The awesome article by Isaac Asimov! :) ("The Fun They Had")

Hello everyone! :)
Since our group was done with reading our book, we were given to read an awesome article called "The Fun They All Had" written by Isaac Asimov! All four of us (Shelly, Sky, Tudor, and I) had the same job which was to summarize this short story/article. This is my summary + what I really think about the article! :)

This article took place in the future but people also talked about the past. There was one girl called Margie. She was nice but she hated school. Margie had a grandpa who told her that stories were once printed on paper and there were teachers that were humans! Well it's easy for us to believe that humans were teachers because they really our at this time but for Margie's time, robots took over education. There was also one boy called Tommy who said that writing 'real' books that look like the books we have today is a waste. Tommy, and so as Margie,  thought that only machines were smart and that humans were stupid. I can bet that some people would even get offended if they heard this. Logically...we are pretty smart since we are the ones who actually made the machines and robots. Margie however, still hated school even if it was real school we all go to, or a robot that just gives you homework and 'nice or bad comments about your work. She said that school is a waste of time in life and that it's stupid. When her grandpa told her that he found a book about school - this was her response. "School? What's there to write about school? I hate school...it's boring" Not so nice of her to say that but that's just her opinion about it. The mechanical teacher/robot was giving her tests all the time and there was more and more of them every week. Margie failed every time because she was bored of school and to me, it seemed like she was bored of life. She only liked computers, robots, and all the other machines. I guess that if you're surrounded by machines and robots who tell you what to do every day, you don't socialize that well. When Margie's robot broke, she was fully hoping that the man who tried to fix the robot would not succeed so she has free time. When the man fixed it, Margie was pretty sad. My impression of Margie till now is that she has no inspiration in life except robots. When Margie said she hates school and doesn't understand at all why would anybody in this world like to write about school, Tommy replied "Because it's not like our kind of school. That school people wrote about was centuries ago!" This sentence tells us that they are definitely in future, far away. Just later in the day, Tommy was trying to explain to Margie that a men really can be a teacher and that Margie should learn more about the past if she wants to have this conversation with him. Margie was totally confused and still couldn't believe that a man was teaching some students the same thing. Margie had no idea what a class looked like, if there is one person in the classroom or if there are more. She also had no idea that kids went to a different building to learn instead of staying at home. The way Margie,Tommy,and all the other kids from the future learn is really similar to home-school except a robot did everything not a human teacher.
After all this time, Margie got interested in school and the past. She got inspiration which means she also got better grades. She asked Tommy to read the book about school, that she said she hated so much, after school. Well at least after the robot tells her what's for homework and that she's free. I was really surprised by the fact Margie was actually willing to learn something new...about school! Wow that really did surprise me. Margie finally got the idea of why Tommy and her grandpa though the school i the old time, before, was good. She thought about the fun they all had playing together in the backyard on the breaks, working together, making friends, laughing in classes and having real teachers with real feelings that would actually give you a great comment with an expression! Margie wished she could go back in time and try learning in our schools. Of course, she still liked the robots way but the public school sounded much more interesting for her now than they were before.

After reading this article and also discussing about it in class with Ms. Stanisic, I realized how the school helps you socialize in life. Only with robots, you'd most likely not have any friends or not so many friends in life since you have nowhere to meet them. I'm imagining that robot way of learning but I'm actually pretty grateful for what I have in this school - Great friends, awesome teachers, fun projects and experiments, and much more. If I was to choose between ISB or any other 'normal' school and the robots that teach you everything, I'd definitely choose ISB. It's only my opinion though. You as a reader, can have a total different opinion but it really doesn't matter. Everybody's different and that's what makes us humans unique. If we were programmed/robots, we would have no feelings at all and have no social life. Imagine a world without friends...so lonely, dark, and sad, isn't it? This article was pretty interesting and I think that all of this could possibly happen in ten or fifteen years..if people are willing to pay for everything, Except if the government is paying for the robots which would be much easier. Now I have a question for you.  What do you think about the different ways of educating the kids and what do you prefer: Ordinary school or robots? Feel free to say it in a comment! :)

The Fun They Had by Isaac Asimov

This week since my group finished the book we read a short story called The Fun They Had . I know this has nothing to do with Hollis woods but I have no idea were else to post this. This is my summary of the short story.

The Fun They Had is based in the future where there is a robotic teacher for only one student. The two characters in this story are Margie and Tommy. Tommy had found a real book (And apparently in the future it is unusual to see a real paper book and it is also never used) about school in the past, or for us it would be the present day. Margie thought that it was interesting that kids went to school together, learnt the same things (Oh my gosh what a surprise (Note the sarcasm please)) and the kids were taught by humans. The story ended with Margie wondering what it was like in the past.

What I know for sure is that I don't want our future to be like that because no matter how hard school can be you actually have friends and you actually have a real person to teach you instead of a robot that can glitch and start attacking you... Can we all promise to keep it this way?

Pictures of Hollis woods

Hannah
Literary Luminary
Pictures of Hollis woods 
166/166

Page:147
Paragraph:3

1. The snow was so dry I could hear the creaking of my footsteps as I went past the Holly bushes. No one could guess they were there, mounded up like soft white pillows, and the river in front of me had disappeared. 

