Product Overview
The Great Gilly Hopkins: Finding A Family And Finding Herself
A touching tale of a young girl's quest for a place to call home but also a rich resource for teaching about themes such as family, belonging, and change
Ordering Books for The Great Gilly Hopkins by Katherine Paterson
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About the Book The Great Gilly Hopkins |
Katherine Paterson's The Great Gilly Hopkins tells the story of Gilly, an 11-year-old foster child bubbling with wit, intelligence, and a sharp tongue. Gilly’s been moved from one foster home to another, and she enters each situation with a tough façade, believing she doesn't need anyone — especially not her latest foster family, the Trotters. The Trotters, especially the matriarch, Mamie Trotter, are nothing like Gilly expects. Their humble home and unconditional love are foreign to her. Gilly initially conjures a plan to escape from the Trotters, hoping to reunite with her biological mother. However, as she starts forming connections with those around her, including her new foster brother, her blind neighbor Mr. Randolph, and her classmate Agnes, Gilly begins to reconsider the meaning of family and belonging. Paterson expertly weaves humor with hardship, bringing readers into Gilly's internal struggle and her growth as a character. The novel challenges preconceptions about what makes a family and encourages readers to consider the impact of the human connection. The Great Gilly Hopkins is a National Book Award winner.
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Themes in the book The Great Gilly Hopkins |
Family and Belonging: The book raises the question of what truly defines family. Gilly learns that family goes beyond biological ties—it's about who stands by you when you need them most. Adaptation and Change: Gilly shows her resistance to change, her initial adaptability for the sake of survival, and eventually, her genuine adaptation driven by love and understanding. Prejudice: The book touches on the theme of prejudice, not just racial or social, but also an internal prejudice that Gilly harbors against herself and her circumstances. Identity: Glimpses of identity formation run throughout the book, as Gilly explores who she is and who she wants to become in the context of her varied life experiences.
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Activity Ideas for the book The Great Gilly Hopkins |
Character Development Essay: Have students write an essay on Gilly's character development, citing specific incidents in the book that contributed to her growth. Family Tree Project: Students can create a "family tree" that includes both blood-related and chosen family members from the story, discussing the importance of each relationship. Debate on Themes: Organize a debate around the book's prevalent themes, such as nature vs. nurture, to engage students in critical thinking and discussion. Prejudice Awareness Discussion: Hold a classroom discussion on prejudice and stereotypes, guided by how they are presented in the book, to foster empathy and awareness. Social Worker's Point of View: Invite a guest speaker, such as a social worker, to provide insight into the foster care system and lead a discussion on how it's portrayed through Gilly's story. Creative Writing Assignment: Students can write a short story imagining Gilly's life after the book's end, predicting how her experiences will shape her future.
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