Was Hollis Right or Wrong?

1/26/2016

Was Hollis Right or Wrong?

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What do you think about the choices Hollis made throughout the book?

Here are JUST SOME of the things she did: Running away, stealing, and convincing a mentally-ill person to help her.

Here is your assignment:

Tell me whether or not you agree with her actions.
-Provide evidence to justify why you feel this way!
Here are some questions/statements to get you started:
-It would be better if she had...
-What would you say to defend her actions?
-Based on what you know, how would you explain her choices?
-Why was it better that she...
-How could you compare her actions to....
-What would you recommend to her?

USE YOUR GRAPHIC ORGANIZER!!!

49 Comments

Allison

1/27/2016 13:04:05

I think that Hollis was right about sone things but not others.I think she was right about running away intill she found the Reagan's.Also she was right not to run from Josie.I don't think it was right for Hollis tobreak into the Reagan's house or to steal their food.She could get in big trouble.Finally it was wrong of Hollis to trick Josie.If i could give Hollis advice I would tell her to think before she does things.Will stealing fod hurt someone?

Alexa

1/27/2016 14:39:05

I do understand your reasoning but I don't think it was wise to run away from Josie's home and risk Josie's life in the process who is mentally-ill to go and find the Regan's. She could've figured out another way to find the Regan's.

Jenna

9/17/2017 20:21:10

I agree with you. Its wrong to use a mentally-ill person to get what you want. Life isn't fair.

Makenna

1/27/2016 21:36:49

Allison I like your reasons and I agree with you.

Heidi

1/27/2016 13:33:50

I did not agree with Hollis actions. I don't agree with her actions but I think she shouldn't get any punishments. I do not agree with the actions because she lived in someone's house without asking. She also knew Josie was mentally ill so she took avantage of her. Also she skip school to do what she wanted. I don't agree for actions but I think she shouldn't get any big punishments. Hollis has been to a lot of homes and doesn't have that much money. It is very hard for her but she shouldn't do these things.

Eva

1/28/2016 11:45:31

I agree with you when you said Hollis shouldn't have Josie drive to the branches and convincing her there. Josie was mentally ill and she shouldn't of done that

Alexa

1/27/2016 13:46:03

I believe Hollis was wrong to do the things she has done. My firts reason she is wrong because firstly she knew Josie had a disease and she used her for herself which I think is wrong. Secondly she had been misbehaving and skipping school which is her only form of education and she is taking it for granted which is selfish. Thirdly she broke into the Regan's home which is a crime. My last reason is she was stealing and that is also very wrong of her to do. I understand she's an orphan and all but she knows what she's doing is wrong. I think she needs theraphy so she can talk about her problems with a perfesional and become a better person. Who agrees with me here?

Rose

1/27/2016 14:17:56

I disagree about some of Hollis's decisions. The first is, she should not have stole the candy. She could have organized a trade of some sort. Also Hollis had no real reason to skip school. She wanted to stay with Josie, but not learning can hurt you mentally. Also she was accused of breaking and entering the Regan's summer house. She should have gone back to the Regan's so she could have asked them if she could use their summer house. Lastly, Hollis should not have brought Josie with her, Josie is mentally-ill. Hollis lied about why they went to the Regan's summer house. That might confuse Josie. "Over 5 million Americans of all ages have Alzheimer's disease in 2015. This includes an estimated 5 million people age 65 and older and approximately 200,000 individuals under age 65 who have younger-onset Alzheimer's. One in nine people age 65 and older (11 percent) has Alzheimer's disease."
I agree with a few Hollis's decisions. One is, Hollis's lying. She was lying so she could keep people (like Josie) from panicking. Also it was okay to run away from the agency and her foster parents. Some of them were mean to her so they deserved to be ran away from. Also sometimes she didn't want to be in a family, she just wanted to be alone. "The hard-to-believe figure, which of course includes the many innocent “white lies” we hear each day, was given further credence in a 2002 study by Robert Feldman of the University of Massachusetts, who found that on average, people told two to three lies in a ten-minute conversation." Sometimes Hollis did good decisions while sometimes she did bad ones.

Nina D

1/28/2016 11:47:27

I think you are right rose but i do think it was okay that she ran away from the houses because she did not like the family.

