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A review by chambecc
The Great Gilly Hopkins by Katherine Paterson
emotional
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Gosh, this book takes me back. I won't lie when I say I absolutely judged this book by its cover when I was younger: the classic cover of the titular character defiantly blowing a giant, pink bubblegum bubble on the cover? I had to find out more!
And while Gilly's penchant for antics like blowing large bubbles are part of the book, it's really about a young, shiftless girl trying to find her bearings in life. This book feels very real, which is I think why some people might be uncomfortable with it - Gilly feels like an actual girl you could meet. She is not very sympathetic or kind at the beginning of the book; she's something of a bully, and she makes racist, mean remarks. But as we learn of her backstory, we also begin to realize that she has a soft side to her - that's when the book really hits its stride. And that maybe Galadriel "Gilly" Hopkins isn't such a cruel girl after all...
Returning to this book all these years later was a ton of fun. I'm really glad I did.
And while Gilly's penchant for antics like blowing large bubbles are part of the book, it's really about a young, shiftless girl trying to find her bearings in life. This book feels very real, which is I think why some people might be uncomfortable with it - Gilly feels like an actual girl you could meet. She is not very sympathetic or kind at the beginning of the book; she's something of a bully, and she makes racist, mean remarks. But as we learn of her backstory, we also begin to realize that she has a soft side to her - that's when the book really hits its stride. And that maybe Galadriel "Gilly" Hopkins isn't such a cruel girl after all...
Returning to this book all these years later was a ton of fun. I'm really glad I did.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism