Comments on: The Great Gilly Hopkins by Katherine Paterson http://blog.mawbooks.com/2009/09/28/the-great-gilly-hopkins-by-katherine-paterson/ Maw Books - book reviews, book recommendations, book lists, author interviews and more! Sat, 21 Nov 2009 04:54:26 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc hourly 1 By: Ladytink_534 http://blog.mawbooks.com/2009/09/28/the-great-gilly-hopkins-by-katherine-paterson/#comment-54110 Ladytink_534 Fri, 02 Oct 2009 08:54:12 +0000 http://blog.mawbooks.com/?p=4030#comment-54110 Not sure if it's because it was banned or not but I don't remember ever hearing about this one before. Sounds like a good story though! Not sure if it’s because it was banned or not but I don’t remember ever hearing about this one before. Sounds like a good story though!

]]> By: Caitie http://blog.mawbooks.com/2009/09/28/the-great-gilly-hopkins-by-katherine-paterson/#comment-54061 Caitie Thu, 01 Oct 2009 15:10:52 +0000 http://blog.mawbooks.com/?p=4030#comment-54061 Another one of my favorites! I love reading your reviews, you make me want to go back and read this book again. I really don't understand why people ban books at all...especially this one! Another one of my favorites! I love reading your reviews, you make me want to go back and read this book again. I really don’t understand why people ban books at all…especially this one!

]]> By: Jennifer @5 Minutes for Books http://blog.mawbooks.com/2009/09/28/the-great-gilly-hopkins-by-katherine-paterson/#comment-53927 Jennifer @5 Minutes for Books Tue, 29 Sep 2009 12:09:46 +0000 http://blog.mawbooks.com/?p=4030#comment-53927 I read this book when I was in school. All I remember is that she was a foster kid, and I think I do remember her being slightly rebellious or something. But you're right -- I think it's all about knowing the content and then deciding if it is right for our child and having the tools to discuss it with them. And sometimes seeing wrong choices in action DOES teach better than a lecture. I read this book when I was in school. All I remember is that she was a foster kid, and I think I do remember her being slightly rebellious or something.

But you’re right — I think it’s all about knowing the content and then deciding if it is right for our child and having the tools to discuss it with them.

And sometimes seeing wrong choices in action DOES teach better than a lecture.

]]> By: Haiku Amy http://blog.mawbooks.com/2009/09/28/the-great-gilly-hopkins-by-katherine-paterson/#comment-53896 Haiku Amy Tue, 29 Sep 2009 05:47:49 +0000 http://blog.mawbooks.com/?p=4030#comment-53896 You make a valid point. All of Gilly's wrong behaviors are addressed. It really makes for a good teaching discussion. It reminded me of something that happened at church a few weeks back. We had a visitor in sacrament meeting who happened to be a black man, and also sitting right in front of us. My son blurted out loud, "look at that black guy with a black head!" Even though I thought my son knew of different races, apparently he hadn't had a close encounter with an African American before. I guess our region is mostly Caucasian. So even though I was super embarrassed, it gave me a chance to have a discussion with my son about it after church. You make a valid point. All of Gilly’s wrong behaviors are addressed. It really makes for a good teaching discussion.

It reminded me of something that happened at church a few weeks back. We had a visitor in sacrament meeting who happened to be a black man, and also sitting right in front of us. My son blurted out loud, “look at that black guy with a black head!” Even though I thought my son knew of different races, apparently he hadn’t had a close encounter with an African American before. I guess our region is mostly Caucasian. So even though I was super embarrassed, it gave me a chance to have a discussion with my son about it after church.

]]> By: Jenn M http://blog.mawbooks.com/2009/09/28/the-great-gilly-hopkins-by-katherine-paterson/#comment-53861 Jenn M Mon, 28 Sep 2009 21:27:25 +0000 http://blog.mawbooks.com/?p=4030#comment-53861 I just bought this book out of my daughter's scholastic catalog. I grabbed it for my Newbery Challenge, which is partially inspired by you, Natasha. I know if I don't make it offical, I will never do it! It amazes me what gets some books banned. Especially when it's things about prejudices that are clearly demonstrating why said prejudice is wrong. The other one that gets me is historically relevant language. I refuse to censor what my kids read in books. I do, however, make sure I know what is going on in a book so we can talk about it if there are questions. I have to share...we were reading <i>Ramona Quimby, age 8</i> by Beverly Cleary and she makes a reference to a typewriter. Both my girls said at almost the same time, "A typewriter? What in the world is that?"...and then I felt reaaaaaaally old! I just bought this book out of my daughter’s scholastic catalog. I grabbed it for my Newbery Challenge, which is partially inspired by you, Natasha. I know if I don’t make it offical, I will never do it!