I like this paragraph because it reminds me of one day in winter the snow was so dry, and it was so much like it sounds in the book. And i like it because it sounds so peaceful and pretty. 

Page: 155
Paragraph: 3

2. I brushed him away, trudging along through the trees listening to the call of the crows, the screech of blue jays, and all the time I was listening for that buzzing sound of the snowmobile, telling myself  had made the whole thing up, telling myself it wasn't Steven. 

I like this paragraph because it sounds so peaceful and interesting. It made me want to read on and made me excited. 

3. Josie doesn't remember exactly who I am anymore. She loves me, though, I know that, and always reaches up to my cheek. Sometimes I wear her brown hat with the veil, and then I see the regnition in her eyes. "Hollis," she says. "You saved my life." Maybe she doesn't know why, but she still says it, and I always tell her it was the other way around.

I like this paragraph because its sweet and sad at the same time. And it makes me wonder. If someone special to me wont remember me. And its very touching. 

Pictures of Hollis Woods- Nina: Discussion Director

Nina Lazarevic
Discussion Director

This week we have finished our book. We have read all 166 pages. Therefore, this is the last literature circle blog post for this year. My job was to be the discussion director, so here are some questions I have come up with.

Questions:

1. Why did Hollis think she was the cause of Stevens and Old Mans fight?

Hollis thought she was the cause of Stevens and Old Man's fight because Izzy had told her that their fights had gotten worse this summer.

2. Why did the Old Man always blame Steven instead of Hollis?

The Old Man had always blamed Steven instead of Hollis because he had thought that she could do no wrong in his eyes. She was perfect.

3. Why did Hollis not want to go back to Stevens and the Old Man's house?

Hollis did not want to go back to Stevens and the Old Man's house because she thought she was the reason that Steven and the Old Man were arguing, and by going with them she would just cause them more problems.

4. In Chapter 16, Hollis finally decides to call Beatrice. Why?
Hollis finally decided to call Beatrice so that she could come back and take care of Josie.

Hollis decides to call Beatrice because

5. How did you feel about the ending of the book? What were your thoughts about how the book ended?

Erika: I did not really care about how the book was really going to end, but I am glad that Hollis finally found a loving and nurturing family.

Kristina: I was also glad that Hollis found a good family and that we have finished this book, so that we could go on to a new one.

Hannah: My opinion on this book was that it was okay, although sometimes it was a bit or quite boring, I too am glad that Hollis now has a family.

Ana Marija: I liked the ending of the book because Hollis finally found a family that will take good care of her as well as a family that she can love and enjoy spending time with.

Me: This book was not my favorite book because of some parts that perhaps were a bit too detailed as well as boring, but I enjoyed reading the end of the book when Hollis finally found a family that will be her greatest support in every possible way.

Hey guys,

This week I was the travel tracer. I was going to make a map of everywhere Josie and Hollis went, but I did not have time. But I did write where the action begins, the key events, where the events ended. I hope this blog post makes you think even more deeply about the life of Hollis woods.

Where the action began:

The whole thing started when Hollis first went to live with the Regans. but later the other half of the story started when Hollis went to live at Josie's house after she ran away from the Regans.

Key events:

The first key event (throughout the whole book) is when the accident happened on the old mans mountain. Another event is when Josie and Hollis ran away together to the old mans summer house.

How the events ended:

The accident in the old mans mountain ended when Stevens parents found out and he was sent to the hospital. Shortly after that is when Hollis ran away from the Regans. The event where Hollis and Josie ran away ended when Josie went back to live with Beatrice in her own home, and Hollis went back to live with the Regans and be part of their family again.

I hope you liked this blog post! Thanks for reading!

-Erika Anne Brotzen-
(AKA Firestar)

Illustrator

This is my drawing of Hollis Woods and her baby sister called Christina. I drew this drawing because little Christina reminds me of my cousin when she was a baby. She is still little, but when she was a baby she was so cute! And Hollis's sister is cute too. Or at least my imagined picture of her is. 

So, that is why I drew this picture. 

Pictures of Hollis Woods

Ana Marija

Connector

I, along with my literature circles group, have read all 166 pages of the novel Pictures of Hollis Woods, by Patricia Reilly Giff. My task for this literature circles meeting was connector. The connection I have to this novel, is not one that can only be made in the 22 pages but, one that can be made all throughout the novel. I, just as Hollis Woods does, love to draw. Sometimes I would draw for entertainment purposes, while during other times I would draw a place or event, so that I would have it forever with me, and so to speak have it permanently engraved in my memory.

An example of something that I did draw, in order to keep it with me forever, was my tenth birthday. My tenth birthday was a very special event because my whole family got together and attended the, in my opinion, spectacular celebration. 

Travel Tracer

Hey guys! I read until the end so there might be spoilers, if you haven't read until the end.


Where the actions begins: The action begins on old man's mountain, where Hollis Woods and Steven had an accident about a year ago. It was a car crash. Steven was driving a truck and it tipped over. He broke his back, and Hollis ran away after that.

