PICTURES OF HOLLIS WOODS
Based on the novel by Patricia Reilly Giff
Now a Hallmark Hall of Fame Presentation
Sunday, December 2, on CBS 9:00 pm ET/8:00 pm CT
Twelve-year-old Hollis Woods was abandoned as a baby, and has moved from one foster
home to another. Labeled “a mountain of trouble” by one caregiver, Hollis seems
determined to live up to the role. She runs away, skips school and appears emotionally
aloof in almost any new situation. Hollis is a gifted artist and manages to hide behind her
art, drawing and painting pictures of things that happen. When she is placed with the
Regan family for the summer, it appears that Hollis finally has a home. Then an accident
occurs, and Hollis runs away. Edna, the social worker, is running out of options for Hollis
and places her with Josie, a retired art teacher who is showing early signs of Alzheimer’s.
The two bond through their art, and when Hollis realizes that Edna is about to take her
away from Josie, she plans an escape. This time, she takes Josie with her and returns to
the summer cabin that belongs to the Regans – a place where she almost had a family.
Josie knows enough to realize that she can’t care for Hollis any longer and she wants to
go home. But, where does this leave Hollis?
CLASSROOM DISCUSSION
FAMILY – How might Hollis define family at the beginning of the film and at the end?
The Regan family is the first “traditional” family that Hollis has really known. Why is
she so confused by Steven’s relationship with his father? Discuss the various ways that
Izzy and John Regan attempt to bond with Hollis. How does Steven let Hollis know that
he wants her as his sister? Hollis climbs to the top of the mountain and shouts, “I have a
family.” What is the significance of the echo?
BELONGING – Discuss the connection between the need to belong and the need for
family. Debate whether Josie needs Hollis more than Hollis needs Josie. How does this
give Hollis a sense of belonging? How is the Regan cabin a symbol of belonging to
Hollis? After Hollis joins the Regan family, she begins signing her pictures Hollis
Woods Regan. Why does Hollis keep the name Woods as her middle name?
FRIENDSHIP – Why is Hollis so afraid of making friends? Steven becomes Hollis’
first real friend. What is Steven’s first gesture of friendship toward Hollis? Which scene
reveals that Hollis is breaking through her shell and accepting his friendship? Josie tells
Hollis about her friendship with Beatrice. What do Josie and Bea teach Hollis about
friendship? Friendship is about loyalty and trust. How is Beatrice loyal to Josie? How
does Josie trust Beatrice? At the end of the film, Hollis tells the Regans that she wants to
introduce them to her best friend, Josie. Discuss the moment in the film when it becomes
obvious that Hollis and Josie are becoming friends. How does Hollis remain loyal to
Josie after she goes to live with the Regans?
ABANDONMENT – Discuss the opening scene of the film. What is symbolic about the
sign “No Dumping?” Hollis is abandoned and in her mind that means homeless. How
does Steven’s statement about Hollis being their “summer kid” make Hollis feel more
“homeless”? Edna, the social worker, is going to remove Hollis from Josie’s home. Why
is Hollis so determined not to abandon Josie?
TRUST – Hollis has lived in so many different foster homes that she finds it difficult to
trust anyone. What does she learn about trust during the summer at the Regan home?
Hollis has been called a “mountain of trouble” by some of her foster caregivers. How are
the Regans and Josie willing to overlook Hollis’ past reputation and trust her?
TRUTH – Discuss the relationship between trust and truth. Debate whether Hollis takes
advantage of Josie’s dementia when she lies to her about school. Cite evidence that
Hollis doesn’t see the truth when it is staring her in the face. Which scene is Hollis’
moment of truth? What does Hollis’ journey teach her about trust and truth?
HOPE – Hollis’ life seemed hopeless until she spent the summer with Izzy, John and
Steven Regan. How does she find hope during that summer? The accident makes Hollis
feel that her life is once again hopeless. Explain what Hollis means when she says,
“adults are always hopeful about new beginnings.” Why does Edna call Hollis a coward?
She tells Hollis, “I know. If you don’t risk anything, you don’t lose.” Discuss how
taking a risk is a symbol of hope.
SELF-IDENTITY – What does Josie mean when she tells Hollis, “I wish you could see
yourself like I see you?” How does Hollis use art to reveal her sense of self?
INTERGENERATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS – Josie is a retired art teacher who still
maintains an art studio. Discuss how Josie and Hollis use art to communicate with one
another. At what point does Hollis begin to realize that Josie is suffering from some type
of dementia? Why is it easier for Hollis to help Josie with her memories than to think
about her own? How does Hollis try to protect Josie? What makes Josie realize that she
can’t take care of Hollis any longer? Why does it take Hollis running away with Josie for
Beatrice to realize Josie’s condition?
LANGUAGE ARTS & WRITING ACTIVITIES
Symbolism in literature and film ties the story to the theme. Symbols are never literal,
but are signs that have deeper layers of meaning. For example, Hollis’ back pack or the
echo may be considered symbols. Brainstorm other symbolism in the film. Then write a
short essay that draws a connection between the symbolism and overall themes in
Pictures of Hollis Woods.
Climax is the “high point” or “turning point” in a story. Write a brief paper about the
climax of Pictures of Hollis Woods. Make reference to specific scenes in the film to
illustrate your point.
Hollis Woods uses the word “love” twice at the end of the film: she tells Josie that she
loves her, and she tells Izzy and John Regan that she loves them. Find a poem that best
describes the love that Hollis feels for her new family. Share the poem in class and
explain why it is an appropriate poem for Hollis.
“Home is Where the Heart is” is a common phrase used in literature, music, and everyday
language. Write a paper titled “Home is Where the Heart is” from the viewpoint of
Hollis Woods.
Hollis experiences various emotions in the film. For example, she feels anger, fear,
happiness and sadness. How does she display these emotions? Is it in dialogue? Is it
body language? Or, is it both? Try your hand at acting. Pick a favorite emotional scene
from the film and prepare it as a monologue. Refer to the book for help with the scene.
Josie tells Hollis that “you have to find the right piece of wood” to carve a figure of
someone. Do you think that Josie is referring to the type of wood or to specific shapes of
wood that she has collected? Types of wood that are commonly used for carving include:
Basswood, Butternut or White Walnut, Mahogany, Jelutong, Black Walnut, Obeche,
Sassafras, and Quaken Aspen. Read about these types of wood, and select an appropriate
wood that Josie might use in carving a figure of Steven. Write a one page explanation of
your choice.
Write a sentiment for a Hallmark card that Hollis might give to Izzy on Mother’s Day,
Josie on Mother’s Day and John on Father’s Day.
The school isn’t very welcoming to Hollis, especially the teacher. Talk about things the
teacher could have done to make Hollis feel better as a new student. Hollis will be a new
student again when she goes to live with the Regans. Ask for volunteers to play the roles
of Hollis and her new teacher. Dramatize a scene that will make Hollis feel welcome.
Perhaps a student will want to play the role of Steven and have him introduce Hollis to
the class.
Hollis is reading The Call of the Wild by Jack London, Steven’s summer reading
assignment. Consider the things you know about Hollis (for example, her love of art and
her search for family) and make an annotated summer reading list for her. Suggestions
may include books like Journey by Patricia MacLachlan, A Secret Garden by Frances
Hodgson Burnett, The Pinballs by Betsy Byars, and Monkey Island by Paula Fox.
Pictures of Hollis Woods teleplay by Ann Peacock and Daniel Petrie, Jr. and Camille
Thomasson; directed by Tony Bill. Teachers’ Guide prepared by Pat Scales, Independent
Children’s Literature Consultant, Greenville, SC.