Skip to main content
The AR Booklist
Pictures of Hollis Woods book cover

Pictures of Hollis Woods

by Patricia Reilly Giff

Yearling 2002

★★★★★

Great fit for 4th grade

Reading level and content both target 4th–8th grade · ages 9–14

4th grade English Juvenile Fiction
166
Pages
5
AR Points
4.6h
Read time
AR Quiz Available

Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Retailer links may be affiliate links.

Learn more about Accelerated Reading →
Newbery Honor

Genre

Realistic Fiction

Themes

  • found family
  • foster care
  • identity
  • memory
  • art and creativity
  • belonging
  • trust
  • resilience

About this book

Twelve-year-old Hollis Woods has bounced through foster homes, carrying only her drawings and a fierce sense of independence. When she’s placed with Josie, a kind but forgetful artist, Hollis begins to feel seen and needed. Her memories of a summer with a loving foster family intertwine with her present, as she decides where she truly belongs. Heartfelt and hopeful, this story resonates with readers who enjoy realistic tales about finding family and home.

Setting: contemporary New York State (Long Island and upstate)

Readers also enjoyed

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Pictures of Hollis Woods right for my child?

Yes — Pictures of Hollis Woods is a great fit for 4th grade. The reading level is AR 4.9, which is typical for 4th grade. The interest level is rated Middle Grades (4–8), meaning the themes and content are designed for ages 9–14 (4th–8th grade). Themes include found family, foster care, identity.

How long does it take to read Pictures of Hollis Woods?

At a typical 4th grade reading pace, Pictures of Hollis Woods takes around 4.6h to finish. The book has 41,400 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.

Does Pictures of Hollis Woods have an AR quiz?

Yes — Pictures of Hollis Woods has an AR quiz available, worth 5 points. Your child will need to take and pass the quiz through their school's Accelerated Reader program to earn credit. The quiz is typically 5–20 multiple choice questions about plot, characters, and setting.

What grade level is Pictures of Hollis Woods?

Pictures of Hollis Woods has an AR reading level of 4.9, which places it at a 4th grade reading difficulty. The interest level is rated Middle Grades (4–8) — this reflects the age-appropriateness of the content and themes, not just the reading difficulty. A strong younger reader may handle the words fine while the themes are aimed at an older audience, or vice versa.