The Hollow Inside
on Goodreads (1,402)
What’s inside...
Seventeen-year-old Phoenix has spent much of her life drifting from town to town with her mom, using their charms to swindle and steal. Now in her mom's hometown, Jasper Hollow, their plan is to bring down Ellis Bowman, the man who ruined her mother's life. As Phoenix infiltrates the Bowman family, she uncovers secrets and finds herself embroiled in a story of death and disappearance that contradicts her mother's account. Debut author Brooke Lauren Davis explores themes of morality, choices, and truth in this gripping and twisty YA debut.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
11-12
Length
375 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How do you think Phoenix's relationship with her mother influenced her decisions throughout the story?
What did you learn about forgiveness and redemption from the characters' experiences?
Why do you think secrets played a big part in the story? How do secrets affect relationships?
In what ways did the characters show strength and resilience in facing their challenges?
How do you think the setting of the story influenced the events that unfolded?
Tip: Role play these questions
Start the conversation by sharing your own thoughts on the book to make your child more comfortable in expressing their opinions.
Ask your child to relate the situations in the book to their personal experiences or feelings, fostering a deeper connection to the themes.
Encourage your child to think about what they might have done differently if they were in the characters' shoes, cultivating empathy and critical thinking.
Discuss the moral implications of the characters' actions and decisions to promote ethical thinking.
Validate your child’s responses and thoughts, ensuring they feel heard and appreciated throughout the discussion.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Resilience in the face of adversity
Explanation: The protagonist, Phoenix, demonstrates resilience as she navigates challenging circumstances in pursuit of truth and justice.
Real-World Application: Children learn to persevere through their own struggles, understanding that challenges can be overcome with determination.
Example Lesson: The importance of forgiveness
Explanation: Throughout the story, themes of forgiveness emerge as characters grapple with their past actions and relationships.
Real-World Application: This lesson teaches children the power of forgiving others and themselves, fostering a positive environment for emotional growth.
Example Lesson: Understanding and embracing complexity in people
Explanation: The story portrays characters with complex motives and backgrounds, highlighting that people are not just 'good' or 'bad'.
Real-World Application: Children learn to appreciate the complexity in people around them, promoting empathy and reducing quick judgments.
Example Lesson: The value of truth
Explanation: Phoenix’s journey underlines the importance of uncovering and confronting the truth, no matter how difficult.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to seek truth in their interactions and understand its importance in building trust and integrity.
Example Lesson: The impact of one's actions on others
Explanation: Characters in the book face consequences from their actions which affect others around them, highlighting the interconnectedness of society.
Real-World Application: Teaches children to consider the consequences their actions may have on others, promoting responsible decision-making.