Eleven-year-old Galadriel "Gilly" Hopkins is a foster child who uses habitual hostility and clever manipulation to protect herself from emotional vulnerability. Shuffled through several homes in Maryland, she dreams of being rescued by her biological mother, Courtney, whom she envisions as a glamorous savior. After Gilly is placed with Maime Trotter—a large, illiterate, and fiercely affectionate woman—she initially tries to sabotage the household, which includes a fearful boy named William Ernest and an elderly neighbor, Mr. Randolph. Gilly orchestrates a scheme to steal money and run away, but the stable environment and Trotter’s unconditional patience begin to erode her defenses. Her actions eventually bring her grandmother into her life, forcing Gilly to confront the reality that the family she invented in her head is nothing like the people who actually want to care for her.
Middle-grade readers and young adults find this story useful for its unsentimental look at the foster care system and its refusal to offer easy, happy endings. It is written for those who prefer realistic fiction over idealized childhood narratives. Readers walk away with a clear understanding of the difference between biological ties and the commitment required to build a chosen family. The book demonstrates that anger is often a mask for grief and that personal growth involves accepting consequences for one's choices.
Inward-looking, contemplative and thought-provoking; an easy read.
Best for readers like The Empathetic Explorer. Which reader are you?
- Published
- 1978
- Language
- EN
