Author: Patricia Reilly GiffGenre: Fiction
Awards: Newbery Honor Book
Grade Level: 4th - 6th
Hollis Woods has had it tough ever since she was born; she was abandoned as a baby with only a note saying, "call her Hollis Woods." Hollis is very talented in her art, however this does not satisfy her. Hollis is just a lonely child wanting to belong to a family; her wish. Hollis is in the foster care system, and contentiously runs away from the families she is placed with. Hollis has the Regan family and spends a lot of her time with Josie, who has dementia. Hollis runs away from the Regan family when a horrible accident occurs. Time after time, Hollis is loved. When Hollis finally decides to be loved, she gets a family of her own; Hollis now has a mother, a father, a brother, and two sisters. Hollis has 14 pictures throughout her time that demonstrate and reflect how she feels, who is important to her, and what is significant in her life. The last picture is of Hollis and her new family.
This book is a great read for students who are interested in drama, and is realistic. The emotions and feelings Hollis feel are very true, and reflect what other foster children are possibly going through. I think children who are struggling or simply interested can relate to this book. I would not use this book in my classroom because it is not age appropriate. Students could use this book to complete a book report, or become familiar with plot, setting, characters, and other elements of a book.
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