The Great Gilly Hopkins

Book review by Monica Wyatt, Common Sense Media
The Great Gilly Hopkins Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 9+

Brash foster-kid tale a great choice for reluctant readers.

Katherine Paterson Family Life 1978
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Parents say

age 13+

Based on 8 reviews

Kids say

age 11+

Based on 23 reviews

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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this book.

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What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Newbery Honor book The Great Gilly Hopkins, by Katherine Paterson (Bridge to Terabithia), is the story of a girl who's been in foster care all her life and is fixated on the notion that everything would be better if her mother, who abandoned her, would come back to her. She holds onto this idea, especially when she's placed with the quirky Trotter family, which she eventually sees as not so bad after all. Gilly's intent on being unpleasant -- she beats up boys and terrorizes her teachers and a series of foster parents -- will appeal to kids beginning to rebel against authority. Fresh and inventive writing keeps readers engrossed, making this a great choice for reluctant readers.

Community Reviews

Amanda N.
Amanda N. Adult
September 5, 2020
age 18+

Ton of swearing throughout. Thanking the lords name in vein frequently.

I started This book as an audiobook as a family. The little girl is very rude, very judge mental etc. When we first came to when we first came to several cursewords we wanted to ride it out because we thought it would be a good story and I know the little girl is a foster child. Although we wished we had known of the words. If we had I would have read the book myself so I could skip the profanity. However half way through the cursing and the lords name in vein was so frequent we decided to stop reading the book. I would never want my children (not even my 11 year old) to read this on their own. Again you could read it out loud and skip those parts of you wanted to. I have read reviews where people make excuses for the language and other things but the fact is those thingS could have been conveyed without it!!!!!!

This title has:

Too much swearing
1 person found this helpful.
Desiree Nordstrom
Desiree Nordstrom Adult
June 15, 2020
age 12+

More than a few swear words

Takes the Lord's name in vain often. Says hell and damn quite a bit. Also calls others names for being over weight, old, religious, african american. I read this with my daughter and edited out the swear words. And we talked a lot about what Gilly would say being wrong and why. Glad I read this one with my daughter.

This title has:

Too much swearing
1 person found this helpful.
See all 8 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Gilly is one tough kid. She intends to destroy every one of her foster mothers so she can live with her mysterious real mother. She meets her match in Mrs. Trotter, an overweight, uneducated woman whose only weapon is total love for her foster kids. Can Gilly prevail against that?

Is It Any Good?

Katherine Paterson has created a believable character in Gilly, and readers learn how pain drives the bad behavior of this foster kid. Gilly ridicules Mrs. Trotter's deep religious faith and defies her at every turn, but she just can't escape the woman's relentless love. Readers will be satisfied with the ending, as Gilly resolves her issues and learns to love and be loved. A great choice for reluctant readers.

Talk to Your Kids 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?

  • How does Gilly compare with other strong female characters? What other books have you read that feature spunky, strong-willed girls?

  • What did you learn about the foster-care system from The Great Gilly Hopkins?

Book Details

Our Editors Recommend

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