Where the key events happened: The key events happened on old man's mountain. There, Hollis found Steven after running away, and moved back into their house.

Then, the action ends in (guess where): Old man's mountain, where Hollis now lives with her new family and baby sister called Christina.

LAST POSTA FORA HOLLIS!!!!

This Time I was the illustrator. I drew this picture that represents what happens in the very last chapter. In the very last chapter, Hollis is comparing her "W" drawing to the picture of her new family. Hollis is describing what happens in the picture and why she can't make it fit to her "W" picture. In this picture their is the Old Man, Steve (Who I kind of failed at drawing because he is super-duper skinny) Izzy, Hollis (who I also failed at drawing because her arms are crooked) and Baby Christina. I tried to re-create the family photo to the best of my capability and with most of the description that the book gave.

Meeting #4

Hello! I'm Tudor Danila and I was the illustrator for my literature circle this week. We are reading "Pictures of Hollis Woods" by Patricia Reilly Giff and we read from page 119 till the end of the book and that is page 166. This is my drawing:

My picture shows a part from the Eleventh Picture of the book, when Hollis was climbing the mountain next to the house. The paragraph from the book that describes this is the following: "And then I began to climb. It was hot work; I draped the sweater over a tree limb. After a while I could feel the pull in my ankles, the rub of my sneakers against my heels. I stopped at the halfway point to look down at the house, the snake of the river, and I could see Steven, a tiny figure in a rowboat." (page 120, paragraph 4).

I chose to draw this because I liked that Hollis didn't gave up on her dream. From the first day she got there she wanted to climb that mountain and there she was, in the last day, having 2 options: 1-going fishing with Steven, her step-brother or achieve her dream: climb that mountain. She chose the second on and left Steven fishing alone.  I really liked that she follow her dream and work hard and left somethings behind to achieve it. I think that's what all of us should do if we want to achieve our goals.

Thank you for reading and hoped you enjoyed!

P.S. Sorry for the drawing. I'm not such a great artist. 

Hey Hollis Woods lovers,

This week I was the vocabulary person. I chose six words that were interesting and then I wrote the definition. Below you can find all of my words. I hope you like them :D! I also hope you learn something new :D!

1.The first word is jetties. I found it on page 138 paragraph 4. the definition is:
A landing or stage or a small pier at which boats can dock or moored.

2.The second word, that I chose, is dusky. I found it on page 134 paragraph 2. The definition is:
Darkish in color-it could also mean dim.

3.The third word that I found interesting, was jerking. I found it on page 133 paragraph 1. The definition that I found was pretty simple:
Move or cause to move with a jerk.

4.The fourth word I found was loon. I found it on page 134 paragraph 2. The definition is:
A silly or foolish person.

5.The fifth word that I found was turret. I found it on page 135 paragraph 3. The definition is:
A small tower on top of a larger tower or at the corner of a building or wall, typically a castle.

6.The six and final word I found was cascading. I found it on page 140 paragraph 5. The definition is:
(Of water) pour downward rapidly and in large quantities-it also mean pass (something) on to a succession of other.

Those were my words. I hoped you liked them!

-Erika Anne Brotzen-

Pictures of Hollis Woods

Ana Marija

Illustrator

I read 144 pages of the novel Pictures of Hollis Woods, by Patricia Reilly Giff. The picture that I drew is supposed to, and does, represent Hollis' and Josie's relationship and how much they care for each. It is a picture Hollis and Josie on Christmas day at the house in Branches, when Hollis give Josie her Christmas present; a picture of Josie and Beatrice, Josie's sister, at the movies in front of a popcorn machine. I am going to post both a black and white version of it as well as a color one, because the colored one ended up a bit too light to see all the details.

Pictures of Hollis woods

Hannah

Summarize

144/166

Basically, Hollis woods goes up the mountain because she likes it up there, but Steven tells her not to be late and get home. But Hollis does is late and Steven worries. He drives up the mountain with "the old man's" truck and picks up Hollis. When they drive down the hill the truck doesn't want to slow down and they get into a crash. Steven gets hurt badly. Hollis regrets ever going up that mountain. 

Josie and Hollis run away up to the shed that "the old man" owns. They have Christmas there and give each other presents. Hollis starts thinking someone is there with them. Later on, Josie gives Hollis a doll that she has been working on since the day Hollis went to stay with her. Josie says that the doll has "giving arms". 

HN 

Vocabulary Enricher

Hi guys! Last week I was the Vocabulary Enricher. So, here are my words:

Page: ?  Word: Deceptive  Definition: To deceive someone, tricky.

Page: 24  Word: Incorrigible  Definition: Unable to be corrected.

Page: 147  Word: Astronomy  Definition: The study of stars.

Page: 147 Word: Visible  Definition: To see be able to see something.

Thanks for reading! Bye!

Kristina

Literary Luminary- Literature Circles

Nina Lazarevic
Literary Luminary
Page: 146- 166

Paragraph 1:
 "Presents", Josie said, a secret smile lightening her face. I curled up in bed, looking out the window at a pale moon and trees thick with snow,thinking I never seen anything beautiful. I could see movement at the edge of the trees and sat up to see what it was. And suddenly, a fox, silver gray with his tail streaming out in back of him, darted across that open space, crossed the ice, and was gone.

