Title: The Great Gilly Hopkins
Author: Katherine Paterson
Censorship Problems: Parents and teachers might be
put off by Gilly’s use of minor swearing.
Story Summary: Galadriel Hopkins, or Gilly, has been passed from
foster home to foster home for most of her life. Through all the moving
she has continued to fanaticize that her
mother would one day come
along and take her home. Through the disappointment she has had in
other foster homes and schools Gilly has become very stubborn,
defensive and demanding to protect herself from getting hurt. She is
determined to be the one in control and to keep from caring about
anyone. When she moves in with Maime Totter, she immediately focuses on
the bad things. She concentrates on the fact that Totter is barely
literate, and that her foster brother William Ernest seems to be a
little slow at first. She is shocked to find that the neighbor, Mr.
Randolph, is black and yet treated like one of the family. Gilly plots
her escape, and steals from both Mr. Randolph and Totter, but gets
caught at the bus station and must return. She writes a letter to her
absent mother, exaggerating all that she does not accept in the
household to hope for a swift rescue. Despite her efforts to leave
Gilly finds herself growing to care about her new family and even
begins to help them when they need her. Gilly is shocked to find that
her letter to her mother had been received, and that her grandmother
was coming to take her, and raise her. Gilly must now face the
consequences of her earlier actions and learn to understand that life
does not always turn out as we hope.
Remarks: I think that book can appeal to many young
readers. Gilly
has great spunk, a stubborn streak, and a sence of independence that
can keep the interest of many readers. Gilly’s initially gruff manner
is a reflection of her pain from the past and doubt about the future,
which many young readers share. The lessons Gilly learns, of lettering
people in, learning to care for others, and that life might not turn
out perfect but you can still work for happiness, are lessons that many
kids will take heart from and maybe learn something about their own
lives.