POHW Before & After Poster
By: Laura Grace Kallenbach
1) Hollis' outlook on life
In the beginning, Hollis is sad and lonely after running away from several foster homes. In the end, she is happy to be a part of the Regan family.
Direct Quote: She was the one who marked int he X, spoiling my picture. She pointed. "This is a picture of a family, Hollis. A mother, M, a father, F, a brother, B, a sister, S. They're standing in front of a house, H. I don't see one W here." I opened my mouth to say: How about W for wish, or W for want, or W for wouldn't it be loverly?" pg.1
Hollis and her new FAMILY
Hollis loves to draw
Hollis finally has someone to love her
2) Hollis' ability to trust people
Direct Quote: One night at dinner the Old Man had dropped the box in my lap: tan leather, with dozens of pencils inside, points sharp and perfect, in every color you could imagine, a thick pad of paper, erasers, a pencil sharpener. I had picked up one of the pencils: French Blue, a soft color that was almost purple. "I love this, " I told him. I had wanted to throw my arms around him, wanted to tel him I had never had a present like this before, no one had. I wanted to tell him but I didn't tell him; I ducked my head, my bangs a fringe over my eyes. But he knew; I knew he knew. pg 37-38
3) Hollis' wanting to go back to the Reagans
Direct Quote: The Old Man's wooden floor shone with the same rosy gleam, and my eyes began to close as my fingers warmed but I couldn't fall asleep yet. pg 94
4) Hollis' relationship with Josie
Direct Quote: "Ah" Josie said. " You know it too. This is the way you're going to look very soon. This is the way you'll look for the rest of your life. You have a beautiful face." I swallowed. I didn't want to take the hat off. I wanted to leave it on forever. pg 32
5) Hollis' relationship with the Reagans
Direct Quote: I trotted back to them, tossing the ball over my head and catching it a couple of times just to show them what could do. pg 14-15
Maybe it was because he let me win that first game; maybe it was because I let him win the next one. And maybe it was because for the first time I really saw what it might be like to have a brother. pg 17
6) Hollis' relationship with the Mustard Woman
Direct Quote: "Hollis, I know I'm keeping you from school." No problem, lady. pg 66
7) Hollis' thinking
Direct Quote: " With you?" he said. " Oh Holly. It doesn't have have to do with anyone. I told you that. It's just the way we are." pg 157