Predictions?

Last reading today. How is this book going to turn out?

Santa?

(138-151) When Hollis first sees the gift from Josie she says, “I could see it was me. But not really me.” What did she mean by that?

A turning point for Hollis comes in Chapter 15. She finds some answers for things she has been thinking and worrying about in an unlikely place – that was always right in front of her. What does she see?

Her revelation makes her rethink Josie’s gift of candy. Where does Hollis think that the Candies came from?

Why?

In my comment on the last post I said that I thought the most important event was Hollis saying she never wanted to see the Regan's again after hearing about Steven's injuries. Why does she not want to see them? How could other's interpret her feelings?

Sweater

(p125-137) What is the whole story of the sweater? (It does not first appear in Chapter 13.) What does Hollis think it means? What do you think it means?

The Twelfth picture fills in the details of the accident. List the important events from the time that Steen yelled “Jump Hollis” until the time that Hollis ran from the Stucco lady.

A clearer picture....

( 101-125) I think Kris’ first question was answered early in Chapter 12. What did we learn about Steven?

Hollis has been busily drawing since arriving. She pondered leaving the pictures hanging on the walls in the spring, but decided “I’d never leave the pictures”? Why did she consider leaving them, and why did she decide not to so strongly?

Early in the book Josie talks about Ocean People (her) versus Fresh Water people (like Hollis). In Chapter 12 she talks about watching the snow land on the ocean. Why do you think the author is bring this up again?

The 11th ‘picture’ is the first one that does not exist on paper. The memories of that day keeping coming into her mind but she has not drawn them. Why? Does she wish that they would go away? Is that working for her? In learning about this non-picture we finally find out what happened on the mountain, though we cannot clearly say what the outcome was – a cliff hanger. Based on what you know so far, do you think she is justified in being so hard on herself about this accident? What could change your mind?

Hold your breath.....

I thought all day on Wednesday about the quote from F. Scott Fitzgerald that we saw on the Writers Almanac: "All good writing is swimming under water and holding your breath." What do you think he meant? Was he referring to the writer or the reader? Are we going to need to make a trip to the pool to figure it out?

Seriously - what was his point?

In the last post, Kris addressed one of the Essential Questions. What do you think about what she said?

Breaking In

(88-109) I was thinking about what Hollis must have been feeling as she walked into the Regan’s summer home that cold winter night. ‘Weird’ would be an understatement. I thought it was interesting that she was willing to break into the home but would not go in the Old Man & Izzy’s room. What was the difference in the line being crossed?

Sandwiched between the chapters of arriving and settling into the house was the picture of the ‘welcome to the family’ party – a family she no longer had hopes of being part of. True?

In chapter 10 she recounts leaving the Regans. She talks about walking out the door and then as far as the town, waiting for the bus. The tone of the paragraph did not make it clear to me if she left on her own (‘ran’) or was asked to leave. It lacked the urgency of running yet did not seem like the way they would have sent her away if they wanted her gone.

Do we have enough clues yet to know if she ran or was asked to leave?

In Chapter 11 I think she is starting to realize the difficult spot she is in. Josie seems to be getting worse and Josie gets very afraid when she thinks someone might have seen her. Where do you think this story is going?

(Reread the essential questions.)