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hxlia's review
4.0
I read this book to teach it in an English as a foreign language class. My gosh, every school should put this book in their curriculum. I read most of this book in cafes, and I shamelessly cried in public as I read. Such a sweet little book to read for the winter holidays. I can’t wait to teach the rest of the book. I’m going to try my hardest to help my students understand the story enough to enjoy it as much as it did.
opheliabedilia's review
4.0
My ten year old and I read this together (actually we listened to the first two thirds on audiobook and read the last third), and we both really enjoyed it. This is one of the children's books that assumes the children reading are intelligent, and can understand some more complicated literary devices. The voice is unique and the story is woven around pictures that the narrator, a gifted artist, has drawn. It's a lovely book, and my only criticism is that the ending ties up a little too neatly and story book happily. I'm giving it my rating of four stars, but my daughter says she'd give it ten stars, and that it's one of the best she's ever read.
feliciar33ds's review
3.0
"Maybe we'd be luckier this time."
Touching. Well-written and good for its genre. Read it in a few hours.
Touching. Well-written and good for its genre. Read it in a few hours.
adriagoetz's review
4.0
This was a quick, beautiful read. Patricia Reilly Giff employs a strong sense of imagery and a stronger sense of tone all throughout, which is appropriate within the context of the story: a young girl, Hollis Woods, who is being weaved in and out of homes within the foster system. Foster kids are always seeing new things: new homes, new people, new things; it makes sense that the narrative is rich with imagery and carries a melancholy tone. The story is an interesting look into the foster care system, and I would love to ask someone who has been through the system, or perhaps a case manager, what they think of the story. I particularly appreciated that the reader hears all of the awful things said about Hollis Woods: that she's a mountain of trouble and as fresh as paint... but then when you observe Hollis' actions and words, you realize that she's really not. She's sweet. She's good. She skips school every once in a while and runs away, but she's not a punk. She just never feels like she belongs.
scribesprite's review
5.0
This book is geared towards pre-teens and its a good short read for them but you don't necessarily have to be an adolescent to enjoy it. The concept of a family is given a whole new light. Hollis is a very unique character, undeniably one of a kind.
lumos_libros's review
5.0
When I finished reading this book I actually gave a little yell of happiness. I knew there was a good reason why I wanted to re-read this book. I had read it a couple years back and wanted to know for sure why I had liked it so much the first time around.
The book touches on what is most important in life and we are shown this by a girl named Hollis Woods. (btw I thought the name was pretty unique) Hollis has been toted around from foster home to foster home. She is good at running away and pushing people away. Things change though when she is given to the Regans for one summer.
I totally fell in love with the Regans. They are so perfect for Hollis. Steven (the son of the Regans) is the epitome of what a brother should and could be.
The book is set up between the time she spends with Josie (her newest foster parent, and a rich character in the story), and the time she spent that summer with the Regans. There is a huge event that happens during that summer which is witheld from the reader, but slowly but surely it is revealed to us. I was still anticipating what would happen to Hollis even though I already knew what happened. An extremely talented author can do that.
Hollis's drawings came to life to me and I could actually see in my mind how real her art was. I was also glad that they mentioned food a lot in the book. Too many books leave that important part of life out. I genuinely was happy for Hollis like she was a real person, but then I thought to myself that is what makes this story so grand; Hollis could be a real little girl and this could actually happen for her.
Even though this book is only 160 odd pages it packs a big punch. The author waste no words and gets the message across clearly that we all just want to belong.
The book touches on what is most important in life and we are shown this by a girl named Hollis Woods. (btw I thought the name was pretty unique) Hollis has been toted around from foster home to foster home. She is good at running away and pushing people away. Things change though when she is given to the Regans for one summer.
I totally fell in love with the Regans. They are so perfect for Hollis. Steven (the son of the Regans) is the epitome of what a brother should and could be.
