Super Short Summary

The Great Gilly Hopkins by Katherine Paterson follows 11-year-old Gilly Hopkins, a tough, intelligent foster child, as she navigates life in a new foster home in Thompson Park, Maryland during the 1970s. Despite her resistance, she begins to form bonds with her foster family, including Maime Trotter, a shy boy named William Ernest, and a kind elderly neighbor, Mr. Randolph. Gilly dreams of reuniting with her biological mother, leading her to scheme and make difficult choices, but ultimately, she learns the true meaning of family and belonging.