I choose this passage because I liked the description of the cold and snowy weather, it also reminds me of many nice memories and holidays with my family.

I found this passage on the 4th paragraph, of  page 129.

Paragraph 2:
In the emergency room a doctor took five stitches to close my forehead and wrapped an Ace bandage around my ankle. Steven was somewhere inside too, and I didn't even know what was happening to him.

I chose this paragraph reminds me of my mom's father , and how he was doctor who helped many people.

I found this passage on the 7th paragraph, of  page 135.

Paragraph 3:
I'd never seen anything so beautiful, so Christmasy either. Pine branches were everywhere. We'd found candles, maybe a dozen, and lighted all of them. The ornaments sparkled in the light.

I chose this paragraph reminds me of my Christmas eve with my family and friends opening gifts and having a good time.

I found this passage on the 2nd paragraph, of  page 138.

Paragraph 4:
I needed to be outside. I needed to be cold, so cold I could't think of anything but the ice and the snow. Anything, that's what the stucco woman would say.

This paragraph reminds me of situations when I was very frustrated, and needed some space away from everyone, that is why I chose it.

I found this passage on the 2nd paragraph, of  page 143.

Paragraph 5:
I wasn't laughing when I sat there. I was sitting as straight as I could, but could feel mu knees shaking.

I chose this paragraph reminds me of the terrible time I had when I was waiting results from my music school exam.

I found this passage on the 2nd paragraph, of page 144.

Hollis Woods- 2nd post (for me)

Hello! I'm Tudor Danila and this week my job was discussion director for my lit. circle. We are reading "Pictures of Hollis Woods" by Patricia Reilly Giff. We read 119 pages out of 166. Now I will write the question that I asked them and their answers:

1) What was going through your mind while reading this?
Me: I liked this part because so far this part is the only one that had some action in it. I liked when Hollis broke the window and they got in the Brenches.
Sara: She thought it was weird.  
Sky: She thought this section was boring.
Shelly: She was thinking about food because there was food in this section.

2) Did anything surprise you about this section?
Me: The way this section surprised me is that it had action in it and it wasn't boring like all th reast of the book.
Sara: She wasn't surprised by anything.
Sky: She was surprised how boring this book is.
Shelly: She was surprised by the way Hollis did everything and she said that she would do the same.

3) Can you predict something about the next section of the book?
Me: It is hard but I think the Old Man, the owner, will come and see that they moved there but i dont think he will be angry.
Sara: She thinks Hollis will almost die.
Sky: She thinks that Hollis and Josie will leave the Brenches and go back to Josie's house.
Shelly: She thinks the mustard woman will find Hollis and Josie and will take Hollis.

4) How did you feel while reading the Ninth Picture?
Me: I really liked how Izzy welcomed Hollis in their family. I think it was very nice of her and I really liked that part.
Sara: She thought it was weird but she doesn't know why.
Sky: She again felt hungry because of the story.
Shelly: She thought that what Izzy did was nice and she thinks that Hollis it's a little bit mean but she couldn't explain why she thinks that.

5) Can any summarize this section?
I chose to this because nobody offered. So, in this section Hollis got the idea to leave Josie's house and to go to live in the Brenches. She wanted to live the house because the mustard women wanted to take her away from Josie. The Brenches is the place where Hollis leaved the last summer. She chose that place because she knew the owners don't live there during winters so the house was empty. So they left Josie's house and went there. After not such a long drive they got there. Hollis threw her shoe and broke one window so that they couldn't got in. She replaced that window later with another one that was in the garage. At the end of this section it described the house and how Hollis and Josie feel in there.
This was my post and I hoped you enjoyed reading it!

Pictures of Hollis Woods by Patricia Reilly Giff

Shelly

Illistrator

Pictures of Hollis Woods by Patricia Reilly Giff

122/166 # of pages

---------

Hey,

So basically I was, the illustrator and here is my picture and paragraph:

 I know the picture's upside down, sorry.

So in my picture I basically showed the time when Hollis and Josie, were drinking warn hot chocolate and I flt really jealous so I drew that. They had marshmallows in it, and they just "moved in" (crashed in) the house that Hollis's old foster family used to live in, but it was winter. So the family was in their winter house, and Hollis saw some pictures of hers and all her memories flashed back. 

I really like hot chocolate so that is the reason I did this picture, and also I can connect to this. I connect to this because when I am having fun, I have flashbacks of other fun things I did before. Like Hollis loves drawing, and she draws memories and I think that's really cool!

Hope you liked this,

sorry if you didn't!

Shelly

Hollis Woods Yo! *Falls Asleep*

Hello Everyone! So this time I was the vocabulary person.
Here are my words! In a table!!!

That is it from me I guess..... HAVE A NICE DAY YO!!!

Your Crazy Friend,

SKYPE THE AMAZING!!!

