Summary:
Pictures of Hollis Woods is a heartwarming and poignant novel by Patricia Reilly Giff that tells the story of a young girl named Hollis Woods who has been in and out of foster homes her whole life. When she is placed with the Regans, an elderly couple, she finally begins to find a sense of belonging. However, when Hollis makes a mistake that threatens her newfound home, she must confront her past and learn to accept the love and support of those around her.

The Struggles of a Foster Child

Hollis Woods has never had a stable home. She has been passed from one foster family to another, never finding a place where she truly belongs. Throughout the book, the author explores the challenges faced by foster children, including the constant fear of abandonment and the longing for a sense of permanence and security. Hollis’s journey highlights the emotional toll that the foster care system can have on young individuals and the importance of finding a loving and supportive family.

A Special Bond with the Regans

When Hollis is placed with the Regans, an elderly couple who live in a secluded cabin in the woods, she begins to experience a sense of belonging she has never felt before. The Regans provide her with love, stability, and a safe space to call home. As Hollis helps Josie Regan, who is suffering from memory loss, she discovers the power of connection and the healing that can come from caring for others. The bond between Hollis and the Regans is heartwarming and demonstrates the transformative power of love and acceptance.

Confronting the Past

As Hollis starts to settle into her new life with the Regans, she becomes increasingly afraid of losing the only family she has ever truly loved. In an attempt to protect herself from potential heartbreak, she makes a decision that puts her future with the Regans in jeopardy. However, this mistake forces Hollis to confront her past and come to terms with the reasons she has struggled to find a permanent home. Through this journey of self-discovery, Hollis learns to forgive herself and accept the love and support of those around her.

• Hollis Woods’ journey highlights the challenges faced by foster children and the importance of finding a loving and supportive family.
• The bond between Hollis and the Regans demonstrates the transformative power of love and acceptance.
• Hollis’ mistake forces her to confront her past and learn to forgive herself.

“Sometimes you have to leave a place to see what’s really there.”

Pictures of Hollis Woods is a touching story that explores the struggles of a foster child and the power of love and acceptance. Through Hollis’s journey, readers are reminded of the importance of finding a place to call home and the healing that can come from confronting one’s past. This heartwarming novel serves as a reminder that everyone deserves a family and a place where they truly belong.