As I began to read the selection, I was unnerved somewhat by Gilly's frequent uses of profanity. I thought this be unsuitable in a book intended for children. However, as I progressed, I realized that his provided the reader with an essential character trait of the young lady. From years of being shuffled from one home to another, Gilly had become angry and mistrusting of others. Her language and actions were defense mechanisms she used to cope with her feelings of unworthiness.

I could relate to the child's prejudices because as an African-American, I have been witness to some of the same ignorance possessed by the story's central character. It is admirable of the author to include such thinking for it promotes discussion about how we see each other.

The supporting characters are memorable and well developed. From the kindness of the overweight Maime Trotter to the poetry-reciting blind Mr. Randolph, the "people" in the story are so realistically portrayed that the reader cannot help but have concern for them. Honestly speaking, I almost shed a tear when Gilly had to leave her new "family."

Speaking of Gilly, the young lady changes from an angry child to a loving individual who discovers that life is not always the way it's supposed to be.

In an era when foster families and abandoned children abound, this book speaks to all of us. It shows how important the family unit is, how children need support, and how we are dependent on each other.

Such a simple message this is, unfortunately, forgotten by most.


The Wacky Family   March 4, 2004
7 out of 7 found this review helpful

The Great Gilly Hopkins

The main character Gilly Hopkins is a self centered unloved 6th grader. In less than 3 years, she's been moved to 3 foster homes. When she meets her new foster family, which consists of a fat lady, named Trotter, a punny retarded 7-year-old William Ernest and a blind black old man Randolph. She tries lots of things to get away from them and the old run down house. She even steals, cleans and gives William Ernest reading lessons. She does all that hard work just to get caught. The one-day she gets taken away to live with her grandma and then she realizes how much she loves and misses her foster Family. Then she meets her real mom and finds out she doesn't love her. Next she figures out that the Trotters love her and she loves them.

I thought it was great how Gilly changed so much and how she learned it was okay to be loved and love. I really enjoyed when she was teaching William Ernest how to fight and stand up for himself and I need to learn how to stand up for myself. I thought it was a wonderful book with lots of detail and feelings that a kid might feel in their everyday life.


Made me cry, and I don't like to cry.   January 21, 1998
15 out of 18 found this review helpful

The Great Gilly Hopkins by Katherine Paterson. Another junior literature book--do you sense I have a 9 year old reader? This book made me cry. But I couldn't really cry because I was reading out loud to my daughter; and crying and reading--especially in voice--don't mix. So I just streamed tears and read, in voice, but with a slightly constricted throat. Afterwords I suffered the requisite headache one gets from not crying when you need to cry, which made me feel what was the use of holding back. I don't think Camden noticed any of this because she was completely swept away with the anger and passion of the lead character, Galadriel "Gilly" Hopkins. Gilly is a foster child who is very smart, and tougher than any kid--boy or girl in her school. Her life is based on this toughness born out of a of an indiscrimate hate and resentment of life. Along the way, the hard way, she learns about love and family and committment, and, well, loss and the consequences of one's actions. Did I mention previously about injustice and cruelty of life? Some pretty harsh language that I found myself editing out as I read, but a beautiful moving book.


Great? Honey, she's fabulous.   February 1, 2004
E. R. Bird (Manhattan, NY)
17 out of 22 found this review helpful

Let me begin by giving full praise to the original cover of "The Great Gilly Hopkins". I've seen the reissued covers and they fill me with sadness. On the original front cover is Gilly Hopkins herself. Hands placed firmly on her waist, elbows akimbo, she's blowing a bubble the size of her head. Her hair is short and mousy colored and she's wearing a shirt that I myself wore, I'm certain, in 1982. On the back cover the bubble has popped all over her face, giving her an odd bubbley mask. Compare such a beautiful illustration of this human being with the current spunky pink cheeked aw-ain't-she-sweet kid on the current covers. For shame, Mr. Publisher. For shame.

Now this book is great. Doggone it, I do this with every Katherine Paterson book. I walk in with the vague hope of not hating the book (paging "Bridge to Terebithia") and end up loving it as much as everyone else in the world loves it. What is not to like about this book? You begin with a thoroughly unlikable character. Sure, maybe she's been having some ups and downs in her life, but she's a racist, thieving, conniving little brat. And doggone it if you don't end up loving the little whelp by the end. Gilly changes, the reader changes with her, and the people around her are great. And the ending is far from perfect for poor Gilly, but she did bring it on herself and she's strong enough to survive it. The book's got pep, the girl's got pep, and the whole thing is thoroughly enjoyable. Two thumbs way way up for the Gilly gal.


Having Read This as a Kid   July 19, 2002
Anna Grapple (Seattle)
6 out of 7 found this review helpful

I read and RE-read this book about 100 times as a pre-teen and teenager. I found it absolutely fascinating because I didn't know anyone like Gilly in the real world.

Evidently some parents aren't giving their kids enough credit when it comes to reading books that have curse words or so called "questionable" issues. This is the real world and it has plenty of angry, hurt, and confused foster kids, cursing, and racial inequality. I was only about 10 or 11 when I first read the book and reading it did not make me cuss or use racial slurs. I inherently knew that the subject material must be sensitive and to me it was eye-opening. As I got older I read and re-read the book and learned more every time.

Parents, give your children more credit and if you don't like the book then talk to your kids about it. If nothing else it will facilitate a meaningful conversation about people that you may otherwise not have in your life. Do not make the mistake of simply not reading it because of these other poor reviews.