=)

Hollis woods- Vocabulary

Hannah
Vocabulary
Pictures of Hollis woods
122/166

Page:103
Paragraph:4
Word: Bewildered
Definition:confused and indecisive; puzzled

Page:104
Paragraph:7
Word: Indentation
Definition: the action of indenting, or the state of being indented.

Page: 110
Paragraph: 2
Word: Jubilant
Definition: Feeling or expressing great happiness and triumph

Page:113
Paragraph:3
Word: Rummage
Definition: search untidily through something

Page: 118
Paragraph: 2
Word: pewter
Definition: a shade of blueish or silver grey.

Pictures of Hollis Woods

Ana Marija 

Summarizer

I have read 122 pages of the novel Pictures of Hollis Woods, by Patricia Reilly Giff. In the latest 22 pages of this novel a lot of exciting events happened. First, Hollis went out to the bank for a fishing trip and was almost seen by another fisherman, she would have been if she hadn't fled the scene as soon as she had seen him. Next, Hollis was sitting in front of a windowsill, in the house in Branches, drawing a picture of Josie and Beatrice at the movies in front of a popcorn machine, for Josie as Christmas present. Finally, in one (the eleventh one) of Hollis's pictures she climbed the mountain near by the house in Branches, when she was climbing down she slipped and fell hurting herself, she was not able to continue going down by herself so she called Steven, who had earlier left to go fishing, he came even though didn't hear her calling his name because he felt bad about leaving her alone and when she wasn't at home he thought she went to climb the mountain. Steven, Izzy and the Old Man were Hollis's old foster family.

Discussion Director

So, for this week, I was discussion director. I came up with some questions:

Who had gotten sick?

Josie's cousin, Beatrice.


What did you think when Hollis Woods showed Beatrice her drawings?

We were all happy for her, because her talent was recognized.


What did you think when the Mustard Women came to check on Hollis Woods?

"Oh no you didn't!"
"Eww, gross, she's back!"
"Why is she back?"


What did the fisherman say to Hollis?

Want a job?


Who picks Hollis up one day for lunch at her to-be-new-family's house?

No one, because she runs away with Josie for an 'Adventure'.


These were my question and answers (some from my teammates).

Kristina

Vocabulary Enricher

"The Pictures of Hollis Woods" by Patricia Reilly Giff

Pages read: 81/166
- Vocabulary Enricher 

___________________________

Page 41/ paragraph 2 

Word: Squiggling 

Definition: 

- To squirm and wriggle

- Short, irregular curve or twist, as in writing or drawing / scribble
Sentence example from the book:

"It is," I said, squiggling the pencil for shadow.
In this content, squiggle means scribble.

___________________________

Page 41 / paragraph 2
Word: Lingering
Definition:
- lasting for a long time or slow to end
Sentence example from the book:
"Remember, Beatrice had a lingering cold."

___________________________
Page 43 / paragraph 1
Word: Trot
Definition: 

- trot of a horse : to move at a speed faster than walking by stepping 
with each front leg at the same time as the opposite back leg
Example: A horse trotted past us
- to run at a slow, steady pace 
- to move quickly
- to bring something out to be displayed
Sentence example from the book:

"Trot out some more of your pictures, please"
In this case, trot means to bring something out to be displayed.

___________________________

Page 47 / paragraph 1
Word: Hammock
Definition:
- a bed made of canvas or rope, suspended from two supports
 by cords at both ends.
Sentence example from the book:
"Hat down over his eyes at first, standing in front of the river in
 the next, sleeping in the hammock in the third."

___________________________

Page 64 / paragraph 2
Word: Mangy
Definition:
- in poor condition; shabby
Sentence example from the book:
"Now i watched the fingers of fog drift over the water while Henry sat nearby, 
washing one mangy leg."

___________________________

Page 73 / paragraph 2
Word: Sleet
Definition:
- rain containing some ice, as when snow melts as it falls.
Sentence example from the book"
"Drops of melting sleet were running down the glass."


___________________________

Pictures of Hollis Woods/Illustrator- Nina

Nina Lazarevic
Illustrator
Page: 126-166
In this picture you can see Hollis Woods in her room, looking out through the window into the cold and snowy day while drinking cocoa and thinking about Christmas eve.  I also drew her bad, and some sketches of what I thought would represent her, hanging on the wall. I drew this picture because it reminds me of when I am on a holiday with my family looking out through the window and drinking my tea as well as skiing with my dad. It is also the time to celebrate my birthday.This picture represents a scene in the book.

Pictures of hollis woods - Illustrator- Hannah

Illustrator
Hannah
100/166

I drew in the middle of the entire drawing the art kit that Hollis got from "The old man".
I thought of how it would look and i used to have an art kit. So i drew the one that i used to have.
To the right of the paper i drew Hollis woods, well the way i imagine her. And on the left side i drew Steven. I just felt like drawing them the way i imagine them.

Thank you! HN

Pictures of Hollis Woods:Vocabulary Enricher-Nina

Nina Lazarevic

Vocabulary Enricher
100/166

Word:Whittle
Page: 30
Paragraph: 2
Definition: "Carve wood into an object by repeatably cutting small slices from it."

