Pictures of Hollis Woods summary

The Journey of Hollis Woods

In Pictures of Hollis Woods by Patricia Reilly Giff, we follow the journey of Hollis Woods, a young girl who has been in the foster care system for most of her life. Hollis is an artist who expresses herself through her drawings and sees herself as a 'mountain goat' who doesn't belong in any family. She has been in countless foster homes, but she always finds a way to get herself kicked out, believing she is better off alone.

Her social worker, Regan, is determined to find a family that will suit Hollis, and she finally thinks she has found the perfect family for her - the Regans. The Regans are an elderly couple who live in the country and have a passion for art. Hollis is initially resistant to the idea of living with them, but she eventually agrees to give it a try.

A Summer of Happiness

At the Regans' home, Hollis finds a sense of belonging she has never experienced before. She forms a close bond with Josie, a retired art teacher, who encourages her artistic talents and offers her the love and stability she has always longed for. Hollis also develops a special relationship with Mr. Regan, who is kind and patient with her, despite her occasional outbursts and rebellious behavior.

The summer at the Regans' is filled with happiness and love, and Hollis creates many beautiful pictures of the time she spends with her new family. For the first time in her life, she feels like she has found a place she can call home. However, her happiness is short-lived as an unexpected event shatters her newfound sense of stability.

The Return to Reality

When Mr. Regan suffers a stroke, Josie is no longer able to care for Hollis, and she is sent back into the foster care system. Hollis is devastated and blames herself for the unfortunate turn of events. She is placed in a series of unsuitable foster homes, each worse than the last, and she becomes more determined to run away and live on her own.

During her time in the foster care system, Hollis carries with her the pictures she drew during her summer with the Regans, and they serve as a reminder of the happiness she once experienced. Despite her rebellious behavior, she forms a bond with a younger girl named Beatrice, who helps her see that running away is not the solution to her problems.

A New Beginning

As the story unfolds, we see Hollis' growth and her realization that she does, in fact, need a family. She begins to understand that her stubbornness and refusal to accept love and care are the very things that have kept her from finding a permanent home. Hollis comes to terms with her past and starts to open up to the idea of being part of a family.

Eventually, Hollis finds herself back at the Regans' home, where she is welcomed with open arms. The story ends with Hollis, now ready to embrace the love and care the Regans offer her. She finally accepts that she is not a 'mountain goat' but a girl who deserves to be loved and to have a place to call home.