Author Megan McDonald recommends The Great Gilly Hopkins by Katherine Paterson. “‘Gilly.’ He said her name as thought it were a whole sentence by itself. Galadriel ‘Gilly’ Hopkins is the best of misfits. Behind that barracuda smile, beneath that tough, wise-cracking exterior, is a real kid with a universal longing we all share—to be a little less alone, to be loved. She will tug at the heart strings, then pull, then capture your heart!”
The Great Gilly Hopkins (Crowell, 1978) is recommended for ages 8-12.
Be sure to check out McDonald’s book Judy Moody & Stink: The Big Bad Blackout (Candlewick Press, 2014), illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds.
Learn more at MeganMcDonald.net, JudyMoody.com, and StinkMoody.com.