The Great Gilly Hopkins facts for kids
First edition
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| Author | Katherine Paterson |
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| Country | United States |
| Genre | Children's novel |
| Publisher | Thomas Y. Crowell Co. |
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Publication date
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March 28, 1978 |
| Media type | Print (hardcover and paperback) |
| Pages | 148 pp. (first edition) |
| ISBN | 978-0064402019 |
| OCLC | 3542211 |
| LC Class | PZ7.P273 Gr |
The Great Gilly Hopkins is a popular children's novel written by Katherine Paterson. It tells a realistic story about a young girl's journey to find a place where she belongs. The book was first published in 1978. It quickly became famous, winning the U.S. National Book Award the very next year. In 2012, a survey by School Library Journal ranked it among the top 100 children's novels of all time.
The story was later made into a movie in 2015. It starred Sophie Nélisse as Gilly Hopkins and Kathy Bates as Mrs. Trotter. The book has also been translated into many different languages around the world.
Contents
Story Summary: Gilly's Journey
Galadriel "Gilly" Hopkins is a tough and outspoken 11-year-old girl. She is always moving from one foster home to another. Gilly hates this constant change. All she wants is to live with her birth mother, Courtney Rutherford Hopkins. Gilly secretly keeps a photo of her mother, which she treasures.
Gilly does not like her new foster mom, Mrs. Trotter, at all. She thinks Mrs. Trotter looks like a "fat hippo." Gilly decides she will hate everything about her new life.
Gilly's Escape Plan
Gilly quickly comes up with a plan to run away from Mrs. Trotter. She steals money to help her escape. Gilly believes her mother lives in San Francisco, California. She writes a letter to Courtney, saying her "beloved Galadriel" will be with her soon.
When Gilly tries to run away for the first time, the police catch her. Mrs. Trotter immediately comes to the police station to get her.
A New Home and a Big Surprise
Later, Gilly's grandmother, Nonnie, arrives at Mrs. Trotter's house. Nonnie did not know she had a granddaughter until now. She tells Mrs. Trotter that she will take Gilly home with her.
At this point, Gilly realizes something important. She actually wants to stay with Mrs. Trotter. But the law says Gilly must go with Nonnie. So, Gilly moves to Nonnie's house.
Meeting Her Mother
Then, Gilly gets exciting news: her mother is coming to visit! But when Gilly goes to the airport, she is shocked. Courtney is not like the woman in Gilly's treasured photograph. She has messy hair and acts very selfish.
Gilly also finds out that her mother only came because Nonnie paid her. She did not come because she wanted to see Gilly. For the first time, Gilly understands how wrong she has been about many things. She realizes how much she loves Mrs. Trotter.
The story ends with Gilly on the phone, crying to Mrs. Trotter and begging her to take her back. Mrs. Trotter, in a kind way, gently tells Gilly that her real home is now with Nonnie.
Main Characters
- Maime M. Trotter: She is Gilly's new foster mother. Mrs. Trotter is a kind, large woman who wears glasses. She lives in a small, cozy, and sometimes messy house. People in the foster care system respect her a lot for how well she cares for children.
- William Ernest Teague: He is Gilly's foster brother at Mrs. Trotter's house. William Ernest is seven years old. He has brown hair and glasses. He is often nervous and shy. If people move suddenly, he might duck, as if he expects to be hit. At first, Gilly enjoys teasing him. But over time, she starts to like him. She even helps him learn to read and stand up to bullies. Gilly sometimes calls him W.E.
- Ms. Ellis: She is Gilly's social worker. Ms. Ellis has known Gilly for a while. She is the one who helps Gilly move between different foster homes.
- Mr. Randolph: He is Mrs. Trotter's next-door neighbor. Mr. Randolph is blind and lives alone. He has a very impressive library filled with books. He and Mrs. Trotter are good friends. They eat supper together every night. One of Gilly's jobs is to help Mr. Randolph walk to and from his house.
- Courtney Rutherford Hopkins: She is Gilly's biological mother. Courtney used to be a "flower child." She has not lived with or seen Gilly for most of Gilly's life. She sometimes sends Gilly postcards. Gilly's most important possession is an old photo of her mother with a special message written on it.
- Nonnie Hopkins: She is Gilly's grandmother, and Courtney's mother. Nonnie did not know Gilly existed until Courtney wrote to her. She then agreed to take care of Gilly.
- Agnes Stokes: She is a girl at Gilly's school. Agnes has also had a difficult life, as both her parents left her. She lives with her grandmother. Agnes tries to become friends with Gilly. Gilly does not like her but uses her to help steal Mr. Randolph's money.
- Miss Barbara Harris: She is Gilly's sixth-grade teacher. At first, Gilly finds it very hard to get along with Miss Harris. But eventually, Gilly starts to like her and does well in school. After Gilly moves to Virginia, she stays in touch with Miss Harris. They write letters to each other, even discussing books like Lord of the Rings. Miss Harris says that she and Gilly are alike because they both have strong, sometimes angry, personalities.
Awards and Recognition
The Great Gilly Hopkins has won many important awards. These include:
- The 1979 National Book Award for Young People's Literature
- A 1979 Christopher Award
- The 1979 Jane Addams Children's Book Award
- A 1979 Newbery Honor
It also won several state awards in the U.S.
Movie Adaptation
A movie based on the book was announced in 2013. Stephen Herek directed the film. Kathy Bates played Mrs. Trotter, and Danny Glover also had a big role. In 2014, Sophie Nélisse joined as Gilly Hopkins, along with Glenn Close and Octavia Spencer. Julia Stiles and Bill Cobbs also joined the cast.
Filming began in April 2014 and finished in June 2014. The movie first showed at the SCHLINGEL International Film Festival on October 6, 2015. It was released to the public by Lionsgate Premiere on October 7, 2016.
Stage Adaptation
The novel was turned into a children's musical for the stage in 1996. You can find out more about performing this musical through Samuel French.
