonging, and the power of art.
The novel was recognized with a Newbery Honor Award in 2003, which is a special award for excellent children's literature. Later, in 2007, the book was made into a television movie, bringing Hollis's story to life on screen.
Contents
Discovering Hollis Woods' Story
This section dives into the main events of the book, focusing on Hollis's adventures and challenges.
Hollis's Journey to Find a Home
The story follows Hollis Woods, a talented 12-year-old girl who loves to draw. Hollis is a foster child, which means she moves from one temporary family to another. She has been in many different homes, and each time she leaves, she feels a bit more alone.
Hollis carries a lot of memories, both good and bad, from her past experiences. She often expresses her feelings and memories through her drawings. These pictures are not just simple sketches; they are like a diary of her life, showing her hopes and fears.
Meeting Josie and the Regans
Hollis is placed with an elderly retired art teacher named Josie. Josie is kind and loving, and she quickly adores Hollis. Hollis feels a connection with Josie, but she also notices that Josie is becoming quite forgetful. This makes Hollis worry that the social agency will find out and move her again.
Hollis also remembers a special summer she spent with a family called the Regans. They were an "old man," Izzy, and Steven. The Regans truly wanted Hollis to be a part of their family, even though Hollis sometimes pushed them away because she was afraid of getting too close.
A New Plan and Old Memories
Fearing that she and Josie will be separated, Hollis decides to take matters into her own hands. She takes Josie to the Regans' old summer cabin. This bold move brings back many memories for Hollis, both happy and sad, about her time with the Regans.
As Hollis tries to take care of Josie and avoid being found by the agency, she also starts to understand more about what a real family means. She learns that sometimes, the hardest thing is to let people love you and to trust that you can find a place where you truly belong.
Main Characters in the Story
Here are the important people and even a special pet you'll meet in Pictures of Hollis Woods:
- Hollis Woods - The brave and artistic young foster girl who is looking for her forever home.
- The Regans - This family includes an "old man," Izzy, and Steven. They deeply care for Hollis and want her to be part of their lives.
- Josie - An older, kind-hearted retired art teacher who becomes Hollis's foster mother. She loves Hollis very much but struggles with memory issues.
- Beatrice - Josie's cousin and close friend. She is also a retired art teacher and now owns a movie theater, offering a creative space.
- Henry - Josie's beloved cat, who provides comfort and companionship.
- Steven - Hollis's older foster brother from her time with the Regans.
- Christina - Hollis's younger foster sister from her time with the Regans.
Awards and Recognition
Pictures of Hollis Woods has been honored for its wonderful storytelling:
- It was named a Newbery Medal Honor Book in 2003. This award is given to authors of the most distinguished contributions to American literature for children.
Bringing the Story to the Screen
The beloved book was adapted into a film for television:
- The Hallmark Hall of Fame movie Pictures of Hollis Woods first aired on CBS on December 2, 2007.
- It was directed by Tony Bill.
- The talented young actress Jodelle Ferland played the main character, Hollis Woods.