Makenna

1/27/2016 15:15:06

I think Hollis shouldn’t be punished. She did do a lot of bad things, like skipping school stealing and many other things. However, Hollis is doing those things to make sure Josie is alright. She also has gone through a lot of hard times and she doesn’t know how to act about in hard situations. Also she has never have been truly loved by a family member. She doesn’t have a family to teach her manners and talk to her about her behavior. Hollis was trying to do the right thing even though she ran away from foster homes and tricks people and she lies I don’t think she should be punished.

Rebecca

1/27/2016 19:39:47

I agree with that because Hollis didn't mean to do all those bad things,she just tried to fix problems,even if it meant breaking rules.

Sophia

1/27/2016 19:45:17

I totally agree! She was a foster kid her whole life so she never knew how to respond to real life situations. Like how she didn't know what the right or wrong thing to do was.

Anna

1/27/2016 19:53:07

I really like how you mentioned that she does not know how to act in hard situations.

Aurora

1/28/2016 11:47:36

I agree with you. She should not be punished.

Eva

1/27/2016 16:37:10

I think Hollis was wrong. I think this because she did many things wrong for example when she runs away. It is dangerous doing things like that because the agency could of never found her. She tricked Josie and she was mentally ill, she took advantage of Josie so she could break into a house on someone else's property. She missed school and that was wrong because she wasn't getting the education that the agency thought she was. She also stole someone's personal belonging.

Allison

1/27/2016 17:31:50

I agree! But I think she was right to run from people she didn't like.

Heidi

1/28/2016 11:45:56

I think that it was a bad thing for Hollis to take advantage of Josie too!Also i agree with you that she wasn't getting the education she needed.

Colin

1/27/2016 16:46:51

I think that Hollis was wrong. Hollis skipped school and she wasn't even sick. She could have missed something important and she would have a worse chance of getting a good grade. It would be better if she went to school so she would understand what they were learning better. Also she broke into a house and that is against the law so she shouldn't have done that. Even though she broke the law she shouldn't go to jail because she would have died if she didn't brake in. Hollis had no gas to go anywhere and she was in the freezing cold. That's why I think Hollis shouldn't have done what she did.

Alex

1/27/2016 18:28:49

I like how you used that she could have missed something important because she probably missed important things.

Alex

1/27/2016 16:57:21

I think Hollis was wrong but she shouldn't serve time. I think she was wrong because she broke the law by breaking and entering. I think she shouldn't serve time for this because it was what she had to do to stay with someone she liked. Also she skipped school at Josie's. I think she shouldn't be punished for this because she wanted to spend time with Josie. I would recommend to Hollis to use the phone at the grocery store to call the Regans ask if she could go in there house. That is why I think Hollis is wrong.

James

1/27/2016 19:41:54

I agree! I think it's a good idea for Hollis to use the phone and ask if she could stay.

Jamie

1/27/2016 17:20:48

I agree with Hollis Woods for doing some of the things she did but I do disagree with other things that she did. For instance she ran away from the houses before the Regan's and I think that was a good idea. I think this because people like the stucco woman seemed the be mean to Hollis. I also understand why she ran away from the Regan's. She ran away because she thought she was causing problems like Steven and the Old Man fighting. If I thought that I was causing problems, then I might leave too.
But I didn't think that Hollis should have taken Josie with her to Branches. I don't think that she should have done this because it was really cold outside and Josie and herself could get frostbite or get very cold. Also It wasn't safe for Josie to be driving. It was very snowy and the roads were probably very slippery. Also since Josie forgets a lot of things she might fall asleep when Hollis wasn't looking or forget that she was driving. But I don't think that Hollis should really get punished for doing any of this because everything turned out fine. But if she does something bad like this again then she should get punished, but not too badly.

amanda

1/27/2016 21:31:53

I agree with you, and I really liked how you explained why you agreed or disagreed for everything. Great job!

Sophia

1/27/2016 17:39:02

I think that Hollis was right to do the things she did. I think this because if Hollis had never ran away from any foster homes she never would of met Josie. Also I think that she had the rights to run away from all the foster homes without telling anyone because she doesn't like to talk much and it would be awkward for her to tell the foster parents she didn't like them. I also think Hollis had the rights to skip school because she had already been through so much and she had just met the nicest foster parent she ever had. Also the schools teachers and students were mean to her and she was mean to them so she just needed a little brake. Obviously she could of told someone she would be missing school but over all I don't think Hollis was wrong to do any of the things she did.

