It's amazing how Katherine Patterson can create this character, make me not like her, and then break my heart for her. Patterson is one of the greatest, ever.

Gilly has moved from one foster home to another for years and is tough and angry. She hides her mother's picture in her suitcase and longs to be with her. She uses a lot of bad language (no f-bombs; this is a kid's book), but by the end of the book, the ugliness isn't Gilly's vocabulary or the blind old man next door or her hugely obese, sloppy, and loving foster mother. What is truly ugly is Courtney, over whose beautiful picture Gilly has been yearning all her life. We get so little information on her, but what little shows her as selfish, cold, and uncaring.



Important themes to discuss would be how appearances can be deceiving and what a true family is (those who are there to love you) and that life is not easy but hard and challenging. Also I think there's a lesson to be learned about not yearning for the unattainable but to look around you and appreciate what you have. To me, Gilly is not loveable, but she deserves to be loved! When she learns to accept the love that is given and give it back, I cried!

I forgot about how racist Gilly is at the beginning of this book; that really took me aback. Still, this is such a good book and carries such a strong message of love and growth and found family. I love little Galadriel Hopkins.

I really liked how the author gave Gilly such an amazing personality, I really felt like I could see how she would talk or react to certain things. I also thought that her world was very well described, unlike a lot of books.

I don’t really have anything in common with Gilly however, I definitely feel like I learned a lot about her and her personality throughout the book. Taking a look at the beginning of the book, Gilly definitely seemed to grow a lot as a character. Most definitely a book I’d read again.

Summary: Gilly Hopkins, who has lived in several foster homes, finds herself moving in with yet another foster family. She doesn't feel at all that this is the right home for her, and she harbors dreams of going back to live with her mother.

Response: I had a very mixed response to the book. On the one hand, it is a very well-told, hard-edged story that respectfully explores the feelings of a girl who has had a difficult time. Gilly has grown so distrustful of forming attachments, that she tries really hard to push people away before they can begin to get close. Katherine Paterson has a great deal of respect for Gilly, and Gilly comes across as very real - neither the tough-as-nails orphan or the lovable, misunderstood imp. Likewise, the new foster "family" starts out as three people for whom Gilly feels only contempt, and both the reader and Gilly get to know them in all their complexities throughout the novel.
On the other hand, Gilly is such a tough character, that I had a hard time picturing how I would introduce her to my students or my children. Perhaps Gilly is someone older kids would be ready to meet. Gilly is so mean and unpleasant at times that, although the portrayal is realistic, I almost felt like I would hesitate to introduce her to kids just the same way Mrs. Trotter hesitates to introduce her to W.E. Perhaps, like Mrs. Trotter and Ms. Harris, I need to give Gilly a chance - a chance that I would be willing to take with older readers who would not be put off by (or be only to happy to follow) Gilly's initial example of behavior, but who would be willing to wait to find out how Gilly might turn out.
From a multicultural literature perspective, Gilly represents a less-than-visible member of society by being a foster child. Telling Gilly's story is presenting us with a picture of a non-traditional, but ultimately loving picture of a family. Her story also gives voice to children who might otherwise remain unheard. The story also presents Gilly with a blind, African-American next-door neighbor, a developmentally-disabled foster brother, and an African-American teacher. Gilly is forced to confront some of her own preconceived notions and get to know each of these people on their own merits, and each relationship ultimately helps her grow stronger.

CONTEMPORARY REALISTIC FICTION

Can't believe I never read this before. It was truly wonderful. Much better than Bridge to Terabithia for my taste.

Well, shit.

The first time I tried to read this book, I hated it and stopped reading after a few chapters. The next few times I tried to read this book, I still hated it and, again, stopped after a few chapters. I skipped to the end and was glad that Gilly had gotten what she deserved.

So tell me why, after all those attempts, I went back to this book in an attempt to read it AGAIN. I guess the umpteenth time must be the charm, or perhaps I have grown as a reader and have learned not to judge the whole book on the initial attitude of its main character.

This time around, I pushed past my dislike for the main character and learned to "listen" to what she is trying to say. This time around, I was enthralled by the story and its charming cast of characters. This time around, I loved the book so much that I immediately watched the movie afterward, and I know I will watch it again as well as read the book again.

This time around, I loved the Great Gilly Hopkins. And any reader who is generous enough to give her half a chance (as Maime Trotter, Mr. Randolph, and Miss Harris do) will learn, by book's end, to love her too.

Viena iš smarkiai į sąmonę įsėdusių vaikystės knygų, kurias tada sunkiai supratau - kaip tai mama neaugina savo vaiko? kaip tai globėjų šeimos viena po kitos? kaip tai aklas senolis, gyvenantis vienas? Taip, taip, aš aiškiai gyvenau saugiame šeimos burbule. Tikrai labai graži ir šilta knyga apie ... ko gero apie atsakomybę, sugebėjimą suvokti ką turi ir tai vertinti. Ir atjautą.

2020 Popsugar Challenge-Read a banned book during Banned Books Week

This book has been challenged/banned for strong language and racist content.

Language. Gilly is angry through much of the book and it comes out in her behavior and the way she talks. Her language feels true to life to me for a girl in her situation.

Racist Comments. Yes, they are there. They illustrate Gilly's defensive nature and lack of understanding. There are also comments about overweight people and Gilly uses the "r" word in reference to her foster brother having a hard time reading. As the book progresses Gilly's views do as well. I grew to love Gilly as she learned to love and trust others.

Should say written by The Great Katherine Paterson.

I have to wonder would Gilly get published today? I love her foul mouth. When she says, "Dammit, Trotter. Don't try to make a stinking Christian out of me." I about died! That has to be one children literature's all time best lines.

Well that was a lot more depressing than I remembered it being from my childhood. This is a great story about not appreciating what you have while striving for something you don't really know. When you get it you're supposed to be happy, right? Apparently not.