It amazes me what gets some books banned. Especially when it’s things about prejudices that are clearly demonstrating why said prejudice is wrong. The other one that gets me is historically relevant language. I refuse to censor what my kids read in books. I do, however, make sure I know what is going on in a book so we can talk about it if there are questions.

I have to share…we were reading Ramona Quimby, age 8 by Beverly Cleary and she makes a reference to a typewriter. Both my girls said at almost the same time, “A typewriter? What in the world is that?”…and then I felt reaaaaaaally old!

]]> By: Book Chook http://blog.mawbooks.com/2009/09/28/the-great-gilly-hopkins-by-katherine-paterson/#comment-53857 Book Chook Mon, 28 Sep 2009 20:30:41 +0000 http://blog.mawbooks.com/?p=4030#comment-53857 I find it sad to think of people who have nothing better to do than scuttle round banning things! Gilly sounds great, and I have only heard good things about Katherine Paterson. Another one you might like is The Pinballs, by Betsy Byars. I find it sad to think of people who have nothing better to do than scuttle round banning things! Gilly sounds great, and I have only heard good things about Katherine Paterson. Another one you might like is The Pinballs, by Betsy Byars.

]]> By: Kathleen http://blog.mawbooks.com/2009/09/28/the-great-gilly-hopkins-by-katherine-paterson/#comment-53856 Kathleen Mon, 28 Sep 2009 20:13:06 +0000 http://blog.mawbooks.com/?p=4030#comment-53856 Sounds like a beautiful, heartwarming story! Sounds like a beautiful, heartwarming story!

]]> By: booklogged http://blog.mawbooks.com/2009/09/28/the-great-gilly-hopkins-by-katherine-paterson/#comment-53855 booklogged Mon, 28 Sep 2009 20:11:40 +0000 http://blog.mawbooks.com/?p=4030#comment-53855 Wonderful review, Natasha. I love reading Newberys but hadn't heard of this one. It sounds good and that picture of Gilly on the cover is adorable. I used to teach a high school study skills class that was paid for by the state. All the kids were Youth-In-Custody, which meant they were in foster care. It was so hard on these kids and yet what alternative did they have with their parents in prison? Sad situation. It just breaks my heart. Wonderful review, Natasha. I love reading Newberys but hadn’t heard of this one. It sounds good and that picture of Gilly on the cover is adorable.

I used to teach a high school study skills class that was paid for by the state. All the kids were Youth-In-Custody, which meant they were in foster care. It was so hard on these kids and yet what alternative did they have with their parents in prison? Sad situation. It just breaks my heart.

]]> By: Natasha Maw http://blog.mawbooks.com/2009/09/28/the-great-gilly-hopkins-by-katherine-paterson/#comment-53853 Natasha Maw Mon, 28 Sep 2009 19:10:47 +0000 http://blog.mawbooks.com/?p=4030#comment-53853 Rebecca - No, it doesn't feel dated. I had to go look at the copyright halfway through to see when it was written and I was surprised. Sheila - Better for a parent to discuss issues like this then the neighbor kids. Kids will pick up on things one way or another. Julie - I'm sure you'll both enjoy it and it will give you some things to talk about. Stephanie - I never read this one as a child. It's fun to rediscover books. Word Lily - I have Jacob Have I Loved on my shelf but haven't read it yet. Some day . . . Rebecca – No, it doesn’t feel dated. I had to go look at the copyright halfway through to see when it was written and I was surprised.

Sheila – Better for a parent to discuss issues like this then the neighbor kids. Kids will pick up on things one way or another.

Julie – I’m sure you’ll both enjoy it and it will give you some things to talk about.

Stephanie – I never read this one as a child. It’s fun to rediscover books.

Word Lily – I have Jacob Have I Loved on my shelf but haven’t read it yet. Some day . . .

]]> By: Rebecca Reid http://blog.mawbooks.com/2009/09/28/the-great-gilly-hopkins-by-katherine-paterson/#comment-53820 Rebecca Reid Mon, 28 Sep 2009 14:52:01 +0000 http://blog.mawbooks.com/?p=4030#comment-53820 (sorry, Natasha, I see know where you told us why it was challenged! Must learn how to read...) (sorry, Natasha, I see know where you told us why it was challenged! Must learn how to read…)

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