Julianne

1/27/2016 19:23:36

I disagree with some of your comment. I think that Hollis was wrong to skip school because getting bad grades could effect her future by making her not be able to get into college, and without going to college she might have to spend the rest of her life bagging groceries at the grocery store and not getting enough money to survive.

Derek

1/27/2016 17:44:38

I think Hollis was wrong but I think she shouldn't go to jail. Breaking and entering and robbery is actually a criminal act. I think she shouldn't be sent to jail though. She never had family to fix her problems when she made them so they stayed with her for her whole life.Also she ran away from families and was very bad at school. This was very wrong and bad.She did this because she had no one to talk to about her feelings. Thats why I think she should be forgiven.

Aidan

1/27/2016 18:17:49

Derek I thought the same thing. She should not be punished but should learn that you can't do what you want always.

Aurora

1/27/2016 17:45:46

I think Hollis was wrong but that doesn't mean she has to be punished. Children raised in orphanages have an IQ 20 points lower than their peers in foster care.
That is why she skipped school.
Nearly 25% of youth aging out did not have a high school diploma or GED, and a mere 6% had finished a two- or four-year degree after aging out of foster care. One study shows 70% of all youth in foster care have the desire to attend college.
That too. That is why she should not be in trouble for skipping school.

Jamie

1/28/2016 11:46:56

I really like this post because it looks like you did a lot of research! I liked the fact that you put in that says that 25% of youth aging don't have a high school diploma. Awesome job!

Quinn

9/17/2017 20:23:58

Good evidence! :D :P

Nina D

1/27/2016 17:54:29

I think Hollis's actions were wrong. First she stole Izzy's candy without replacing it. She should have replaced it by buying it at a store or something. Another thing she did was break into the Ragen's house. Should have said something to them by asking them. Also she skipped school. She shouldn't have skipped because she needs to learn to get through life and be smart. Lastly Hollis ran away from the houses. Should not have ran away she should have told the agency that she did not want to be there.

Nate D.

1/27/2016 17:57:28

I think that Hollis was wrong about the actions she did. I think this because Hollis skipped school, she broke in and stole somebody's, house, she took a mentally ill person to go with her, she lied to many people, and she skipped school. I think this because usually, it is illegal to break in someone's house and steal from people. I think if other people have to go to jail because they stole, then I think that Hollis should go with them. Also, skipping school isn't good for you brain because if you don't go to school, you won't know how to work through problems later in your life. I also think that using someone that is mentally ill to go with your plans should be illegal because the person might not know what they are doing and just going with the plan because they don't know what else to do. I think that lying to people is also not right because they do not know what is happening. They might know something that is happening, but they would not know what is happening. I think Hollis did the wrong and she should somehow be punished.

Aidan

1/27/2016 18:15:30

I think that what Hollis did is wrong. It is wrong but she should not have to go to Juvenile Detention. She was trying to make her life how she wanted it but her way was not always just. She ran away from homes causing people lots of trouble looking for her and she also caused herself lots of trouble. She would steal from people to make her life easier. She should have to pay those people back for what she did and tell them that what she did is not right. She convinced Josie that they were going on an adventure when she really was taking her to brake into the regains house in the branches. Finally she was skipping school. If you skip school your parents can be find or taken away from you. Hollis was doing these things to help her survive and she did but these actions will have consequences that will effect her and her families.

Bob

1/27/2016 18:42:46

Aidan I totally agree with you because Hollis did do all those bad things but she shouldn't get punished because she's only a girl and she does these things so she can survive

Derek

1/28/2016 11:54:46

I agree. All those things she did were wrong. But she was just trying to make her life easier. She had to do all those wrong things she did.

Jack

1/27/2016 18:16:33

I think Hollis was right. I think this because she ran away from every family except the Regan’s because they treated her badly. She skipped school because no one every treated her nice. She never had anyone who understood her Except Steven. Hollis tricked Josie so Josie could be taken care of and so Hollis could be with someone she loved. Hollis broke into a house so she and Josie could survive. And last she stole so that they would have food. Now do you think Hollis is right?

Colin

1/27/2016 20:08:40

Even though I think she is wrong that was a very convincing paragraph.

