i thought this book was awsome! but i have to admit Gilly isnt a good role model she steals things, swaers, and is someone that nobody wants to be around.
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The Great Gilly Hopkins
(1978, Fiction - Family Life, Written by Katherine Paterson)
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Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings(Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version)
Not age appropriate for kids under 8, age appropriate for kids over 11; suggested age 11. -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
A great choice for reluctant readers.
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 11 and Up
What to watch out for
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Violence:
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Sex:
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Language:
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Consumerism:
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Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
About The Great Gilly Hopkins
Parents need to know that this book is highly appealing, especially to kids beginning to rebel against authority. Fresh and inventive writing keeps readers engrossed.
Read our full review by Monica Wyatt
Families Can Talk About
- Families can talk about expectations. Why are Gilly's expectations for her mother so high? How does Gilly try to protect herself from disappointment?
Our Members Say
See all 11 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
- I rate this title iffy for age 9 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Negative role models
good but bad rolemodels.
- I rate this title iffy for age 10 and give itMy concerns are:
- Inappropriate language
- My highlights are:
umm good for 4th to 6 th graders
i think this is a good book very entertaining
- I rate this title on for age 6 and give it
My uncle gave me this book when I turned eight and i loved it. many kids would enjoy
- I rate this title on for age 17 and give it
this is good but races
hi im 12 and im reding this book in school i liked it but when it got to the part about a shriveld up olde black man i new this book was races
- I rate this title iffy for age 11 and give it
Great for discussion with adults, but know your kid
The main character of this book is Gilly a foster child who has been moved around a lot. She struggles with fears, anger, and feeling alone and unloved. She lies, steals, bullies other kids, is prejudiced, and uses profanity. She learns to eventually trust and love her foster family before being removed to live with her grandmother. At the end of the book, she finally meets her biological mother only to find that her mother does not love her and is not interested in living with her. This is a great book for discussion but it may be disturbing for kids reading it on their own. Ages 13+ should be fine reading this book. Ages 11-12 may or may not be okay reading it. Kids 10 and under will probably be disturbed by the themes unless they have a troubled past. My 10 year old was uncomfortable after she read it on her own. She did feel better after we discussed it. I wish we had read it together and discussed it throughout.
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Ratings at a Glance
| 100% | of parents don't feel there are good role models |
| 100% | of parents say it's too violent |
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