Paterson, Katherine. The Great Gilly Hopkins. HarperCollins (1987). ISBN-10: 0064402010

Plot Summary

The Great Gilly Hopkins, by Katherine Paterson, is about a girl who desperately wants to be with her mother. She is in the foster care system, and she believes that if she behaves badly enough, she will be sent to her real mother who happens to live in California. Gilly is not a nice girl. At the beginning of the story, she is mean, sneaky, and manipulative. And, she hates everyone around her. Although she has been placed with Mrs. Trotter, she is determined to get herself kicked out of the house. Eventually, she even tries to run away!

Critical Evaluation

This book is filled with emotion! Gilly is a funny and truly likeable character with a foul mouth. As readers, we travel with Gilly along her continuous struggle for emotional survival. She is a child who is seeking to find herself in a world without stability. Over time, Gilly changes from a racist, mean, conniving thief into a loveable human being. This book is perfect for all ages.

Reader's Annotation

Will Gilly make it to California and her mother? Find out in The Great Gilly Hopkins, by Katherine Paterson.

About the Author

Katherine Paterson was born in China in 1932. Patterson’s parents were missionaries, eventually returning to the U.S. after the 1937 Japanese invasion of China. Because the family moved often, Paterson attended over a dozen schools by the time she graduated from high school in 1950. It was difficult for her to make new friends, and her school years would eventually become a huge influence in her writing. In 1954, Paterson graded from King College in Tennessee where she studied literature. After spending some time as an elementary school teacher, she decided to become a missionary. She received her master’s degree in English Bible and Christian Education in 1957.

Eventually Paterson decided that she wanted to become a writer. But, most of her initial works were rejected by publishers. A friend later suggested that Paterson take an adult education course on creative writing, after which she took a class on writing for children. During this class, Paterson wrote her first novel, The Sign of the Chrysanthemum, which was set in Japan, and was released after years of revisions in 1973.

To date, Katherine Paterson has written over two dozen books, and won over fifty awards. Nearly all of her books have won multiple awards; Bridge to Terabithia, for which she is perhaps most well known, won eight awards, including the 1978 Newbery Medal.

Genre

Realistic Fiction

Curriculum Ties

Language Arts
Health

Booktalking Ideas

Have you been looking for the perfect book – one that will make you laugh and cry? I have the book for you! Katherine Paterson’s The Great Gilly Hopkins is about a girl who learns to survive the trials of foster care. She is an angry girl who discovers that love is just around the corner. This book is sure to make you a Katherine Paterson fan!

Reading Level/Interest Age

Ages 9-12,

Reason for Book Selection

I have always loved this book. I think I even have a little “Gilly” that lives inside of me!