Rose

1/27/2016 18:38:25

I agree that what Hollis did was wrong and I agree with your last sentence. There were consequences to her actions. But I also disagree. She ran away from foster families that were mean to her.

Ryan

1/27/2016 18:41:17

I think Hollis was wrong. Hollis ran away from a lot of houses and could've got starved or kidnapped. Also Hollis skipped school with nothing wrong with her, and you'll need to be some sort of educated to live life. Hollis stole good valuables from houses without permission from someone and that's wrong! Finally, Hollis tricked a mentally ill person to break into a house, and even if you're going through hardships its just wrong to trick a mentally ill person!

Christopher

1/28/2016 11:46:29

I like your post because I agree with everything you posted. I do think you are missing one little thing though, I think you should of said if Hollis should get a punishment or not.

Christopher Utley

1/27/2016 18:53:40

I disagree with Hollis actions, but she should not be punished. I think she should not be punished because she is an orphan and she has been through many sad and rough experiences with out any family to help her through them or to love her and care for her. She may need a little mental attention because she forces a mentally ill person to help her. I would not punish her for stealing and skipping school because it is not as bad as the other bad things she has done. This is why Hollis was wrong but she should not be punished, but she might need some mental attention.

Kieran

1/27/2016 20:28:05

I like your post because I agree with you and the connection you made about how orphans have hard times.

Julianne

1/27/2016 19:15:30

I think that what Hollis did was wrong most of the time, but it wasn't her fault. It wasn't wrong for Hollis to run away from all the foster parents that were mean to her, because it was the Agency's fault for putting her with bad people, but it was wrong for her to break into the Reagans house and steal things. It was wrong, but nobody taught her right from wrong, because nobody cared about her enough. It would have been better for her to have gone to where the Reagans were currently living and ask them for help. I would teach Hollis what she could do better in stead of punishing Hollis for her actions.

amanda

1/27/2016 19:20:36

I agree with some if Hollis’s actions. I think that since she is an orphan, no body actually taught her how to be a good person or what is right and wrong. But I think that she shouldn’t have stolen Izzy’s candy because that could lead to consequences and she could have easily made a trade with Izzy so that it wouldn’t be stealing. Besides that, I do still believe that Hollis always thought that she was doing the right thing. She had a lot of depressing events going on in her life which might have caused her to not know what to do in certain situations. Along with that, Hollis did a lot for Josie. She kind of had to take care of her when Josie would forget things. I don’t think Hollis even realized she was making a mentally-ill person help her and was living at her house. It would be better if she had someone that was always there for her and that she knew she could talk to about anything.

Rebecca

1/27/2016 19:36:01

I think Hollis was right. I think this because if Hollis didn't do all those things she might not be with the Reagan's now.Hollis may have done some bad things but they were for good reasons. Also the only reason she ran away from the foster family's is because the people didn't treat her right or she didn't think she belonged there.Hollis also only skipped school because she didn't want to leave Josie.Even tho Hollis stole things from the Reagan's she said she would pay back somehow.Hollis did bad things but she always paid back somehow or she was just really sorry for doing those things.

James

1/27/2016 19:39:33

I think that Hollis is wrong about the choices she made. Hollis tricked Josie, who is mentally ill. That is mean and wrong because she was able to get her way easier and say that what she's doing is right not wrong. Hollis also broke into a house. That isn't right and she could get arrested for that. Inside the house she ate their food as well. Finally, Hollis skips school. That won't help her in the future by knowing lots of facts and strategies. It also won't give her that well of a collage degree.

Jack

1/28/2016 07:44:30

I do not agree with you, but I see how you could think she was wrong. You have to consider though she did it to survive.

Anna

1/27/2016 19:50:10

I think Hollis could have made better actions but she should not get punished for them. She did run away from her foster homes without them knowing but they could have been mean. She also broke into a house but it was to protect herself and a mentally ill, elderly woman.Even if she did commit some crimes she is just a kid and she is trying to help herself and somebody else.

Kieran

1/27/2016 20:25:39

Overall, I think Hollis was wrong because even if Hollis has been through some rough times, skipping school and breaking and entering the Regans' house is no way to behave. I do feel some empathy for Hollis because she has been through some rough times as an orphan. In conclusion I think Hollis is 50% right and 50% wrong.

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