The Great Gilly Hopkins

By Katherine Paterson

A foster child schemes to escape her new, peculiar family, but her plan backfires unexpectedly.

3.9/5 Goodreads · 24,046 ratings

160 pages· 36,281 words· Est. 5 hour read

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Bookroo's summary

Gilly Hopkins, an eleven-year-old foster child known for her sharp wit and rebellious nature, lands with the eccentric Trotter family. Determined to reunite with her real mother, Gilly concocts a daring escape plan. But as her scheme unravels, she faces an unexpected dilemma: could this oddball family be the home she never knew she needed? As Gilly navigates her feelings and the complexities of belonging, she discovers that family might not be what she expected. Will Gilly embrace the Trotters or continue her quest for a different life? Her journey is both heartwarming and eye-opening.

From the publisher

This timeless Newbery Honor Book from bestselling author Katherine Paterson about a wisecracking, ornery, completely unforgettable young heroine. Now a feature film starring Kathy Bates, Glenn Close, and Octavia Spencer! This middle grade novel is an excellent choice for tween readers in grades 5 to 6, especially during homeschooling. It’s a fun way to keep your child entertained and engaged while not in the classroom. 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…–Brightly