Sentence: "He was sitting at the tent door, whittling a piece of wood with a knife"

Word: Trundle
Page: 30
Paragraph: 3
Definition: "An act of moving slowly or heavily."
Sentence: " I trundle to school every morning."

Word: Gouge
Page: 33
Paragraph: 2
Definition: " Estimate or determine the magnitude, amount, or volume of."
Sentence: "Astronomers can gauge the star's essential brightness"

Word: Ladle
Page: 42
Paragraph:6
Definition: "Serve (soup,stew,or sauce) with a ladle."
Sentence: " Ladle the stew into your bowl."

Word: Adobe
Page: 46
Paragraph: 3
Definition: "A kind of clay used as a building material, typically in the form of a sun-dried bricks.
Sentence: " I made a jewelry box from adobe."

Word: Stanchion
Page: 53
Paragraph: 6
Definition: "An upright bar, post, or frame forming a support or barrier."
Sentence: " A perfectly placed header hit the top stanchion."

Word: Bushel
Page: 56
Paragraph: 5
Definition: "A measure of capacity equal to 64 US pints (equivalent to 35.2 liters), used to dry goods.
Sentence: " Bushels of grain."

Word: Lilac
Page: 65
Paragraph: 5
Definition: "A pinkish color."
Sentence: "My bed was lilac."

Word: Nestle
Page: 81
Paragraph: 5
Definition: "Settle or lie comfortably within or against something."
Sentence: " I always nestle on the couch after I eat my launch."

Word: Blare
Page: 84
Paragraph: 5
Definition: "A loud harsh sound."
Sentence: " I heard a blare coming from outside."

Word: Tweak
Page: 92
Paragraph: 4
Definition: "Twist or pull (something) sharply.
Sentence: " My friend tweaked a page out of my notebook."

Word: Gleam
Page: 94
Paragraph: 3
Definition: "Shine, brightly, especially with reflected light."
Sentence: " The ring was gleaming."

Word: Nudge
Page: 98
Paragraph: 2
Definition: " Prod (someone) gently with ones elbow in order to attract attention."
Sentence: " I nudged my dad, until he turned around and talked to me."

Word: Rattle
Page: 98
Paragraph: 2
Definition: "Making a series of short ,sharp,knocking sounds.
Sentence: "Our friend always rattles, to annoy us."

Pictures of Hollis Woods

Ana Marija

Literary Luminary

Paragraph 1:

"Never" she told me "It's your world, it belongs to you." she ran the pencil through her hair, separating the thick strands. "Drawing is what you see of the world, truly see." 

I chose this passage because I thought that it was interesting to know how someone other than myself saw the world, and how she saw it. This passage was found on the 1st paragraph, of the page 45

Paragraph 2:

My name...," I began as he folded himself down on the step next to mine. "Hollis Woods is a real place." I shrugged a little "Holliswoods"I said. "One word I think." When the Old Man spoke, I jumped. "It's where they found you, as a baby?" "An hour old" I said in an I-don't-care voice. "No blanket. On a corner. Somewhere." Didn't a baby deserve a blanket? "And just a scrap of paper: CALL HER HOLLIS WOODS." 

I chose this passage because I thought that knowing about Hollis's past would help us understand, who she is and how she became that person. I found this passage in the 3rd paragraph, of the page 48. 

Paragraph 3:

I reached into my pocket and held onto the shell. For the first time in my life, I thought, I'd really have to go to school. I'd have to if I wanted to stay at Josie's.

I chose this paragraph because I think that it portrays who Hollis is finding herself become. This passage was found in the 8th paragraph, of the page 54.

Paragraph 4:

"I think, Mrs. Cahill, that we need to talk about another place for Hollis."Josie sat up straight. I could see her think hands on the coffee cup trembling a little; her mouth too. "Hollis is leaving?". 

I chose this paragraph because it explains what happens next in the story, why Hollis and Josie run away together. This passage was found in the 5th paragraph, of the page 66.

Paragraph 5:

Never mind that we didn't know exactly how to get to the house in Branches; I'd find it. Never mind that the house wasn't mine. Please don't mind, i said to Izzy and the Old Man in my head.

I chose this paragraph because it shows where Hollis and Josie are running away to, how much Josie means to Hollis and how much Hollis cares about her (Josie). I found this passage on the 1st paragraph of the page 80.

Hey fellow Hollis Woods book readers,

This week I was the connector. I found out that I had many things in common with Hollis Woods.

1.For starters, I realized drawing is a huge part of Hollis Woods life. Drawing is also a huge part of my life. We both express our feeling through our pictures and draw things from our memories so that we never forget any special moments.
2.We both move a lot. The difference is that she moves from home to home hoping to find the perfect family for her. I move with a family I already have because of their work.
3.We both get homesick, but in different ways. I get homesick for my family in the United States, but Hollis feels homesick for her old family that was going to adopt her called the Regans.
4. We are not exactly tom-boys, but we are not girly-girls either. We do not play sports or anything as much as boys do, but we would never wear a dress.