The book is set up between the time she spends with Josie (her newest foster parent, and a rich character in the story), and the time she spent that summer with the Regans. There is a huge event that happens during that summer which is witheld from the reader, but slowly but surely it is revealed to us. I was still anticipating what would happen to Hollis even though I already knew what happened. An extremely talented author can do that.
Hollis's drawings came to life to me and I could actually see in my mind how real her art was. I was also glad that they mentioned food a lot in the book. Too many books leave that important part of life out. I genuinely was happy for Hollis like she was a real person, but then I thought to myself that is what makes this story so grand; Hollis could be a real little girl and this could actually happen for her.
Even though this book is only 160 odd pages it packs a big punch. The author waste no words and gets the message across clearly that we all just want to belong.
gkneveu's review
2.0
I am really surprised that this is a Newbery Honor book and that it has such high ratings and good reviews. To begin with the writing is sub-par with some very awkward moments that make me feel as if there was little editing. Most of all, though, was the fact that it seemed to be written by someone who had done absolutely no research into the foster care system. Now, I'm not going to claim that I'm an expert, but I'm at least aware enough to recognize all the inconsistencies throughout this book.
Now, I realize that this is a children's book, but there really could have been more back story to Hollis. The way it is, we don't get to see what drives her feelings and actions, they just are. Children's books can still be honest without being too much for a kid and this book just isn't honest. Hollis is a foster kid yet her past experiences in the system aren't even hinted at. We know she's run away from half a dozen homes but no reason is given besides "I got sick of them and they got sick of me." I just see the author as being cowardly for not taking the story further, for not putting more into the character. This book is supposed to be an award winner, yet it does nothing brave or new and does not push any boundaries. It's totally safe and predictable.
Speaking of predictable, this is another issue I had with the book. Within the first few pages (literally), I had already predicted the rest of the book. Again, just because it's a children's book doesn't mean it can get away with being unsophisticated. Had I read this when I was younger I'm sure I would have felt patronized. Absolutely nothing surprised me about the book. Even the parts that were supposed to be mysterious and drive the plot forward were painfully obvious.
Coming to the end, the entire last fourth or so of the book was far too contrived. It went from being unrealistic to completely unbelievable. None of the characters' actions made sense and I was left rolling my eyes at the events that lead up to the perfect ending wrapped in a little bow.
If your looking for a book about a girl in foster care I would go with [b:The Great Gilly Hopkins|163465|The Great Gilly Hopkins|Katherine Paterson|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1443418961l/163465._SY75_.jpg|1258731].
Now, I realize that this is a children's book, but there really could have been more back story to Hollis. The way it is, we don't get to see what drives her feelings and actions, they just are. Children's books can still be honest without being too much for a kid and this book just isn't honest. Hollis is a foster kid yet her past experiences in the system aren't even hinted at. We know she's run away from half a dozen homes but no reason is given besides "I got sick of them and they got sick of me." I just see the author as being cowardly for not taking the story further, for not putting more into the character. This book is supposed to be an award winner, yet it does nothing brave or new and does not push any boundaries. It's totally safe and predictable.
Speaking of predictable, this is another issue I had with the book. Within the first few pages (literally), I had already predicted the rest of the book. Again, just because it's a children's book doesn't mean it can get away with being unsophisticated. Had I read this when I was younger I'm sure I would have felt patronized. Absolutely nothing surprised me about the book. Even the parts that were supposed to be mysterious and drive the plot forward were painfully obvious.
Coming to the end, the entire last fourth or so of the book was far too contrived. It went from being unrealistic to completely unbelievable. None of the characters' actions made sense and I was left rolling my eyes at the events that lead up to the perfect ending wrapped in a little bow.
If your looking for a book about a girl in foster care I would go with [b:The Great Gilly Hopkins|163465|The Great Gilly Hopkins|Katherine Paterson|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1443418961l/163465._SY75_.jpg|1258731].
blaise_44's review
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
nyo's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5