The timeless Newbery Honor Book from bestselling author Katherine Paterson about a wisecracking, ornery, completely unforgettable young heroine.
Eleven-year-old Gilly has been stuck in more foster families than she can remember, and she's hated them all. She has a reputation for being brash, brilliant, and completely unmanageable, and that's the way she likes it. So when she's sent to live with the Trotters—by far the strangest family yet—she knows it's only a temporary problem.
Gilly decides to put her sharp mind to work and get out of there fast. She's determined to no longer be a foster kid. Before long she's devised an elaborate scheme to get her real mother to come rescue her. Unfortunately, the plan doesn't work out quite as she hoped it would...
This classic middle grade novel has moved generations of readers and inspired a major motion picture starring Octavia Spencer, Kathy Bates, Glenn Close, and Danny Glover. The acclaim for the book included the National Book Award, the Christopher Award, and the Jane Addams Award.
The joys and struggles of adoption, told in a real and accessible way, are beautifully expressed in Katherine Paterson's The Great Gilly Hopkins. Don't miss it!
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"This book is so amazing! I have read it numerous times at all ages in my life. (although I must say my cover art was way better than the ones I found on here lol). The author does a great job of tapping into emotion without actually mentioning it to your face."
— Brook (5 out of 5 stars)
“Not to be missed, Bresnahan’s reading of this Newbery Honor book and National Book Award winner adds a rich dimension to Gilly’s story.”
— AudioFile“Without a hint of the prevailing maudlin realism, Paterson takes up a common ‘problem situation and makes it genuinely moving, frequently funny, and sparkling with memorable encounters.”
— Kirkus Reviews" Very good book. Had many touching moments. Some dated parts, but overall still holds today. "
— Victoria, 2/18/2014" I haven't read anything I didn't love by Katherine Patterson. She's also a lovely human being--I spent some time with her in an NJ bookstore. "
— Marilyn, 2/9/2014" This book was the bane of my existance when I read it in 5th grade. They wouldn't let me give it 0 stars, so will will have to do, but remember it is a gross overstatement. "
— Mike, 1/30/2014" Maime Trotter is a hero of sorts. Love, simplicity, good sense. "
— Carrie, 1/18/2014" Good story about a tough foster child who learns that people are not what you first think of them. "
— Elizabeth, 1/7/2014" Wonderful book. So perfect in every way. I love Gilly. "
— Susan, 1/7/2014" I like this book. I think Gilly is smart and sassy "
— Tyrese, 1/5/2014" omg evry1 shuld read this book! i ssssssssssoooooooooo recommend it! its hilarious! "
— Sydney, 12/23/2013" Loved this book as a kid. "
— Mindi, 12/21/2013" Story of an 11 year old girl in foster care, waiting for her mother to come for her. This doesn't have a HEA ending but is more happy than many foster care kids get. It is a real look at how a tough kid would view life. "
— Lea, 9/19/2013" I sobbed when I finished this. Children's lit is every bit as good as adult lit, if not better. "
— Amanda, 9/4/2013" Love this book! Really demonstrates a transition in personality from beginning to the end of the book. "
— Shreya, 8/27/2013" it was very good and sad at the end "
— Remi, 5/11/2013" I loved this book; I really enjoyed Gilly's attitude. I also enjoyed seeing how much she changed throughout the book. I used this book for my banned book. This book had some language in it that makes it a banned book. "
— Nichole, 5/9/2013" Our 6th grade teacher read it to us. I remember the characters name.. I liked it. "
— travelmel, 2/17/2013" Gilly is a survivor and she is going to make it no matter what - but she learns that sometimes the cost isn't worth it. It doesn't feel good to make it if you leave others behind. A realistic portryal of a kid whose tough because she had to be. "
— Colleen, 1/23/2013" I can't remember the great thing(s) Gilly Hopkins did, but I think she was part of the foster child genre. "
— Needleroozer, 1/11/2013" Good Good Good "
— Kindred, 11/5/2012" I had to read this book in 5th grade and i really didnt like it! "
— Rayna, 7/6/2012" I love gilly! I f we lived in the smae house than that wold be a wonderful reality show that I would def watch "
— Vanessa, 6/24/2011" This book is very eye opening with foster children. However, I would not recommend this for youth because of the amount of bad language. "
— Sabrina, 6/4/2011" This story was much different than I thought it was origionally going to be. Towards the end, I was almost shocked, although, it was a very cute children's story. "
— Alexis, 5/17/2011" Short, sweet, and brilliant. "
— Mira, 5/7/2011" Not sure if I read this or not as a kid. I initially found Gilly to be abrasive, but she grows on you - just as she does on the other characters in the book. This is on Roxbury Prep's sixth grade reading list. "
— Sara, 5/5/2011" what a great book! who knew doing a book report could be so much fun? "
— Georgeson, 4/30/2011" Read for my 5th grade English class... man, that was ages ago. "
— Stockwell, 4/16/2011" This was a favorite from a friend's childhood. I am reading it for a group that I attend.<br/> "
— Donna, 4/14/2011" Really good. As in REALLY GOOD. :-) "
— Hannah, 4/12/2011" One of my top 20 favorite books. It is just such a cute story. A great book to teach in the middle grades because of strong characterization. Makes you wonder how your life would have been if you were a foster child. "
— Stephanie, 4/4/2011" One of those wonderful Newberry Honor required-reading books. Lord knows why. meh. <br/> <br/>Back to Jane Eyre. :) "
— Naomi, 3/5/2011" It was okay, I guess. Ending sorta sucked. I just don't get the purpose of the book. "
— Jessica, 3/2/2011" Gilly is a rather rude and disrespectful young woman and <br/>I would like to know what kids would think--certainly not <br/>a book I'd recommend. "
— Cheryl, 2/21/2011" I had a hard time getting through this book because of the language. It does have a good lesson to learn at the end. "
— Melani, 2/9/2011" Nice little story about a girl who loves to swear. "
— Amanda, 2/6/2011Katherine Paterson was born in China, where she spent part of her childhood. After her education in China and the American South, she spent four years in Japan, the setting for her first three novels. She has received numerous awards for her writing, including two National Book Awards and two Newbery Medals. An active promoter of reading and literacy, she lives with her husband in Barre, Vermont. They have four grown children.
Alyssa Bresnahan is a dynamic dancer, actor, and audiobook narrator. She has narrated over two hundred audiobooks, has earned twenty Earphones Awards, and was named one of AudioFile magazine’s Golden Voices. In 2009 she was a finalist for the prestigious Audie Award for best fiction narration.