So in more ways then one, we are still very similar. I am sure that the further I get into the book the more I things I will find that both Hollis and I have in common. In my opinion, a book is more fun, and more interesting when I can relate to the character. I could be able to understand her feelings, and maybe even some of her decisions that others may not understand as well. That is one of the reasons I think this is such a good book. I only wish that she didn't repeat herself. I feel like she is too constantly talking about the Regans and that some of the things she says about them are repeated in previous pages or chapters.

But don't get me wrong, it is still a good book.

-Erika Anne Brotzen-
(AKA Firestar)

Pictures of Hollis Woods by Patricia Reilly Giff (Vocabulary Enricher)

Shelly

Vocabulary Enricher

Pictures of Hollis Woods by Patricia Reilly Giff

41/166 # of pages

Bold - Sentence.
5 sentences.

--------------

page: 41

paragraph: 1

word: canal

definition: an artificial waterway constructed to allow the passage of boats or ships inland or to convey water for irrigation.

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page: 41

paragraph: 2

word: pattered

definition: make a repeated light tapping sound or run quick with light steps.

Sentence: My feet pattered down the stairs as I ran quickly to get the nutella. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

page: 41

paragraph: 2

word: lingering

definition: lasting for a long time or slow to end.

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page: 48

paragraph: 2

word: darted

definition: move or run somewhere suddenly or rapidly.

Sentence: I darted through the woods.

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page: 52

paragraph: 6

word: jetty

definition: a landing stage or small pier at which boats can dock or be moored.

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page: 56

paragraph: 1

word: adobe

definition: a kind of clay used as a building material.

Sentence: Sorry for being late, I was building the adobe houses for my dolls.

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page: 57

paragraph: 2

word: maneuvered

definition: move skilfully or carefully.

Sentence: I maneuvered through the basketball court, and tried to score a basket.

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page: 65

paragraph: 3

word: scampered

definition: (especially of a small animal or child) run with quick light steps, especially through fear or excitement.

Sentence: I scampered to my father's arms as he came in to my room.

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page: 66

paragraph: 3

word: groping

definition: search blindly or uncertainly by feeling with the hands.

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Illustartor

Hey Guys,

I was the Illustrator last week! Sorry I did not post yesterday, I was having a difficult time with my scanner. I did not have time to do my blog post in class, but when I tried to scan my picture at home it did not work. It worked today, so that is why my blog post is a little late. 

My picture shows the mustard woman (with the mustard stain on her shirt), Jose (when she was holding the knife in her hand), and Hollis Woods. Hollis Woods is looking down because the book said she does not look people in the eyes because she thinks if she does, the other person can look into her soul. I drew the mustard woman so she looked like she just wanted to leave. I drew Josie almost angry looking (by mistake), but picture her not smiling evilly. I drew Hollis Woods like she does not want to be there. I also drew the Jose's house in the background. The house has a front yard with grass and the wooden sticks Jose uses to draw carve faces in (Jose carves faces out of the sticks so that they look like real people). The scene I drew the picture of takes place in the beginning of the book (when Hollis Woods is being dropped off at yet another "home"). That pretty much describes my picture!

-Erika Anne Brotzen-

(AKA Firestar)

Illustrating The Chapter

Sara Glid, Illustrator
"Pictures of Hollis Woods" by Patricia Reilly Giff
Pages read: 48/166
This is the illustration of chapter 2, Third Picture, Fishing in Delaware River.
Illustration of pages 26 - 29

This is my drawing:



The drawing represents the chapter (chapter two, third picture, "The Old Man's Mountain") where Steven and Hollis are fishing in the Delaware River where as explained in the book, on one side there is a rock which Steven and Hollis are sitting on and on the other side, there is "Old Man's Mountain" with lots of tress at the base of it.

Thank you for reading my blog post, I hope you enjoyed!

Hannah

Discussion director
Pictures of Hollis Woods
30/166

1. What would you like to ask the author or a character?
How did the Hollis become

2. What types of images did you see "in your mind" while you were reading this section of the book?
I imaged when the people were playing the board game. When the girl was on the bus. And i imaged many different parts of it.

3. Predict something about what might happen next.
I am actually not sure. There are many different things.

4. What do you like or dislike about the book?
I like the part when she called the old man "the old man".

5. What is one important thing in the book so far?
That the girl is an orphan. And Hollis Woods has lots of memories.

Pictures of Hollis Woods

Cover of Pictures of Hollis Woods

Ana Marija

Vocabulary Enricher

For the Literature Circles I am reading Pictures of Hollis Woods by Patricia Reilly Giff. I have read 30 pages out of the total 166.

