The Great Gilly Hopkins

Author: Katherine Paterson
Copyright Date: 1978
Publisher: Harper & Row Publishers
Number of Pages: 148
Reading Level: Ages 9-12
Genre: Realistic Fiction

Summary

This is the story of eleven-year-old Galadriel (Gilly) Hopkins. She's a foster child, and at the beginning of the book finds herself going to a new home with a lady known as Trotter, and a boy named William Earnest. Gilly is a very stubborn, sassy child who likes to get her own way and often makes it a goal to cause a lot of trouble. Throughout her stay with Trotter, she eventually comes to love her, W.E., and their neighbor, Mr. Randolph. One day she receives a letter from her biological mother, Courtney, who lives in California. This makes Gilly long to go see her, and she steals money from Mr. Randolph and Trotter to try to buy a bus ticket. As consequence of this action, Courtney asks her mother, who prefers to be called Nonnie, to take Gilly home to live with her. Courtney comes to Nonnie's house to visit for a few days, and Gilly realizes that Courtney was only paid to come and that she didn't really want to be there and didn't really want Gilly. Hurt, she calls Trotter and says she's going to come home.

Reaction

I actually really enjoyed this book. There were some things about it I didn't like and wish that it didn't have, however I thought it was great that Gilly was able to overcome past feelings and learn to love those around her.

Recommendations

I would recommend this for the age level listed above. It's a good story and talks about love and loss.

Problems/Conflicts

Gilly is somewhat of a trouble-maker, and she cusses a lot. Also, there's some talk about how Courtney doesn't even want her own daughter, which is a really deep idea that some people may not want their children to read.