I read it in 4th grade. Some language.
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The Great Gilly Hopkins
(1978, Fiction - Family Life, Written by Katherine Paterson)
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Is it age appropriate?
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Not age appropriate for kids under 8, age appropriate for kids over 11; suggested age 11. -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
A great choice for reluctant readers.
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 11 and Up
What to watch out for
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Violence:
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Sex:
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Language:
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Consumerism:
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Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
About The Great Gilly Hopkins
Parents need to know that this book is highly appealing, especially to kids beginning to rebel against authority. Fresh and inventive writing keeps readers engrossed.
Read our full review by Monica Wyatt
Families Can Talk About
- Families can talk about expectations. Why are Gilly's expectations for her mother so high? How does Gilly try to protect herself from disappointment?
Our Members Say
See all 13 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
- I rate this title iffy for age 10 and give itMy concerns are:
- Inappropriate language
- Negative role models
Okay but.....
- I rate this title on for age 11 and give itMy concerns are:
- Inappropriate language
- My highlights are:
- Educational
Not for everyone
Mr. Kurz Per. 1 The Great Gilly Hopkins by Katherine Paterson is a realistic fiction novel that begins in Thompson Park, Maryland in the 1970s. Gilly, the main character, is a smart but very violent girl who is motivated to find her mother. She has been moving around as a foster child for eight years and tries to sabotage every relationship she has. Trotter, Gilly’s new foster mother, is a loving, caring person, but Gilly does not want to have anything to do with her. Two of her other disappointments at Trotter’s are her new foster brother, W.E., who she thinks may be retarded, and her blind neighbor, Mr. Randolph, who happens to be black. Slowly, throughout the book, Gilly’s feelings begin to change. After receiving a letter from Courtney, Gilly writes a letter back to her mother with false information exaggerating how unhappy she was at Trotter’s. She hopes this letter will re-unite her with Courtney; however, it drastically changes Gilly’s life in a way that she didn’t intend. The author shows how hard the life of a foster parent or child can be, being that she herself was only able to handle that responsibility for a few months. Some of the lessons that Paterson teaches through Gilly’s experiences are that life does not always have a happy ending, and people should find something positive in their lives and make the best of it. This book is realistic in that it includes real-life problems and believable characters. Clever similes and metaphors are placed throughout the story, while characterization is incorporated to keep readers gripped. Paterson effectively changes the mood and pace at which the story is read, and breaks up narration with dialogue. The writing leads readers to believe the story will go one way, when suddenly the plot takes a sudden turn. Every time a reader comes to the end of a chapter, Paterson makes them want to read more with clever foreshadowing. This book best fits a young, mature reader, but it is recommended to people who enjoy emotional, unique books. Foster children who are disappointed with their lives, could learn to make the best of it, while foster parents will be able to relate to Trotter as they probably had to deal with kids like Gilly.
- I rate this title iffy for age 9 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Negative role models
good but bad rolemodels.
i thought this book was awsome! but i have to admit Gilly isnt a good role model she steals things, swaers, and is someone that nobody wants to be around.
- I rate this title iffy for age 10 and give itMy concerns are:
- Inappropriate language
- My highlights are:
umm good for 4th to 6 th graders
i think this is a good book very entertaining
- I rate this title on for age 6 and give it
My uncle gave me this book when I turned eight and i loved it. many kids would enjoy
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Ratings at a Glance
| 50% | of parents say it's educational |
| 50% | of parents don't feel there are good role models |
| 50% | of parents say it has language their kids can't use |
| 50% | of parents say it's too violent |
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