Word: foolish

Page (word found on): 2

Paragraph (word found on): 6

Definition: Unwise; lacking good sense or judgment

Word: Sooty

Page (word found on): 4

Paragraph (word found on): 2

Definition: brownish black in color

Word: lump

Page (word found on): 5

Paragraph (word found on): 3

Definition: mass of solid matter without regular or particular shape

Word: puff

Page (word found on): 5

Paragraph (word found on): 7

Definition: a short burst of breath

Word: stain

Page (word found on): 6

Paragraph (word found on): 1

Definition:  a mark or discolor

Word: foster

Page (word found on): 6

Paragraph (word found on): 2

Definition: to promote growth or development

Word: mangy

Page (word found on): 7

Paragraph (word found on): 2

Definition: shabby; poor in condition

Word: irritable

Page (word found on): 8

Paragraph (word found on): 8

Definition: showing or having a tendency to be easily annoyed

Word: filmy

Page (word found on): 9

Paragraph (word found on): 14

Definition: translucent or thin

Word: sherbet

Page (word found on): 12

Paragraph (word found on): 3

Definition: a favored sweet effervescent powder

Word: stucco

Page (word found on): 13

Paragraph (word found on): 1

Definition: cement used for moulding architectural decorations or coating wall surfaces

Word: lumbered

Page (word found on): 13

Paragraph (word found on): 10

Definition: movement made in a slow, heavy or awkward way

Word: freebie

Page (word found on): 14

Paragraph (word found on): 4

Definition: a thing/item given free of charge

Word: lure

Page (word found on): 27

Paragraph (word found on): 7

Definition: a form bait used in fishing or hunting

Pictures of Hollis Woods by Patricia Reilly Giff

Shelly

Summarizer

Pictures of Hollis Woods by Patricia Reilly Giff

41/166 # of pages

Hollis Woods, the young 12 year old girl is one big lump of heavy trouble. She drew pictures, lots of them. Hollis Woods has just moved in a new foster home to live in with a beautiful, movie-star like lady named Josie Cahill. Josie welcomed Hollis with a knife in her hands. Although she looked scary and dangerous and when Hollis came closer she saw little scar cris crosses on her face, Josie was a true talented artist who carved woods and loved the sea.

Hollis tells throughout these chapters about a young boy names Steven, who she felt so close to, like he was her brother. Old man, the one person who though Hollis was a great kid and Izzy, the tallest woman that Hollis had ever seen, who are these characters from the Regan family.

Hollis Woods had not stayed in the homes who offered her love, warmth and shelter. But with her new foster family lady, Josie she feels like never before. Like she belongs with her and she feels like she is at the right place, finally a place where she can stay.

Vocabulary

Hi guys! This is Tudor! Till now I read 62 pages out of 166, of a book called "Pictures of Hollis Woods" by Patricia Reilly Giff.
This week I worked on the Vocabulary task. These are the words:

pg 4, paragraph 2
sooty - black or brownish black;

pg 5, paragraph 2
stain- discolour or be discoulered by the action of liquid sinking in;

pg 5, paragraph 2
lump- a piece of mass of solid matter without regular shape or no particular shape;

pg 6, paragraph 2
foster- to promote the growth or development of; further; encourage;

pg 13, paragraph 1
stucco- cement used for coating wall surfaces or moulding into architectural decorations;

pg 14, paragraph 4
freebie- a thing provided free of charge;

pg 32, paragraph 1
dim (light)- not bright;

pg 32, paragraph 2
gleamed- to appear suddenly and clearly like a flash of light.
This was it! Hope you enjoyed!

Connector! 17-4-2014

From page 0-41. Or basically chapter 4.

I was connecting to the part when Hollis Woods meets Josie, and Josie leads Hollis into her garden. When Hollis says that the garden is like a whole different world.

This reminds me of the book called "The Secret Garden". The main character in that book, Mary, described the garden as a different world and that it is magical. And in my head, I imagine Josie's garden to look magical. In my head, in both Mary and Josie's garden, to me are cover in fairy or star dust because it is a "whole different world". And I saw in a movie, that was in a different world, the garden was covered in sparkly dust and had birds flying everywhere. And that reminds me of a Japanese garden that I saw when I went to visit a temple. And it the garden was so well taken care of, and the garden was like perfect. And that is how I imagine Josie's garden.

Other people in my groups said= "Cool"-Tudor

That is it... Sorry...

Sky

Summarizer/Literature Circles- Nina

Nina Lazarevic

Summarizer

Pictures of Hollis Woods

30/166 

“Pictures of Hollis Woods” by Patricia Reilly Gif is an emotional story about a little girl searching for a loveable family. The story begins when Hollis is 6 years old and is assigned homework to find a picture of words that begin with letter W. After the teacher marks her picture with an X because she showed a happy family with no words starting with W, Hollis tries to explain that W is for Wish or Want, but the teacher refuses to listen. 

Soon after she is punished by her current foster parent, the lemon lady.  Even then Hollis reminds herself of the Regan’s family on the W picture. Not so after Hollis is taken to another foster home in the care of women named Josie Cahill. When they get to know each other her foster mother asks her if she would like her to curve her picture into a tree, but only if she decides to stay.

The third picture is not just one picture, but 10 because Hollis cannot draw a picture of Steven. She takes a bus to Branches to spend the summer with the family on the picture that wanted to adopt her. Getting out of the bus, she instantly makes a connection with Steven and Mr. Regan, but struggles to draw Steven, maybe because she experienced what having a brother is for the first time.

Welcome!

Dear Readers,

Welcome to our blog. This blog is about our Literature Circles book group, and our current book is Pictures of Hollis Woods. Have fun reading our blog posts!

The Hollis Woods Group ♥